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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
8/14/2008
3M Performance 400
August 17, 2008 (Sunday) - 2:20 pm (ET) - TNT
Announcement of an Announcement
Why do NASCAR teams feel it is important to announce the future announcement of a decision that was made in their organization? Announcing the announcement just did all the work for you and now you don't need that extra press hearing at the end of the week to repeat the same thing you just said. Is it redundancy or responsibility to the public to make sure that we are clear on their intentions?
It's also funny too that most speculation about the future of drivers or team members or sponsors is pretty much true from the first rumor. You hear a lot of people saying that they don't wish to comment because nothing has been discussed so far or things aren't finalized and they haven't made that announcement of an announcement, but the reality is already apparent to the rest of the NASCAR world. So if a rumor is going around that Casey Mears is looking at going to Childress next year, then he probably is and there should be no questions about it, just an announcement.
Front Line Finishers
Carl Edwards
Roush Fenway Racing Motorsports - Ford
Point Standings: 2nd
By the division of wins alone, Carl (4 wins) is half as good at Kyle Busch (8 wins). Carl just might reduce that division by one and be 62.5% as good as Kyle this Sunday because Carl is Michigan's leader for best average finish by averaging a 7th place finish out of the 8 races he has completed in the Motor City. Carl backs that up with finishing 7th the last two times he raced at the D-shaped track.
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 3rd
It seems like the wins Jimmie has earned this season were some of the hardest he has ever had to do. If Jimmie does win this Sunday, then he will definitely have his work cut out for him. Jimmie runs well at MIS, but not consistently enough to consider him for a race winner. Jimmie has raced at the two mile track 13 times and has been denied a win for nearly seven years.
Tony Stewart
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 7th
Tony said he was very happy with finishing 2nd to his Joe Gibbs teammate Kyle Busch last weekend at The Glen, but who doesn't want to win every race. Tony might not take the checkered again this weekend, but if he is happy with being a runner up, then that is just what he may be on Sunday. Tony finished in the Top 10 for the races this June and in August of last year.
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing Motorsports - Ford
Point Standings: 12th
If I were asked to guess the winner of the race this Sunday and put a little money on it, it would be Matt Kenseth. I don't usually bet with my hard earned income, but Matt is so much of a sure thing that I am willing to put a few dollars on his chance of winning. Matt has two wins already at MIS and an impressive 8 Top 5's and 12 Top 10's.
Matt's last two races at Michigan left him in the Top 5.
Last Lap Challengers
Martin Truex Jr.
Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 16th
It was a toss up between Martin and David Ragan for one of the spots in the last lap challengers category, but Martin has raced at MIS two more times than David and has two Top 5's and two Top 10's out of five starts. He finished 2nd in the August race last season.
Brian Vickers
Red Bull Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 17th
Brian hasn't been making too many headlines lately, but with two Top 10 finishes in the last two races at Michigan, he will be making some news on Sunday.
Bottom 35 Feeders
Juan Pablo Montoya
Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge
Point Standings: 22nd
Juan does have some road course skills, but Michigan International Speedway covers only two miles and has only 4 turns. Juan has attempted to perform well at MIS three times so far but he can't finish any better than 26th.
Clint Bowyer
Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 13th
Back in June at MIS, Clint was a contender for the chase and now he is 22 points out of the Top 12. It doesn't look like Clint will be making his way back into the chase this Sunday. Clint's best finish out of five attempts at Michigan is 16th last August.
Track Stats
Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, MI) - MIS
3M Performance 400
(Sister Tracks - Lowe's, California, Texas, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Homestead-Miami, Darlington, & Atlanta)
3M Performance
(August 21, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Kurt Busch
2. Martin Truex Jr.
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Matt Kenseth
5. Denny Hamlin
6. Dave Blaney
7. Carl Edwards
8. Brian Vickers
9. Bobby Labonte
10. Tony Stewart
LifeLock 400
(June 15, 2008)
Top 10 Results
1. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
2. Kasey Kahne
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Brian Vickers
5. Tony Stewart
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Carl Edwards
8. David Ragan
9. Elliott Sadler
10. Jamie McMurray
Reader Board
"How many points does a driver get for wins when the chase starts?"
Ayden - Iowa
A driver is awarded 10 points for every win they acquire during the 26 races before the chase. If you do the math, Kyle Busch is already 80 points ahead.
-NASCAR Natalie
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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