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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
7/10/2008
LifeLock.com 400
July 12, 2008 (Saturday) - 6:30 pm (ET) - TNT
Sonnet of Speed
Forty three drivers are ready to race,
All chancing their luck trying to finish first,
Only one has the pole to set the pace,
If they come in last, they finish the worst.
Lap by lap cars operate at top speed,
Steering clear of the walls through every turn,
Passing and passing to try for the lead,
Maintaining every position they earn.
Who will take the checkered flag at the end,
And celebrate in victory lane?
The driver who is first at the last bend,
That has shown he/she is the driver to reign.
If you win in NASCAR, you've beat the best,
Take your trophy for defeating the rest.
Front Line Finishers
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 5th
Jimmie statistics at CS are averaging one race short than most of his peers, but that has not hindered his impressive performance. Jimmie has 6 starts with a remarkable 4 Top 5's and 5 Top 10's. Oh, and a pole. The only thing left for Jimmie to complete his circle of achievement is a win.
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 9th
Um, someone clear this one up for me. What great feats got Matt into 9th in points for the chase? I thought Jeff Burton was sneaky with his under toned success, but Matt nearly scared the stuff out of me. I don't know how Matt does it, but it looks like he will be making the chase again this year. Matt's record at CS is normal, but definitely not average. Out of 7 starts he has 2 Top 5's and 3 Top 10's. Maybe Matt could also be looking for his first win at Chicago.
Tony Stewart
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 12th
Good-bye to you. Tony is making his way towards the owner/driver arena next season with Haas CNC Racing. I say good luck and hope you can get some good drivers for your new team. Will it be Stewart Haas Racing or CNC Stewart Motorsports? Tony ditched his ride last weekend at Daytona, but hopefully he is feeling up to the challenge this Saturday at Chicago because he runs pretty well there. Tony has 7 starts with a whopping 5 Top 5's and 10's with 2 wins.
Kevin Harvick
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 13th
Kevin is ranked number one for the best average finish at CS (8th). His success at this track may be what he needs to put him into the chase for the Sprint Cup. Kevin is tied with Tony Stewart for the most wins (2) with 7 starts as well.
Last Lap Challengers
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 10th
Clint runs positively well at Chicagoland Speedway for having only two starts. In 2006 he finished 9th and in 2007 he finished 10th.
Reed Sorenson
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 32nd
Reed in another driver like Clint Bowyer who has only had two starts at Chicago's 1.5 mile track with absolute success. Reed finished 7th in 2006 and 12th in 2007.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Kasey Kahne
Gillett Evernham Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 8th
I really pray that I am wrong about Kasey's expected performance at Chicago. Kasey is only 33 points away from being 13th in the points and being out of contention for the Sprint Cup. Kasey if you pull out a Top 10 this weekend, I will not write another negative thing about you the rest of the season. Kasey's record at CS right now is 4 starts with a best finish of 23rd.
Martin Truex Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Standings: 18th
Poor unfortunate driver. Martin got docked 150 driver points and his crew chief is suspended. Are teams really cheating or are they just alternating who gets to suck at matching a stock car to a template. At minimal, most teams has 36 races, 2 cars per race, which equals 72 chances to make a mistake. I guess penalties will just have to cycle through the garage until everybody gets hit. Martin your chances for the Cup were nearly depleted with your recent penalty and now with your lack luster performance at CS (2 starts with both finishes outside the Top 15), all I have to say is, "Better luck next year."
Track Stats
Chicagoland Speedway (Joliet, IL) - CS
LifeLock.com 400
(Sister Intermediate Tracks - Atlanta, Lowe's, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas Dover, Darlington, Michigan & Texas)
USG Sheetrock 400
(July 15, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Tony Stewart
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Carl Edwards
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Casey Mears
6. Kurt Busch
7. Jeff Burton
8. Ryan Newman
9. Jeff Gordon
10. Clint Bowyer
Reader Board
"Is Joe Gibbs Racing actually thinking about putting Joey Logano in the #20 once Tony Stewart abandons it in 2008?"
