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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
10/17/2007
Subway 500
Short Track Sweetness
There is something mesmerizing about watching a race on a track that is the distance of a mile or less. Whether you attend the race at Martinsville Speedway (MS) personally or enjoy the coverage on ABC, you will be in a trance for the entire 500 laps, of course with the exception of cautions and commercials depending on your point of view. There is action at every turn and every straight away, and if you don’t pay attention, you will loose the beginning of the lead line and wonder where first place is running. So before you visit the facilities, grab some grub, or rummage through your cooler for another Budweiser (future sponsor of the talented Kasey Kahne in 2008) make a mental note of the leader, reference the scoring tower, or wait for a caution. I, fortunately, will be able to test my hypothesis this weekend for my annual fall trek to that sugary oval of goodness.
Happy belated birthday to Dale Earnhardt Jr. He turned 33 last Wednesday (10/10).
Side note: I would like to thank Ryan Newman for making the last few laps at Lowe’s the most interesting of the race. Sorry it ended badly, but you were so awesome for trying.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jeff Gordon (1st) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – I sound like an audio file stuck in download, but this is yet another track that Jeff has the most wins (7) out of the active driver roster. Every weekend it is getting to the point where if Jeff is in the lead with 10 laps to go, I mentally do something else. I would never leave my TV unattended during the final laps of a race. Just hoping for another driver to make it interesting; that’s all. Yawn, yawn. Jeff is leaving the rest of the track in dirty air, so just pick him.
Jimmie Johnson (2nd) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – Jimmie has by far, the best record at MS. Out of 12 starts, he has 7 Top 5’s and 11 Top 10’s. It will definitely be a toss up between the #24 and the #48 in determining who will be the 2007 Nextel Cup champion. Either it will be two in a row for Jimmie or finally number five for Jeff. It took me a race or two last season to figure out what five for five meant.
Tony Stewart (4th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Tony has something amiss with his end of the season rally. I keep expecting him to throw caution to the wind and do the unimaginable and then nothing. The season is not over yet and Tony still has this race at MS and four more to make it an unforgettable ending. Tony is ranked up there with the other big boys by finishing in the Top 5 seven times and the Top 10 ten times out of 17 races.
Kyle Busch (6th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Kyle might be getting a little rowdy this Sunday. Considering the amount of points he is behind, all bets are off for him trying to be a contender in the chase against his teammates Jeff and Jimmie. Kyle was a good boy at Lowe’s last weekend, but that was just to show good face to new owner Joe Gibbs. If his teammates are nowhere near the Top 5 this Sunday (highly unlikely), some other driver on the track is going to have an eventful race. Kyle has 5 starts with 2 Top 5’s and 3 Top 10’s.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Jamie McMurray (19th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – It must be Jamie’s style of racing, but I said it before and Jamie has proved it time and time again, when he runs decent he wrecks better. By the grace of the NASCAR gods, Jamie has been lucky enough to avoid being involved in a wreck at MS that last two times he has raced at this track and sported a 9th place finish both times.
Scott Riggs (37th) Gillett Evernham Motorsports – Dodge – Scott has lost five positions in the point standing since last April where he finished 8th, but with his last two Top 10’s at MS, Scott has a good chance of putting the #10 car back into the Top 35 in points and leave his team on a positive note. At least, he will give Patrick Carpentier (Scott’s replacement) a good starting point. Scott was hired to team up with Haas CNC Racing in 2008.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Greg Biffle (16th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Greg never had a chance this season to make it into the chase. Even though rumors indicate that he will be continuing with Roush Fenway past 2008, I think he needs to look for a new ride. Greg has made some head way through the season, but not enough to stand out. This weekend at Martinsville will be another downer for the “Biff”. Nine starts at MS and not even a Top 10.
Carl Edwards (5th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – I bet Carl wishes that Martinsville only came once a year. Carl has raced at MS six times and has not come close to contention for even a Top 10. Being a chase contender looks good on his NASCAR resume, but winning it would be the cat’s meow. Given that this is the six race of the chase and Carl is 5th in points for the chase title, his chance in taking the Nextel Cup smells closer to a cat litter.
Track Stats
Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, VA)
Subway 500
October 21, 2007 (Sunday) – 1:45 pm - ABC
(Sister Short Tracks – Bristol & Richmond)
Goody’s Cool Orange 500
(April 1, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Kyle Busch
5. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
6. Jeff Burton
7. Tony Stewart
8. Scott Riggs
9. Jamie McMurray
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">Jags Haven't Had Any Contract Discussions With Maurice Jones-Drew
(5/16 11:30 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... HC Mike Mularkey said Tuesday that Jones-Drew, who is skipping the team's voluntary offseason workout program, wants a contract extension. Jones-Drew has two years left on the five-year, $31 million deal that he signed in 2009 that will pay him $9.4 million the next two seasons. A team spokesman said there have been no discussions about a contract extension for Jones-Drew.
