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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
8/8/2007
Road Racing Righteousness and Repercussions
Centurion Boats at the Glen
Good thing Robby Gordon only got fined and put on probation for his semi-menacing acts at the Montreal race last Saturday in the Busch Series because as we all know, Robby is one of the better road course racers. I myself am not fluent in NASCAR rules and regulations, but I watched the race live on ESPN and I thought that he got a raw deal. Even with the controversy, you have to admit that with Robby Gordon’s actions, he did make the race more interesting. And given Robby’s past reputation, he is sure to excite the NASCAR community at least once a season (Remember the roll bar padding last season?). Robby Gordon has to watch his driving this weekend at Watkins Glen International (WGI) because one more mess up will land him suspended indefinitely. On a different kind of interesting topic, only 48 drivers are set to try to qualify for the race this weekend. Do the math and only 5 unlucky drivers will not make the field. My guess on the 5 who will be going home are, A.J. Allmendinger, Klaus Graf, Jeremy Mayfield, Kenny Wallace and maybe Ward Burton. All of the pre-mentioned drivers have a chance, but a small one. Lets see how qualify pays out on Friday.
Correction to last weekend’s article prediction, Kyle Busch will be taking over the #18 at Joe Gibbs Racing and not taking over the #8 at DEI/Ginn Racing. I guess Joe Gibbs feeds off of controversial, attitude-having drivers.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jeff Gordon (1st) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – If you have used Jeff Gordon too many times this season for your Fantasy League, than shame on you. Well, I really can’t say that because no matter what race you pick Jeff for, I am sure you came out with a lot of points for your Fantasy Team. Well, this weekend will be no different. Jeff holds the record for the most wins (4) of the active driver roster at Watkins Glen and you should be looking for him to finish at least in the Top 5 or better.
Ricky Rudd (26th) Yates Newman Haas Lanigan Racing – Ford – I don’t usually put a driver that is pretty much driving after their prime in my Top 4 unless it is Mark Martin, but I have a good feeling about Ricky this weekend. He might be a little rusty, no phun to the eldest Wallace retired driver, but I think that he has gotten his proverbial engines well oiled and might give us a great show on Sunday. Ricky does have 2 wins at Watkins Glen and averages a Top 10 finish about half the time. Last time out he raced here he finished 16th in 2005, so he is totally due for his next Top 10.
Tony Stewart (5th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – The great thing about Tony is he is a late bloomer. If you have been following him for the last 2 season you pretty much know when to expect him to put the pedal to the metal. This road course will give him another chance to prove his worth and solidify his spot in the chase for the Nextel Cup. No more worries for him like last season, Tony is in and there is nothing any other driver can do about it. Tony has engraved his driving ability in the groves at WGI by securing 3 wins, 4 Top 5’s and 6 Top 10’s out of 8 starts.
Juan Pablo Montoya (18th) Chip Ganassi/Sabates Racing – Dodge – Juan has never run at Watkins Glen, but with his past success at Mexico and how well everybody knows he runs at road courses, you have a sure fit for Juan in your Fantasy League. His teammates just need to watch their back end when the laps start getting short.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Robby Gordon (29th) Robby Gordon Motorsports – Ford – Robby is here because not only is he known for his road course racing ability, but due to last weekend’s misconduct at Montreal, he is looking to prove that he can win a road course all on his own without the controversy of a dual donut competition with Kevin Harvick. Robby has raced at WGI only a mere 8 times and has come out with 6 Top 5’s and 6 Top 10’s.
Boris Said (50th) No Fear Racing – Ford – Boris is synonymous will road course racing. If there is a race with more than 4 turns, you bet that Boris will be driving in it. Lucky for Boris, this race at WGI has 11 turns and he will be spending his time driving in the Top 5 the entire 90 laps.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Kurt Busch (12th) Penske Racing – Dodge – Thank goodness that Kurt got his first win this season last weekend at Pocono because this weekend is going to put him back in 13th place in points for the chase for the Nextel Cup. I hate to say it, but Dale Earnhardt Jr. runs better on road courses and will be getting the 12th place in points back from Kurt. During the last race at WGI Dale Jr. finished one spot better (18th) than the older Busch brother and that will be all Dale needs to be back on the bubble. Look at last weekend’s finish, one spot is all the guys on the bubble in contention for the chase need to get in.
