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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
Natalie Anthony
10/18/2006
NUMBERS
Subway 500
Every time the green flags flies, statistically history is made. These driver’s careers are based on numbers. How many wins, Pole‘s, Top 5’s, Top 10’s, laps lead, laps down, DNF’s, average start, average finish, and it goes on and on. The driver’s might be singled out by their name, but when it comes down to it, they are just a number. These driver’s numbers vary from race to race and track to track. Nothing is guaranteed. One race they are number one and the next they are finishing in the back of the pack. To excel and be the best of the best by taking the Cup for the NASCAR Nextel Series, your numbers better be consistent. The Subway 500 at Martinsville Speedway (MS) will mark the half way point in the chase for the Nextel Cup. There are only five races left and five more chances to increase a driver’s numbers. At this point, some drivers know that their opportunity for the chase has come and gone. No longer is it 10 guys chasing the Cup, it has been dwindled down to maybe 8. Sorry to the guys that might not take the Nextel Cup; your number has come up. Thanks for playing.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
#8 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (5th) Dale Earnhardt Inc. – Chevrolet – The # 8 has some nice digits at MS. He has 15 starts and 6 Top 5’s and a matching 6 Top 10’s. The only stat he is counting on is a win and maybe a pole at MS, but we know which one is more important. Are you aware that the #8 doesn’t have a single pole this season? It just struck me as odd. Well, he is not going to get one here. The #8 finished 4th in the last race here in April.
#48 - Jimmie Johnson (7th) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – The #48’s data is sickening. Before you read on, grab a garage can. The #48 has been at MS only 9 times and 8 times he was in the Top 10. His non Top 10 was in 2003 due to a vibration, who cares. Wait, there’s more. He has a pole, a win, and (grab the garbage can again) 5 Top 5’s. And done.
#24 – Jeff Gordon (10th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – The best place to be at MS is up front with a big lead in order to avoid a lot of bumping on this tight race track. The #24 car has the most poles (6) at MS out of the current driver line-up and if he can qualify decently again, he can run up front and make this his 8th win at MS. He has to finish well at this track; his point standings can’t take another bad hit.
#20 - Tony Stewart (11th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – The #20 is the defending champion for this track and out of 15 starts, his worst finish was 26th. The #20 has 3 wins at MS and in his last 3 races here, he escorted the rest of the pack around the track by leading the most laps. This could be a fence climbing weekend for the #20. Thank goodness he has started a diet, because where the fence meets the asphalt by the finish line, it has 0 degree banking and he will have a lot more climbing to do to get to the top.
May finish 15 – 20 (Underdogs)
(Current point standings)
#26 - Jamie McMurray (21st) Roush Racing – Ford – The only time the #26 finished outside the Top 10 in his seven starts at MS was due to an engine issue in April 2003 and just an uneventful run in April 2005. Check out this number. The #26 is rank 6th in the best average finish (13.9) at Martinsville Speedway for all active drivers. That’s better than 7 of the Chase contenders.
#41 - Reed Sorenson (24th) Chip Ganassi Racing – Dodge – I am going to give the #41 car one more chance to make it up to me. He was collected by the #2’s (Kurt Busch) accident at Lowe’s Motor Speedway last weekend and didn’t get a chance to show his worth. The #41 will be making his second start at MS and he did well in April’s race by finishing 12th. If he can avoid single car spin outs, he may have another Top 15.
Most likely to finish outside of the Top 20 (several laps down)
(Current point standings)
#99 - Carl Edwards (12th) Roush Racing – Ford – The #99 might as well say good bye to the 11th position’s point standing $1,000,000. No, better yet, NASCAR needs to endorse the check to the #20 right now because there is no hope for the #99 or anybody else. With 4 starts at MS, the #99 can’t get his car into the Top 15. Trust me, don’t pick him.
#16 - Greg Biffle (13th) Roush Racing – Ford – The #16 is even more unsuccessful at MS, than his #99 teammate. The #16 has been to MS 7 times and he can’t get his car into the Top 15. Again, the trust factor should not be an issue, don’t pick him.
Track Stats
Martinsville Speedway (Martinsville, VA)
Subway 500
October 22, 2006 (Sunday) – 1:00 pm - NBC
(Sister Short, Flat Tracks – Bristol & Richmond)
DirectTV 500
(April 2, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Tony Stewart
2. Jeff Gordon
3. Jimmie Johnson
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5. Kyle Busch
6. Elliott Sadler
7. Kevin Harvick
8. Brian Vickers
9. Jamie McMurray
10. Scott Riggs
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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">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('tr2')" 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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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">GM Disappointed, But Not Ready To Bail On Cedric Benson
(5/11 12:22 PM PT)
The Facts:
GM Jerry Angelo expressed disappointment that Benson put himself in a situation last weekend that resulted in his arrest near Austin Texas, but Angelo said the team isn't rushing to judgment in the case and that he expects Benson to be at training camp competing for the starting job in July. "The thing that I am most disappointed in is the fact that he put himself in a position to be the victim," Angelo said.
Diehards Line:
Coming off arguably the worst of his three disappointing seasons with the Bears, Benson was expected to face an uphill battle for playing time against second-round pick Matt Forte even before the legal problems. Benson is still in the process of rehabbing the latest injury, but he hopes to be 100 percent healthy by the start of camp July 23.As reported in this week's Fantasy Notebook, there has been speculation that the Bears might release Benson, but Angelo dashed those rumors. "There's no plans to cut him," the Bears' GM said.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Saints' Interest In Jeremy Shockey Ongoing
(5/11 11:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
The talk of the Saints' interest in acquiring Shockey is seemingly never-ending. When asked about whether or not improving depth at tight end is a priority in the offseason, HC Sean Payton said, "If the right player was available and we felt like he could come in an compete with the guys we currently have on our roster, than we'd be interested in doing that."
