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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
2/12/2008
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
July 27, 2008 (Sunday) - 2:20 pm (ET) - ESPN
Age ain't nothing but a number
The huge difference between Mark Martin and the number of other older drivers in the NASCAR series is that Mark Martin has remained competitive since the day he drove the #6 car for Roush Fenway Racing. It doesn't take a statistician to show you the numbers straight up. Just watch a single race that Mark is competing in and you will see a 50 year old driver (January 9, 2009) that is racing up front with drivers that are a half his age. Not only is Mark wise with age, but he is intelligent enough to know that a full-time ride with Hendrick Motorsports for the 2009 season may be his last chance to go for the NASCAR Sprint Championship Cup. Almost everybody in the NASCAR world would agree that Mark Martin deserves it more than any other driver out there.
Front Line Finishers
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 1st
The only time Kyle Busch does not run well in a car is if someone else is driving. If you have taken notice, a lot of the boo's that has been following Kyle each and every race has slowly changed to cheers. Now all you hear is just a bunch of yelling. Take another bow Kyle, you are winning races and winning over fans. Kyle has raced at IMS three times in his very short career and has 3 Top 10's.
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 6th
Dude, win a race already. I think Jeff needs to stop being the poster child of perfect manners in racing and shake things up a bit. Other drivers are pushing him out of the way to take his spot and he needs to push back. Jeff has success at almost every track on the NASCAR circuit, but can't seem to find victory lane this season. Jeff finished 3rd last year at the Brickyard and holds 4 wins for his fourteen starts. Hopefully Jeff will find his nerve this Sunday and get a chance to embrace the bricks at Indianapolis.
Kevin Harvick
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 9th
Believe it or not, the Brickyard is shaping out to be a track that Kevin is really good at. Kevin has a mere 7 starts with 5 Top 10's and a win in 2003. Kevin may not win the Cup this season, but he is going to look good trying with repeated Top 10's.
Tony Stewart
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 10th
I think Tony's transition to Stewart CNC Racing was the smoothest this year. There wasn't too much hype that preceded the merger and now it just speculation on what Tony's new team can produce next year. I said it last week and I will say it again, late season wins are typical for Smoke, so Tony get the Home Depot car up front this weekend and keep it there. Tony is the race winner from last year.
Last Lap Challengers
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 13th
Clint really did head out this season with really strong finishes, but it seem like the hectic schedule of the NASCAR circuit both Sprint and Nationwide may be tiring him a bit. Clint finished 4th in 2006 at IMS, but 13th the following year out of just two starts. If he can muster up the energy, he may just be able to get a Top 10.
Juan Pablo Montoya
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 20th
It might be a really big stretch giving Juan the chance to run well at the brickyard again because of his 2nd place finish last year, but crazier things have happened there. Pick Juan for your fantasy roster as a last resort if you are left with nobody else.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Martin Truex Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Standings: 17th
Martin and crew begged for a second chance to reverse the decision of his latest penalty and the appeal was denied. Denial will be something Martin will have to get used to this week. Last year at the brickyard, Martin almost cracked the Top 10 with a 12th place finish, but with three starts and an average finish of 24th, don't look for a repeat.
Elliott Sadler
Gillett Evernham Motorsports - Dodge
Point Standings: 23rd
The Gillett Evernham teams have been making some strides to become more competitive in the Sprint series lately, but Elliott has not been reaping all the rewards. Elliott has tried to find success at IMS, but out of nine tries and only a pole, a Top 5 and a Top 10, he is looking at an 11% chance of getting back up front.
Track Stats
Indianapolis Motor Speedway (Indianapolis, IN) - IMS
Allstate 400 at the Brickyard
(Sister Flat Tracks - Pocono, Las Vegas, Phoenix, & New Hampshire)
Allstate 400
(July 29, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Tony Stewart
2. Juan Pablo Montoya
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Kyle Busch
5. Reed Sorenson
6. Mark Martin
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Jeff Burton
9. Dave Blaney
10.Matt Kenseth
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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