Matt - Pennsylvania
If Joe Gibbs put Joey Logano into the #20 Home Depot car full-time next year, I think he is making a huge mistake. Joe Gibbs needs to fill that ride with a seasoned driver and give Joey an opportunity to race in the Cup Series for a very few and specially selected tracks. Anymore than that and JGR is looking at disaster.
Post questions & comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ben Roethlisberger Won't Request Further Reduction
(9/3 12:41 AM PT)
The Facts:
Roethlisberger and team president Art Rooney II will meet with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell Friday morning in New York, but they will not be politicking to have his suspension reduced beyond two games, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has learned.
Diehards Line:
Reports have suggested that Rooney is accompanying Roethlisberger to the meeting to have his suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy reduced from six games to three games. But that is not the case. "That door is not open," a source who is familiar with the meeting told Post-Gazette Gerry Dulac. ... This news comes after a number of observers suggested that such a request might not go over well with Goodell -- the sole arbiter of Roethlisberger's fate.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Michael Bush Could Miss Up To Six Weeks
(9/2 8:00 PM PT)
The Facts:
Based on what information is available regarding the fractured thumb of RB Michael Bush, Tribune staffer Jerry McDonald reports it’s highly unlikely Bush will be ready to play in the opener and could miss up to a quarter of the season or more.
Diehards Line:
HC Tom Cable confirmed the thumbe was fractured and said on Monday “he’ll need a procedure on it, and whether that keeps him out or not remains to be seen.” Cable has since declined to discuss the injury and wouldn’t confirm the surgery had taken place. McDonald, however, consulted with an othepedic surgeon familiar with the procedure who suggested a 4-to-6 week recovery period. If Bush were to be out four weeks from the time of surgery, he would be available to practice for the in the days preceding the Houston Texans game on Oct. 3 in Week 4. Six weeks would mean Bush could be ready to face the 49ers on On Oct. 6 in Week 6. ... Stay tuned. We'll continue to watch for more on this one.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Report: Big Ben To Request 3-Game Suspension
(9/1 3:55 PM PT)
The Facts:
In their meeting scheduled for Friday, Roethlisberger's representatives plan to ask commissioner Roger Goodell to reduce the six-game suspension by at least three games, bringing along team president Arthur J. Rooney II to the New York meeting to support the QB's case.
Diehards Line:
Goodell has made it clear he would consider reducing the length of the suspension if Roethlisberger complied with a number of league imposed conditions, including a comprehensive behavioral evaluation, and stayed clear of any other off field problems. As ESPN's Sal Paolantonio notes, most observers believe Goodell has had in his mind all along to reduce the suspension by two games to four. But Roethlisberger's attorney, David Cornwell, is expected to ask for a greater reduction in the suspension. ... Stay tuned. Some reduction seems all but certain. It'll be interesting to see how Roethlisberger's request is met by the commissioner.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Redskins Place Malcolm Kelly On IR
(8/31 11:54 AM PT)
The Facts:
HC Mike Shanahan said the team will place injury-plagued WR Malcolm Kelly on injured reserve Tuesday, ending the third-year player's season because of a recurring hamstring problem.
Diehards Line:
Kelly, who practiced just three times during training camp and the preseason, suffered a setback during Monday's workout, his first since July 30. Further evaluation showed that he would likely miss six weeks, Shanahan said. The Redskins could have released Kelly Tuesday, reaching an injury settlement. By putting him on injured reserve, they retain his rights for the future. Shanahan, though, made it clear that Kelly is guaranteed nothing with the Redskins -- even after his hamstring heals.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Buccaneers Release Derrick Ward
(8/31 11:03 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Buccaneers have cut Ward and WR Terrence Nunn. HC Raheem Morris announced the roster moves after Tuesday's practice.