Greg Biffle (16th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – I really feel for the guy. Greg, if any other driver really does give his all when he is on the track. It seems like he is adapting to the Matt Kenseth way of driving. Greg does however have a problem with learning the turns on a road course. Greg will definitely be a lap down at WGI, because every time he has been here he has finished in the Top 30 or worse.
Track Stats
Watkins Glen International (Watkins Glen, NY)
Centurion Boats at the Glen (90 Laps)
August 12, 2007 (Sunday) – 2:00 pm – ESPN
(Sister Road Courses – Infineon Raceway)
AMD at the Glen
(August 13, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Tony Stewart
3. Jamie McMurray
4. Robby Gordon
5. Carl Edwards
6. Scott Pruett
7. Elliott Sadler
8. Ryan Newman
9. Kyle Busch
10. Denny Hamlin
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Our latest Cheat Sheets updated constantly through September.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Marvin Harrison Denies Involvement In Shooting
(5/13 12:31 AM PT)
The Facts:
Harrison assured the Indianapolis Colts he was not involved in a shooting last month in his hometown of Philadelphia. Owner Jim Irsay said Monday he hopes that's the case. "At this point I'm keeping my fingers crossed," Irsay said. "We've done everything we could do in our diligence to try to discern what happened. He said he was not involved in that shooting and. ... The authorities have said there is nothing imminent."
Diehards Line:
Irsay said the Colts' security department has been in contact with NFL security in Philadelphia as well as with Philadelphia law enforcement. ... To review: A gun that Harrison owned has been linked to the shooting in which a man suffered a gunshot wound to his hand and a small boy was cut on the face by flying glass from a windshield. Six of the bullet casings found at the April 29 shooting near Harrison's car wash were from his gun, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported last week. But Harrison is not considered a suspect at this time.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Terrell Owens Happy With Situation In Dallas
(5/13 12:21 AM PT)
The Facts:
Owens' contract situation has been a backburner subject this offseason, as the team has dealt with the draft, getting Zach Thomas and Pacman Jones in the fold, and working on extensions with unsigned, but protected veterans Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin. So could there be a problem, with the star receiver's deal expiring at the end of the season? Owens says no.
Diehards Line:
"I definitely want to end my career with the Dallas Cowboys, and go into the Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy," Owens, who told DMN staffer Albert Breer that he's got "3-5 years" left in the game, said. He also mentioned that getting a ring is what really matters at this stage of his career. And he believes the group to get it done in 2008 is there. "No doubt," Owens said. "The makeup is there. ... We're a step closer every year. We're ready."
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Patriots Meet With Kevin Jones; Nothing Imminent
(5/13 12:18 AM PT)
The Facts:
Last week, New England very quietly hosted a visit -– and no team can do things as quietly as the Patriots -- with Kevin Jones, whom Detroit released in March.
Diehards Line:
According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, Jones appears to be a couple of months away from recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered late last season, but he is far enough along that the Patriots brought him in for a look. Schefter believes there are teams that think Jones will be able to contribute in training camp, others wonder if he will miss the start of the season due to his knee injury.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Randy McMichael Happy With New OC
(5/13 12:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
No Rams player may be more excited about Al Saunders being OC than McMichael. "As soon as I found what was going on and they had hired coach Saunders, I got really excited," McMichael said. "This is the kind of offense that I have dreamed my whole career of playing in."
Diehards Line:
Saunders has a reputation for making the tight end an integral part of his passing attack. Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez averaged 80 catches per season in his six seasons with Saunders calling the offensive plays. Under Saunders, Washington's Chris Cooley caught 57 passes for 734 yards and two touchdowns in 2006 and 66 passes for 786 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007. "He said the funniest thing to me the first time I met him," McMichael said of Saunders. "He said, 'I've had a Pro Bowl tight end eight straight years."' Now, the pressure is on McMichael to keep that streak going.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Roddy White Skips Final Workout With Sore Hamstring
(5/12 7:24 PM PT)
The Facts:
White was held out of practice Monday after a slight hamstring problem Sunday afternoon. "Roddy tweaked his hamstring," HC Mike Smith said. "It's just precautionary. We don't want to put ourselves in a position with a guy this time of year that may hurt himself more by going out there."
