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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
9/5/2007
Chevy Rock & Roll 400
Last Race to go only COT will Know
I have to admit the last time the COT raced, I was in dismay at the results. We have seen Hendrick Motorsports dominating almost all COT races and then a Roush/Fenway Racing Ford took the checkered flag and a sweet #9 Dodge finished second. I really thought Chevy was the only team that had their COT program dialed in. Apparently, a lot of the other teams have been doing their homework. I guess Richmond International Raceway (RIR) reality will set in this Saturday under the lights and the best driver and car will win and engrave the names of the Top 12 who will be in contention for the NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion of 2007.
Latest and Greatest: The Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch show are going on the road next season with Toyota. Are there more teams to follow suit? J.J. Yeley to kick out Tony Raines and drive for Hall of Fame Racing. Casey Mears making a lateral move to the #5 car.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Tony Stewart (2nd) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – In case the above text is too small, Joe Gibbs Racing announced today that they will be switching over to Toyota in 2008. I can’t get my thoughts around the move, but I hope they have better luck than the Toyotas that are on the tracks already. Hopefully, Tony can focus on the track at hand and give us another win (3) at Richmond. Tony finished 8th back in May which gave him another Top 10 (11) out of 17 starts.
Denny Hamlin (3rd) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Another future Toyota man that will have to try and keep his head in the game for another 11 races. Denny is still fairly new to RIR, but he holds the 2nd highest average finish of (6.7) and finished 3rd the last time he raced here.
Kyle Busch (8th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Kyle consistently gets it done and done well at Richmond. Kyle has raced at RIR five times and every time he has finished in the Top 5. He has been the runner-up for the last two races here. Kyle will definitely show up in the Top 5, but he will be making every effort to finally get a win.
Kevin Harvick (12th) Richard Childress Racing - Chevrolet – Kevin is another driver that races Richmond’s ¾ of a mile track with great skill. He is the defending champion from last September’s race because Kevin knows how to run well when the sun goes down and the lights come out. Kevin will be making his 14th attempt at RIR and will be putting forth all his ability to remain up front and take home another Top 5 (4) and another Top 10 (7).
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (13th) Dale Earnhardt Incorporated – Chevrolet – Why can’t this be a track that Kevin Harvick or Kurt Busch is really bad at? I wish it were for the sake of Jr.’s trek into the Chase. Even though Dale will probably come out with a Top 5, since he has seven of them already and three wins at RIR, he will still come up short for points. Just try again next year Dale, but not in the #8.
Kasey Kahne (21st) Gillett Evernham Motorsports – Dodge – You know Kasey has got a great chance to get a top 5 at Richmond. Kasey has abandoned his schooling for last season’s Dodge and has focused all his attention on the COT. He came in 2nd at Bristol two weekend’s ago and that was his first Top 5 of the season. Don’t forget, this track will always be sentimental to Kasey because he got his first win here in 2005.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Martin Truex Jr. (10th) Dale Earnhardt Incorporated – Chevrolet – Martin showed up in this category in May of this year because of his poor performance last season and because of his 28th place finish at the Crown Royal 400, he is staying. Martin has 3 starts at RIR and 28th is his best finish.
Brian Vickers (39th) Red Bull Racing – Toyota – I don’t care if Brian has had the most Top 10’s at Richmond. Toyota and Mr. Vickers hasn’t quite gotten their act together really at any track. After this season, we all should see a little more improvement out of Red Bull Racing and Toyota. Brian has one Top 10 out of 6 starts at RIR.
Track Stats
Richmond International Raceway (Richmond, VA)
Chevy Rock & Roll 400)
September 8, 2007 (Saturday) – 8:00 pm - ABC)
(Sister Short Tracks – Bristol & Martinsville)
Chevy Rock & Roll 400
(September 9, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Kyle Busch
3. Kasey Kahne
4. Dave Blaney
5. Mark Martin
6. Greg Biffle
7. Ken Schrader
8. Matt Kenseth
9. Jeff Burton
10.Scott Riggs
Crown Royal 400
(May 6, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Kyle Busch
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Kurt Busch
6. Ryan Newman
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Tony Stewart
9. Clint Bowyer
10.Matt Kenseth
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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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