Diehards Line:
Neither Jones-Drew nor his agent, Adisa Bakari, have said publicly that he wants an extension, but there's been much speculation because his contract has been surpassed by several backs. Chris Johnson, Arian Foster and Marshawn Lynch received bigger deals in the past year, and Adrian Peterson, DeAngelo Williams and Steven Jackson also have more lucrative contracts. Jones-Drew won the NFL rushing title last year, gaining 1,606 yards. He is expected to be a focal point of Mularkey's new offense, but as Times-Union staffer Vito Stellino notes, Jones-Drew is also 27 years old and running backs don't tend to have long careers. He has carried 312, 299 and 343 times in the three seasons since Fred Taylor retired. ... Meanwhile, Mularkey seems resigned to Jones-Drew missing the voluntary part of the offseason program, though he might show up for the mandatory three-day minicamp in mid-June. Jones-Drew can be fined if he misses that. Meanwhile, Rashad Jennings is filling in for Jones-Drew.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Darrius Heyward-Bey Sorry... For The Most Part
(5/16 11:26 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... After two disappointing years on the field, Heyward-Bey turned things around last season. He suffered a setback off the field this offseason when he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence. He sent fans the following message Tuesday from Raiders OTAs. "I just kind of regret bringing bad attention to the team, for the most part," Heyward-Bey said. "Want to let the fans know that I'm here, working hard, trying to get on the same page with Carson and looking forward to the season."
Diehards Line:
Despite regretting the negative attention (for the most part), Heyward-Bey will plead not guilty to the charges. As NFL.com's Gregg Rosenthal notes, Heyward-Bey does not have a history of legal or substance abuse problems, so it's unclear if he'll face a possible suspension from the league. The former No. 7 overall pick was Oakland's leading receiver last year with 975 yards. It'll be interesting to see if he continues to produce at a similar pace this fall with Denarius Moore heading into his second season as a pro and if Jacoby Ford can remain healthy.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">DeMarco Murray Officially Cleared; Working Without Limitation
(5/16 12:18 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... Murray said Monday that the ankle injury that prematurely ended his standout rookie season has healed and he has been cleared by team doctors. "It's great," Murray told ESPN's SportsCenter. "I've been officially cleared by our doctors and I've been doing everything the past month or two without any limitations. I feel great."
Diehards Line:
Murray suffered a fractured right ankle and a high right ankle sprain in a Week 14 loss to the Giants at Cowboys Stadium. Murray, who rushed for a franchise-record 253 yards in a Week 7 victory over the Rams, had surgery in December, began rehab shortly after and started running in February. The third round pick finished the 2011 season with 897 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He'll open this season as the starter and play a featured role with Felix Jones serving as the complementary back.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Still No Change In Mike Wallace's Contract Situation... Still
(5/16 12:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported before the draft that Wallace wouldn't sign his one-year restricted free agent tender " until he has to." While the Steelers have hoped to sign Wallace to a long-term deal, there has been no progress on that front. Schefter reiterated on NFL Live Tuesday that it "may be awhile" before the Steelers see Wallace at club headquarters, and Wallace won't sign the tender "until he absolutely has to."
Diehards Line:
So. ... Adding an "absolutely" to "until he has to" is now apparently a major development. Otherwise nothing has changed; Wallaces options are limited: Either he signs his one-year tender for $2,745,000, comes to terms on a multiple-year deal with the Steelers, or he sits out. Sitting out means losing out on unrestricted free agency next year. That seems unlikely, but we'll continue to watch and follow up as new information comes to light (or if Schefter reports Wallace won't sign the tender until he "absolutely, positively" has to). In the meantime, don't expect Wallace to be present for any of the team's official offseason activities. Until he has to. Absolutely.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Justin Blackmon Switches Shoes; Foot Now Fine
(5/16 12:13 AM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... Blackmon seemed amused at the plethora of questions about his sore foot. It happens when the team's No. 1 draft pick, the fifth overall selection in the 2012 draft, misses a minicamp practice with a sore foot. "I went back home, just rested my feet got back with some better cleats," Blackmon said. "I changed my shoes once I got back down here."
Diehards Line:
This was Blackmon's first day in an actual practice with Blaine Gabbert. The Jaguars were in helmets and shorts for the first day of the organized team activity, which are done without pads. "I thought he looked good," Blackmon said of Gabbert. "Threw the ball well. Just all around, the offense looked pretty good for the first day being out there together. ..." According to Times-Union staffer Tania Ganguli, Blackmon moved around the field today. He played a little Z receiver and even a little slot, which it's expected will be Mike Thomas's position.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Rookie WR Juron Criner Generating Buzz In OTAs
(5/16 12:12 AM PT)
The Facts:
Impressive during the rookie mini-camp, Criner, Oakland's fifth-round draft pick, stepped it up Tuesday with the full squad at the Raiders' organized team activity. Criner made a handful of great catches, creating a buzz among his teammates.