Diehards Line:
In light of Payton's comment, it might be worth noting a Newark Star Ledger report this morning in which Giants OC Kevin Gilbride's said he's not sure if Shockey will play another down for the Giants or if he'll be traded. "It's so nebulous right now. I just have no idea what's going to happen," Gilbride said. Gilbride said he has spoken to Shockey recently, but wouldn't say what the TE's feelings were. The coach also suggested the team's improvement with Shockey on the sidelines late last season had more to do with Steve Smith's presence than Shockey's absence.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Torry Holt Unsure About Long-Term Future With Rams
(5/11 11:15 AM PT)
The Facts:
On Saturday, in his first comments to St. Louis reporters since the end of the 2007 season, it was clear that Holt is taking a realistic view about his future with the Rams. "I have this year and next year, and hopefully I can finish those years out," Holt said. "Then, I'll see where I'm at. I'll see where I'm at physically. I'll see where I'm at emotionally, financially."
Diehards Line:
Holt went on to explain: "Then, if they would like to do something here, I'll consider it. If not, then I'll have the option to go and explore and give my services somewhere else." Holt raised eyebrows three weeks ago when he talked about reuniting with his brother Terrence -- a safety for the Panthers -- when the final two years of his contract were up. To a degree, it was clear Holt was joking, particularly the remark about "resigning" from the Rams. But he admitted Saturday that if he moves on, Carolina will definitely be the first choice. Still, Holt fully plans to play out the remaining two seasons on his current contract.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Darren McFadden Showing Off Speed, Versatility
(5/11 12:20 AM PT)
The Facts:
McFadden practiced in his No. 20 jersey, showing speed and burst in both rushing attempts and pass routes. "It's so easy for him to run really fast," HC Lane Kiffin said. "He's running by people and it doesn't look like it's really hard to do. Reggie (Bush) was that way. They don't even have to go to the next level until they really need it."
Diehards Line:
As Chronicle staffer David White pointed out, contact isn't allowed in off-season workouts, so plays were whistled dead when tackles seemed imminent -- not that many defenders on hand looked capable of doing so in an open field. Meanwhile, Oakland Tribune beat man Jerry McDonald notes that McFadden caught a number of passes in Saturday's workouts -- both out of the backfield and while split out wide. He even lined up at QB taking shotgun snaps less than 24 hours after Kiffin cautioned about throwing too much at the rookie too soon.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Matt Ryan Starting At Bottom Of Depth Chart
(5/10 4:31 PM PT)
The Facts:
The Falcons just finished the first of five mini-camp practices and Ryan made his debut -- as the third-team quarterback. This veteran coaching staff is going to make him earn his stripes. So, for now, he worked behind Chris Redman and Joey Harrington and rotated with D.J. Shockley.
Diehards Line:
The Falcons have yet to tip their hand when it comes to the approach they'll take with Ryan. He could start, or the coaching staff could make him earn his way up the depth chart. But as the AJC notes, the offense is new and Redman, Harrington and D.J. Shockley don't have a big head start on the rookie. That could emerge as a determining factor in the staff's strategy.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Mario Manningham Slowed By Injured Hip Flexor
(5/10 2:57 PM PT)
The Facts:
Manningham and QB Andre' Woodson were sidelined by injuries Saturday during the New York Giants' mini-camp for rookies and free agents. A third-round draft pick from Michigan, Manningham suffered a hip flexor on his left side running a pull-up pattern early in the morning workout. Woodson pulled a quad muscle in his left leg.
Diehards Line:
Manningham said the injury happened because he did not run his pattern right. "It ain't nothing bad or serious," Manningham said. "If it was serious I would not be walking. ..." HC Tom Coughlin said Manningham, the third-round pick from Michigan, "showed some flashes" before the injury.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Chris Perry Ready To Contribute
(5/10 9:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
HC Marvin Lewis said Sunday that Perry will be available Tuesday when the team begins voluntary on-field work. Perry was placed on season-ending injured reserve in 2007 after sustaining a serious ankle injury Nov. 26, 2006.
Diehards Line:
According to Enquirer staffer Mark Curnutte, the reason the Bengals didn't take a running back in last month's NFL Draft wasn't because they wanted to sign Shaun Alexander, who had been released by Seattle. The reason is that Perry appears to be healthy and ready to play this year. ... The Bengals want Perry to return to the role he occupied in 2005, when he played in 14 games with two starts and had 51 receptions and a 4.6-yard rushing average as Rudi Johnson's backup. To do so, of course, Perry would have to avoid the kind of injuries that have limited him just 9one full season in four years as a pro.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Kyle Boller Running With First Team; Flacco Impresses
(5/10 1:15 AM PT)
The Facts:
Boller got most of the work with the first team but looked shaky during team drills. He threw two interceptions, including one that was returned for a touchdown by the defense.
Diehards Line:
According to ESPN.com's James Walker, rookie Joe Flacco shared secondary reps with Troy Smith and didn't disappoint. The rookie first-round pick showed off his arm strength with several nice deep balls, including one that connected with receiver Mark Clayton for a touchdown. He also threw crisp slants and check downs to running backs. ... All indications are Boller will be the opening day starter but don't be surprised if the new staff pushes Flacco into the lineup as quickly as possible.
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