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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
8/22/2007
Another Rainy Night
Sharpie 500
Talk about anticlimactic. I rearranged my schedule for two days due to the rain delays in order to watch the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Michigan live and after 200 laps that was all I got? At least the NASCAR schedule will follow up a flop with a home run race at Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS). There is going to be nothing but action the whole time and a lot of hard wheel racing that will keep you in your seats at the track or glued to your television set. Not to mention that the 43 drivers will be racing under the lights on the newly paved half mile track. Any sort of rain delay at Bristol will be worth the wait because the local forecast depicts that there is a chance of scattered thunder storms expected through out the day.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jeff Gordon (1st) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – At the conclusion of last weekend’s race, Jeff has for some unknown reason, given up the glory by spinning out. You know first time shame on you, but there will not be a second time to put shame on Jeff. Even though Jeff has solidified a place in the chase already with 3 races to go, he is going to secure another Top 5 here at Bristol. Jeff has the most wins at BMS (5) out of the active driver roster.
Jeff Burton (7th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – For the spring race, I knew he was good enough to be an underdog and Jeff did not let me down because he finished 2nd this last race and 9th the race before that. He far exceeded a predicted Top 15 and Jeff will do that again this weekend. It is rumored that the #31 car will not be sporting the AT&T logo for this race.
Kevin Harvick (10th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – Kevin does not have to worry about dancing with the #42 car at BMS because the driver of the #42 car sucks at Bristol. Kevin is just fantastic at Bristol. He has raced the high banked track 13 times and sports 7 Top 5’s and 9 Top 10’s. Kevin has taken the checkered flag only once, but he will be trying to add to that this weekend.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (13th) Dale Earnhardt Incorporated - Chevrolet – Dale performs pretty decent at Bristol, but he will be pulling out all the stops this Saturday because he is only a few short races away from making or not making the chase. Dale has won at Bristol before and usually finishes the 500 laps in 12th place or better. FYI, Dale did finish in 7th place back in March.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Jamie McMurray (17th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – It is about time for Jamie to make his late season surge and get another Top 15 for his team owners. Out of the 9 times Jamie has raced at Bristol, he has only had 4 races that he should be ashamed of. Otherwise, the new prince of NASCAR finishes in the Top 10 or really close; like 11th. Last spring, Jamie came in 9th.
Denny Hamlin (2nd) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Denny is the second and only other driver besides Jeff Gordon that has a place in the chase. Denny himself said that because of that, he is going to take more chances and do different things because he doesn’t have anything to loose. That will make great racing for us and Denny will hopefully be able to add another Top 10 to go along with the one he got last August. Denny has finished no worse than 14th the 3 times he has been on this track.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Juan Pablo Montoya (19th) Ganassi/Sabates Racing – Dodge – Doesn’t look like Juan can make friends no matter where he races a road course. All I have to say for JP is to watch out this Saturday and please have some patience. It is going to be dark and before he knows it, he will be in the wall and crashing down the track. Just like Kevin Harvick mentioned last weekend at Michigan, it’s not whether or not he is going to spin out, it is when. Juan finished 32nd his first and only time out at Bristol.
J.J. Yeley (21st) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Did I hear correctly that JGR might be converting over to Toyota next year? J.J. can thank Kyle Busch for taking his ride because that team will be under development all next year. Unfortunately, for the other side of the coin, J.J. is not going to be getting any phone calls on Monday regarding him coming over to another team. I think Mr.Yeley needs to start campaigning his other marketable attributes after this Saturday because his best finish at Bristol is 31st.
Track Stats
Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN)
Sharpie 500
August 25, 2007 (Saturday) – 8:00 pm - ESPN
(Sister Short Tracks – Dover, Martinsville, Phoenix, &Richmond)
Food City 500
(March 25, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Kyle Busch
2. Jeff Burton
3. Jeff Gordon
4. Kevin Harvick
5. Greg Biffle
6. Jeff Green
7. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
8. Clint Bowyer
9. Jamie McMurray
10. Casey Mears
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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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