Diehards Line:
Morris said that Ward, who signed to a lucrative, four-year, $17 million deal in 2009, didn't fit the long-term plan for the Buccaneers. Second-year pro Kareem Huggins, a 2009 undrafted free agent out of Hofstra, beat out Ward for the backup spot to starter Carnell "Cadillac" Williams. In three presesaon games Huggins has run for 97 yards on 19 carries (5.1 average) with two receptions for 16 yards. Huggins brings more speed and big-play ability to the Buccaneers backup running back position.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Owen Daniels Officially Off The PUP List
(8/30 8:14 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Texans announced Monday that Daniels has passed a physical and has been removed from the active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Diehards Line:
This allows Daniels to resume practicing with the team less than two weeks before the regular-season opener against Indianapolis. While that's good news, we'll remind you that HC Gary Kubiak said on Sunday the best-case scenario for Daniels, coming off a torn ACL, is probably that he plays 15-20 snaps against the Colts in Week 1. Those who are able might want to watch his progress this week before investing on draft day.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Michael Bush To Have Surgery; Could Play Week 1
(8/29 7:10 PM PT)
The Facts:
Bush will undergo surgery on his broken left thumb Monday and could be back in time for the season opener.Bush broke the thumb when he was hit on the hand by a helmet on his final carry Saturday night against San Francisco.
Diehards Line:
HC Tom Cable said Sunday there was a "good chance" Bush would be ready to play Sept. 12 in Tennessee and that he would likely not need a cast on the finger. ... Bush led the team with 589 yards rushing last season and was expected to do even more this season now that Justin Fargas has been released. Bush and Darren McFadden will share the bulk of the running load this season, although both have now been hampered by injuries in the preseason.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jason Campbell's Wrist Injury Of More Concern Than Shoulder
(8/29 7:09 PM PT)
The Facts:
Campbell's stinger that knocked him out of the exhibition loss to the 49ers does not appear to be serious, HC Tom Cable said. But Campbell hurt his right wrist on the previous series in the game, which is more of an immediate concern. He underwent an MRI on Sunday and will be evaluated again later this week.
Diehards Line:
"Usually I recover pretty fast," Campbell said after the game. "Right now there's no timetable. The thing is just to improve and continue to keep getting better. We don't know the timetable or anything, but at the same time, I haven't really missed any time before. ..." Campbell led Oakland to a touchdown on the opening drive for the second straight week, completing all four of his passes for 67 yards. But the Raiders did not get another first down with Campbell in the game.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ben Roethlisberger To Meet With Goodell Next Week
(8/29 5:45 PM PT)
The Facts:
According to FOXSports insider Jay Glazer, Roethlisberger will meet with commissioner Roger Goodell following next Thursday's pre-season game. Goodell will make a final determination on Roethlisberger's suspension, which currently stands at six games. It could be reduced to four.
Diehards Line:
The report indicates that Goodell will inform Roethlisberger and the Steelers of his decision in advance of the regular-season opener. There have been indications -- including comments by Goodell suggesting that Roethlisberger has gone above and beyond in his efforts to meet the requirements necessary -- the suspension will indeed be reduced. ... Stay tuned. We'll be obviously be watching for the official announcement.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Rams Place Donnie Avery On IR
(8/29 5:44 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Rams announced that Avery, who suffered a torn ACL in last Thursday's win over the Patriots, has been placed on the injured reserve list.
Diehards Line:
The move, which officially ends Avery's season, comes as no real surprise. HC Steve Spagnuolo made no secret of the fact it was a season-ending injury on Friday. The only real question remains unanswered, however: Who replaces Avery as the starter opposite Laurent Robinson? Danny Amendola and Mardy Gilyard were the first candidates mentioned by the coach, who also suggested Keenan Burton as a possibility. Others on the roster included Brandon Gibson, Danario Alexander, Dominique Curry, Jordan Kent and Brandon McRae.
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