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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
Natalie Anthony
11/01/2006
Dickies 500
Ya know what their thinkin', but man don't your wish they could say it?
If every driver had the opportunity to tell it like it is, we would have a far more interesting race. Not that a NASCAR race needs anymore excitement. Unfortunately for viewers, drivers don't get to exercise their First Amendment right when it comes to controversial opinions they have about other drivers, officials, or anything else NASCAR related. They get the "Don't say it" or "Watch what you say", from their crew chiefs, owner, sponsors, personal assistants, and anyone else who has their best interest at heart. The drivers really have to be careful every time they talk on the radio and to the media. Who gets fined thousand of dollars and a loss in points for saying a swear word? Maybe they can opt for the soap eating penalty. There should be a lot of tongue biting this weekend at Texas Motor Speedway (Texas). This track has a lot of similarities to Atlanta Motor Speedway, so the action that you saw last weekend is close to what you will witness this weekend.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jimmie Johnson (2nd) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet - What the heck does Tony Stewart have under the hood of that #20 car. Man, he is fast. Oh well, I'll just keep doing what I am doing and when the media interviews me, I just say that Tony had a better car in the center of the turns and I was really loose all race in between turns 3 and 4. Yeah, that sounds good. Luckily for me, I run better at Texas than Tony, so I don't have to think of an excuse as to why he was better than me. This will be my 7th start and I have 2 Top 5's and 5 Top 10's. If Kasey wins, I will most likely come in 2nd and I can say something about the high line being too loose for me.
Denny Hamlin (3rd) Joe Gibbs Racing - Chevrolet - I'm going to be Raybestos Rookie of the year and I my have Play Station to thank. Why don't I have the same set up as my teammate Tony Stewart? I know that Joe Gibbs likes him more than me, but I'm going to be rookie of the year. It doesn't matter, I kick butt at Texas and when I win, Joe will like me more. It is my rookie season and I have the best average at Texas. I have raced there 2 times, (35 times on my Play Station) and I have a Top 5 and 2 Top 10's.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (4th) Dale Earnhardt Inc. - Chevrolet - I was so toying with Jeff Gordon at Atlanta. I let him pass me and gave him a lot of room because that's what really good drivers do, but as soon as he did, bam right back at cha' slower Chevy. You bunch of babies. You didn't need new tires to finish the race. Why oh why did I stay so high at the pit road entrance? Oh well, that's the last time the leaders juke me. See that point's leader Matt Kenseth, I still beat you and you had fresher tires. Who's the man? Dale Jr. is. Just wait until Texas; I will be the one everybody follows to the pits because I rock there. I have 8 starts and I have won there unlike Matt Kenseth or Jimmie Johnson. And I have 3 Top 5's and 6 Top 10's. Man, I'm good. No wonder I'm the crowd favorite.
Kasey Kahne (9th) Evernham Motorsports - Dodge - David Stremme, a Top 35 was your most concern during the race, Cmon! I said it was all my fault and that I am really sorry that I damaged your owner's point standings. What was I thinking? I am in the chase for the Nextel Cup and I was in 4th place and made a mistake and took the #40 out of the Top 35. I shake my head and I think it is completely ridiculous. Drink a couple Coors Lite and get a life David. One race is not going to solidify your owner's points and if you had done your job this entire season, you wouldn't be in this position. Don't blame me because you don't know how to drive. I can totally come back this race. Texas is another intermediate track where I rule and another opportunity for me to take the checkered flag. I might have screwed up my chances for the chase, but that's not going to stop me from dominating Texas. Rookies in the back of the pack, stay out of the way while I lap you.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Casey Mears (14th) Chip Ganassi Racing - Dodge - Juan Pablo Montoya…That's my #42 car you are driving. Get out. Ooh and you got an 11th place finish in the Busch race. It's a Busch race, wait until you drive in the Nextel Series, than we will talk about how well you are driving. Whatever, I'm just glad I'm changing teams next season. I mean who wants to be overshadowed by a Formula One driver who gets all the attention. I should run pretty good at Texas. I have 5 starts there and an average finish of 11th spot. Yeah, I definitely can finish in the Top 15. Hopefully in the Top 10, so I can rub that in Juan's face. If it weren't for the free pass for drivers a lap down, I would never run on the lead lap.
Martin Truex Jr. (21st) Dale Earnhardt Inc. - Chevrolet - Why is it lately that every time I run in the Top 15, my car chokes. Shouldn't I have the same tires as my teammate Dale Jr.? His tires didn't blow and mine did. This favoritism thing is really bumming me out. You think, cool, I get to be part of an icon's team and as soon as you get there, not cool, you get leftovers. This will be my 3rd start at Texas, and I have been pretty consistent there. I have a Top 10. As long as my hand-me-down parts hold up, I'll be in the Top 15.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Kyle Busch (10th) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet - Who put that wall there? Somebody has been messing with my set up for the last 2 races and making my car really loose. This chase thing is really getting on my nerves. It's too much pressure. At least when I mess up early in the race, everybody pretty much leaves me alone. Since I am completely out of the chase and I stink at Texas, if I run bad on Sunday nobody will care. I really don't like Texas. I've raced there 3 times and I can't do any better than an average Top 25. If I take myself out of the race completely, at least I'll look good hangin' out in the garage with my cool sun glasses. That's what I get for being good lookin'; I have a sun glass company sponsoring me.
Robby Gordon (26th) Robby Gordon Motorsports - Chevrolet - What debris? It wasn't me. I have no idea what you are talking about and why part of my roll cage padding is missing. It is really ironic that a caution came out and I was the first car a lap down. Wow, I must be really lucky. How else can I get a Top 10? Sometimes you have to make your own luck. I just hope the next time I "make my own luck", that NASCAR doesn't implement some new rule because I would never get another Top 10. I am not going to get one at Texas, I'd be lucky if I get a Top 30.
Track Stats
Texas Motor Speedway (Fort Worth, TX)
Dickies 500
November 5, 2006 (Sunday) - 2:30 pm - NBC
(Sister Tracks - Lowe's, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Atlanta)
(Tracks in bold represent tracks in the Chase for the Nextel Cup)
Samsung/Radio Shack 500
(April 9, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Matt Kenseth
3. Tony Stewart
4. Denny Hamlin
5. Kevin Harvick
6. Jeff Burton
7. Scott Riggs
8. Martin Truex Jr.
9. Mark Martin
10. Bobby Labonte
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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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