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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
8/28/2007
Sharp Aquos 500
900 More Laps of Racing for the Chase, but the Field is Closed
I don’t have the patience to sit down and calculate every scenario that might get a driver on the bubble into the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Just let it be known that the only three drivers in contention for the 12th place are Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Ryan Newman. The only driver that has the most consistent finishes (11.5) here at California Speedway (CS) is Kurt Busch. I guess that puts the #8 and #12 car out of business for the chase. Crazier things can happen in the next two weekends and I will be watching for them, but there will be nothing close to the excitement we had last season when Kasey Kahne was inching his way into the chase every lap at Richmond.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jeff Gordon (1st) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Yep, Jeff is back in the line-up again. And again he holds the record for the most wins (3) at CS out of the active driver line up. I should just cut and paste the same thing I wrote from last week and be done with it. Writing about Jeff’s ability at each track is starting to get mundane. Just pick him.
Matt Kenseth (4th) Roush Fenway Racing - Ford – Now this is a track that Matt can make some noise at. Matt took the win in February 2006 and turned around and did the same thing in February of 2007. Last September he completed the final lap in 7th place. Matt’s already in the chase, but this Top 10 finish may put him one more spot closer to 1st.
Jimmie Johnson (6th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Jimmie has been pretty quite lately. Don’t expect to hear too much out of him this Sunday, but do expect to see him up front during the finish. Jimmie has raced at Cali 9 times and finishes on average in the Top 7. Jimmie took the bronze during our last time here in February.
Clint Bowyer (9th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – Where in the heck did Clint come from? I think the last time I heard anything big from him was when he was crossing the start/finish line on his roof at Daytona. Since then; nada. Clint’s worst finish at CS out of 3 starts is 14th. That’s pretty good for a junior in the ranks of NASCAR. I’m gonna pick him for my league.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Denny Hamlin (3rd) – Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – I know Denny is a heavy hitter in NASCAR, but there are so many drivers that race well at CS, that I had to pick my Top 4 and put the other guys here. Denny is fairly new to California, but out of his 3 starts, he kept his finishes just a spot or two out of the Top 10.
Kyle Busch (8th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – When I watched Kyle race in the Busch series last weekend at Bristol, I was in awe by the car control that he has. Again, Kyle is a top notch driver in NASCAR, but there are a few better than he (for now) at CS. I can’t believe how young Kyle is and he has already raced here 6 times. Had a little bit of a rough start his first two times out, but has kept it in the Top 10 ever since. Shoot, I’m picking him too.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Kevin Harvick (10th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – Kevin might loose a spot in the chase this weekend by his performance at CS, but who cares. Kevin is going to be tied with six other drivers for the 4th position once the chase is over if the wins by each driver in the chase stays the same. Kevin has 2 Top 10’s out of 10 races.
Greg Biffle (15th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Greg, it just isn’t your season again. Greg missed the chase by three spots last year and it looks like he is going to repeat the same mistake this season. Greg did get a win at Cali back in 2005, but it has all been down hill from there. Out of 9 starts, Greg has got a mere 2 Top 5’s and 2 Top 10’s. I like Greg, but the stats don’t lie. Not a strong pick this weekend.
Track Stats
California Speedway (Fontana, CA)
Sharp Aquos 500
September 2, 2007 (Sunday) – 8:00 pm - ESPN
(Sister Tracks – Lowe’s, Texas, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Atlanta)
Sony HD 500
(September 3, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
3. Clint Bowyer
4. Carl Edwards
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Denny Hamlin
7. Matt Kenseth
8. Kyle Busch
9. Tony Stewart
10. Dale Jarrett
Auto Club 500
(February 25, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Matt Kenseth
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Jeff Burton
5. Mark Martin
6. Clint Bowyer
7. Kurt Busch
8. Tony Stewart
9. Kyle Busch
10. Brian Vickers
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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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