Diehards Line:
White said he's been working hard to stay healthy with the offseason weight program and looks forward to building on his career season from 2007. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable," he said. "I just have to go out there and continue to work hard and continue to get better every day. If you ain't getting better, you're getting worse." We're looking for White to continue getting better, but much of his success will depend on the team's quarterback.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Robbie Gould Signs 5-Year Extension With Bears
(5/12 6:32 PM PT)
The Facts:
Gould on Monday signed a five-year contract extension with the Bears that runs through the 2013 season. Terms were not disclosed.
Diehards Line:
Gould is the most accurate field goal kicker in Bears history among those with at least 50 attempts, having connected on 84 of 99 tries (84.8 percent) in three seasons. In 2007, Gould made 31 of 36 field goals (86.1), including 17 of 18 (94.4) over the final seven games. His only miss during that stretch, a 48-yard attempt, was blocked. Gould also owns Bears records with 26 straight field goals from Dec. 25, 2005-Nov. 19, 2006 and 22 straight games with a field goal from Oct. 23, 2005-Nov. 6, 2006.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Joe Horn Would Prefer Trade To Reserve Role
(5/12 1:34 PM PT)
The Facts:
Horn said Monday that he would like to be traded instead of remaining with the team as a "just-in-case guy." Horn said he had not approached the team yet about his desire to be dealt but that him and/or his agent would in the near future. When told of Horn's remarks, general manager Thomas Dimitroff said: "He is still part of our team and we still see a future for him here."
Diehards Line:
Horn said that he would be professional for as long as he remains with the Falcons. He said he hopes the Falcons will push to deal him to a team who values him as a contributor. ... During five, just-completed mini-camp workouts -- and during a pre-draft minicamp in April -- Laurent Robinson replaced Horn in the starting lineup alongside Roddy White. Michael Jenkins and rookie Harry Douglas also took reps this weekend, which could have prompted Horn to feel as if he was being pushed down the depth chart. Brian Finneran, Eric Weems and Adam Jennings are also vying to be among the five-to-six wide receivers retained.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ravens Mulling Use Of 3-WR Set As Base Formation
(5/12 11:31 AM PT)
The Facts:
One of the questions heading into Ravens mini-camp was the pecking order of the WRs. But Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams and Mark Clayton aren't battling against each other. They are teaming up in pursuit of a common goal. If this unit plays up to expectations, there is a possibility the Ravens could use three wide receivers as their primary formation. "It's not a possibility. It will happen," Mason said. "Using three wides is not far-fetched with the three guys that we have."
Diehards Line:
Whether it was injuries or just former HC Brian Billick's scheme last season, the Ravens rarely spread out defenses. Of the Ravens' 557 passes thrown last season, only 39 percent came in a three-wide alignment. New OC coordinator Cam Cameron wants to be unpredictable and will change up the formations as well as the personnel groupings. "If we had to start a game today, three wide receivers might be our starting group," Cameron said.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Steven Jackson Setting Modest Goals, Looking For More
(5/12 12:21 AM PT)
The Facts:
Last June, Jackson announced he was shooting for 2,500 total yards from scrimmage. He wound up with about half that, rushing for 1,002 yards and adding 271 receiving yards in 12 games. He missed four games with injuries, and the Rams tumbled to 3-13 and last place in the NFC West. "My goal right now until (training camp in) July is to (learn) this offense, so I can play fast," Jackson said. "When I'm playing fast, I know what I'm doing."
Diehards Line:
Assuming he -- and his offensive line -- avoid the injuries that caused so many problems last year, Jackson, heading into the final year of his rookie contract, figures he can rebuild his stats and enhance his bargaining power at the same time. A monster season would push Jackson, 24, even further up the potential-earnings chart, and he's counting on putting up big numbers. "Well, we all know what happens in a contract year: you ball out," he said with a laugh. "So, I expect to."
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Michael Turner Among Falcons On The Mend
(5/11 12:24 PM PT)
The Facts:
Several veteran players recovering from injuries took part in the Falcons' first mandatory mini-camp on Saturday. Turner (shoulder) participated in most drills after being medically withheld from a voluntary mini-camp in April.
Diehards Line:
Turner had surgery on the shoulder earlier this year and is expected to be fully recovered before training camp. ... Meanwhile, QB D.J. Shockley and WR Brian Finneran, both trying to make comebacks from season-ending knee injuries, went through the majority of the dual practice sessions. For Finneran, who wore a heavy brace on his right knee, just going through a non-contact practice is a huge step. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in consecutive years during practice. He last played in 2005.
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