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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
10/24/2007
Still too close to call
Bass Pro Shops 500
Last season, it was pretty much a shoe in for Jimmie Johnson to win the NASCAR Nextel Cup championship as long as he continued to keep his momentum going with the few races left in the chase. What is scary about this chase is the fact that Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson are so close in points that one bad race for either of them could solidify the win for the other driver. Rick Hendrick is probably not concerned with the end results since either way he has another champion driver. With the two drivers, neck in neck in points, I think that with any luck for the fans, Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) may stir up the driver mix and give us a different winner than the #48 or #24 this weekend.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jimmie Johnson (2nd) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – If it wasn’t for the final caution last weekend, Jimmie may have lost the first place spot to Ryan Newman. Which is no reason to cry since 2nd is better than 3rd, like teammate Jeff Gordon received Sunday. Jimmie does have a decent record at Atlanta with 2 wins, 7 Top 5’s, and 8 Top 10’s out of 12 starts.
Tony Stewart (4th) Joe Gibbs Racing - Chevrolet – Tony was having a great run last weekend at Martinsville before a bad restart from the front of the line put Tony in contact with another driver. But Tony did lead some laps. Tony is so close to getting the momentum he needs to take a checkered flag. Watch for Tony this Sunday because he will be making the attempt to add another win (2), Top 5 (7) or Top 10 (11) out of his 17 starts.
Carl Edwards (5th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – I don’t know if you heard, but last Sunday at Martinsville Carl and Matt Kenseth shared some not so polite words. But being the better man that he is, Carl took the blame and is trying to mend fences. I wouldn’t mess with Carl if I were you Matt. Jeff Gordon seemed to put you back a little when he pushed you around and Carl is twice Jeff’s size. Carl will be no where near Matt this weekend because Carl always runs up front at AMS with an average finish of 9.8.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (13th) Dale Earnhardt Incorporated – Chevrolet – Dale showed Juan P. Montoya what happens when you can’t keep up with the veterans Sunday at Martinsville. The entire crowd went loco and was waiting for another veteran to take a stab at JP. Dale may be continuing his discussion with JP this weekend since Dale drives it like he stole it at Atlanta and keeps the #8 in the Top 10.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Juan Pablo Montoya (19th) Ganassi/Sabates Racing – Dodge – I figured that since it is getting close to the end of the season, sniff – sniff, I should give some not so fantasy worthy drivers a chance. Juan has only one start at the mile and a half track, but he did finish 5th. So, I will give him a chance to repeat his performance and get another Top 5 or Top 10.
David Gilliland (29th) Robert Yates Racing – Dodge – David is definitely a long shot. He either makes it into the Top 15 or the Top 30. His last race at Atlanta he ranked a Top 30, so it looks like he is due for a Top 15. The final decision is up to you. It is down to the wire, so if you are running out of drivers to pick, at least now you have an option.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Kevin Harvick (7th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – It seems to me that if NASCAR was the equivalent to the 12th grade in high school, Kevin would be on the football team and definitely in the popular crowd, but he would be the guy who wished he dated the head cheerleader. Kevin performs well at racing, but not enough to be the quarterback. This Sunday at AMS will be leaving Kevin 2nd string and riding the bench. Out of 13 starts, Kevin got a win and a third place finish back in 2001 but hasn’t broken the Top 15 since.
Casey Mears (16th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Why oh why did Hendrick give the boot to Kyle Busch and not to Casey Mears? Did Rick keep him on the team so Dale wouldn’t be considered in the bottom three or four at Hendrick? Regardless, Casey has raced at AMS 9 times and his best finish was 13th.
Track Stats
Atlanta Motor Speedway (Hampton, GA)
Bass Pro Shops 500
October 28, 2007 (Sunday) – 2:15 pm - ABC
(Sister Tracks – Lowe’s, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Texas)
Kobalt Tools 500
(March 18, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Tony Stewart
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Jeff Burton
5. Juan Pablo Montoya
6. Clint Bowyer
7. Carl Edwards
8. Martin Truex Jr.
9. Reed Sorenson
10. Mark Martin
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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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