Diehards Line:
Included was a 50-yard catch from Carson Palmer against DeMarcus Van Dyke and Tyvon Branch in which he tumbled into the end zone, and a 55-yard sideline heave from Terrelle Pryor against CB Pat Lee. On one play, Criner reached back and made a difficult catch of a ball Pryor threw behind him. "He saved Carson, he saved myself, he saved Matt [Leinart]," Pryor said. "He's a player. He catches everything that comes near him. ..." Criner was taken No. 168 overall. That's 20 picks lower than Oakland got Denarius Moore in 2011. Moore caught 33 passes for 618 yards and five touchdowns. "He has a thing for the ball once the ball's in the air," Moore said. "That's what we like about him." The thing we like about Criner is the buzz he's creating -- which is much like what we were hearing about Moore last summer. We'll follow up as needed.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Matt Prater Sitting Out Voluntary Work
(5/16 12:10 AM PT)
The Facts:
Prater, a free agent until he was slapped with a $2.6 million franchise tender for the 2012 season, has not been participating in the team's offseason workout program. "There's no message, it's voluntary," said Frank Bauer, Prater's agent.
Diehards Line:
The Broncos don't have any mandatory workouts until their June 12-14 mini-campy, although Prater is currently not under contract because he has not signed his franchise tag tender. ... Prater performed brilliantly in the clutch last season, booting a 52-yard field goal in overtime to defeat Miami; a late, game-tying and overtime-winning field goal at San Diego; a late game-tying and walkoff-winning field goal at Minnesota; and late 59- and 51-yard field goals to beat the Bears. According to Post staffer Mike Klis, the Broncos did make Prater one, five-year offer prior to free agency, but the dollars were well short of what the kicker thought was his value.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">FB Owen Schmitt Signs With Raiders
(5/16 12:08 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Raiders signed Schmitt to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Diehards Line:
Schmitt played under Raiders offensive coordinator Greg Knapp for the Seattle Seahawks during the 2009 season and worked out for the Raiders on Tuesday afternoon. Marcel Reece has started 26 games at fullback for the Raiders over the last two seasons, but he has yet to sign his exclusive rights free-agent tender and isn't participating in the team's voluntary workouts. Schmitt was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2010 following a season-ending knee injury to Leonard Weaver. Over a 61-game career, Schmitt has nine carries for 27 yards and 34 receptions for 218 yards and two touchdowns, and has made 14 tackles on special teams.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jerome Harrison Ruled Out For 2012
(5/16 12:05 AM PT)
The Facts:
The Lions have placed Harrison on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list to make room on their 90-man roster for safety Sam Proctor and receiver Wallace Miles, whom the team signed after their tryouts at this weekend's rookie mini-camp. The Lions had to declare that Harrison would not be eligible to participate in the 2012 regular season or postseason for him not to count toward the 90-man roster while on the Reserve/Non-Football Illness list.
Diehards Line:
Eagles doctors discovered a brain tumor in Harrison that nullified a trade that would have sent him and an undisclosed draft pick to the Eagles for running back Ronnie Brown last season. The trade might have actually saved Harrison's life. He's currently recovering from surgery to remove the tumor and is "progressing" according to his agent Mitch Frankel. Harrison signed with the Lions as an unrestricted free agent before last season after playing his first five seasons in the NFL with the Browns and Eagles.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Mularkey Confirms Maurice Jones-Drew Wants A New Contract
(5/15 2:41 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on the ongoing story. ... When Jones-Drew first failed to show up for the Jaguars’ voluntary offseason work, HC Mike Mularkey said he didn’t know anything about the reason for the absence. Mularkey met with the media again on Tuesday after Jones-Drew failed to make it to the start of the team’s OTAs and was a little more forthcoming. As has been widely reported but unconfirmed by either party to this point, Jones-Drew is staying away from the Jaguars because he wants a new contract from the team.
Diehards Line:
“It’s all voluntary. I wish he was here. He knows we wish he was here,” Mularkey told Florida Times-Union staffer Tania Ganguli. “He’s talked about trying to get an extension for his contract. ...” The NFL’s leading rusher in 2011 has two years left on his contract and is set to make a total of $9.4 million. As PFT's Josh Alper suggests, there’s not much reason to worry at this point. Jones-Drew has missed voluntary work several times with no negative impact on his game and he fared well enough after last year’s offseason was all but wiped out by the lockout. The Jaguars have a mandatory mini-camp in June. If Jones-Drew doesn’t come to that, then there’s some reason to start worrying.
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