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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
Natalie Anthony
10/25/2006
Dividing the Pack
Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
A lot of commentators and drivers referred to Talladega Superspeedway as the wild card track in the Nextel Cup Series, but if you take a closer look at how the chase contenders fair at Atlanta Motor Speedway (AMS) you might agree that this weekend could be another determining factor that will divide the point standings and leave only 5 drivers eligible for the Cup. Out of the 10 drivers in the chase, every one except rookie Denny Hamlin (2 starts) has experienced season smashing DNF’s at AMS. 6 of the chasers average finish at Atlanta are no better than a Top 15. Many drivers say that Atlanta is one of their favorite tracks, but the results of the Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500 might change their minds for good. AMS is NASCAR’s fastest track. At no other track are the drivers closer to racing at 200 mph. AMS has a lot of room to move around, but this Sunday keep your eye on the high line.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (6th) Dale Earnhardt Inc. – Chevrolet – If Dale doesn’t get himself loose; he might have a chance to keep his car in the Top 5. He has 6 Top 5’s already out of 14 starts and 8 Top10’s to go with that. When Dale was here last March, he finished in 3rd position. You don’t really see a lot of action out of Dale at AMS, but you will find him up high right next to the wall most of the race.
Jimmie Johnson (3rd) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – Jimmie should be a staple in your NASCAR league pick during the last 10 races of the chase. You really can’t go wrong to pick him. Check him out at Atlanta. He has10 starts, a win of course, 5 Top 5’s and 6 Top 10’s. See, easy pickin’.
Kasey Kahne (8th) Evernham Motorsports – Dodge – Kasey Kahne, Kasey Kahne, Kasey Kahne. The only time Kasey finished outside the Top 5 in his five starts at AMS was because of an accident. And I am sure it wasn’t his fault. Yep, I checked and a rookie was to blame. Don’t forget who the dominating force at intermediate tracks is. Kasey has 6 wins to prove his supremacy to the other 42 drivers who will be in his rearview mirror this Sunday.
Jeff Gordon (9th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – I would hate for people to think that I jumped on the Gordon band wagon, believe me I haven’t. Jeff keeps coming up as a driver that is good at this track and the last one and the next one. It’s a bit annoying, but I’m not going to whine about it. Unless Jeff is caught up in an accident or something mysteriously goes wrong with his engine, he is a solid Top 10 and his last 2 times out here at AMS he finished in the Top 5.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Bobby Labonte (20th) Petty Enterprises – Dodge – Bobby is on a roll lately. He has finished in the Top 5 his last 2 races. There is something good going on at Petty Enterprises. Bobby has the most wins (6) at AMS out of the active drivers and even holds the race record back in 1997. He had engine trouble back in March, but with 13 Top 10’s out of 27 starts, I expect Bobby to finish at least in the Top 15 or better.
Dale Jarrett (23rd) Robert Yates Racing – Ford – Since 2001, Dale’s worst finish at AMS was 23rd. In his last 11 races, Dale has 9 Top 15’s to include 2 Top 5’s and 4 Top 10’s. His last run in with an engine problem was in 2000 and he started on the pole. Dale’s career at AMS has been an impressive one. With a total of 37 starts and only one win, he has been the runner-up 5 times. I never thought he would make the list, but here he is. Go Dale go.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Kevin Harvick (2nd) Petty Enterprises – Ford – I know, how could I categorize a chase contender as a driver that is not going to finish well. Kevin might be thinking he has a chance to be on top like his teammate was one race ago, but AMS is not the track he is going to do it at. Out of all the chase contenders, Kevin struggles the most at this track. He did well here in 2001 with a win and a 3rd place finish, but since then, Kevin’s best finish was 19th.
Kurt Busch (16th) Penske Racing – Dodge – 4 Top 30’s, and 2 Top 40’s out of 11 starts. Enough said.
Track Stats
Atlanta Motor Speedway (Hampton, GA)
Bass Pro Shops MBNA 500
October 29, 2006 (Sunday) – 2:30 pm - NBC
(Sister Tracks – Lowe’s, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Texas)
(Tracks in bold represent tracks in the Chase for the Nextel Cup)
Golden Corral 500
(March 20, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Mark Martin
3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Tony Stewart
6. Jimmie Johnson
7. Paul Menard
8. Kyle Petty
9. Dale Jarrett
10. Reed Sorenson
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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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