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NASCAR Natalie
by Natalie Anthony
11/7/2007
Checker Auto Parts 500
Second to Done
With Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) hosting the second to the last race in the chase, I am really not sure what to expect. At least the top two drivers in the point standings will be driving hard, but playing it safe to remain up top and only worry about finishing better than the other one. The rest of the pack will (with respect to chase contenders) be driving like there is no tomorrow. They really have nothing to loose and most of them have a solid ride next year. One thing I definitely do see happening this Sunday, there will be a lot of intense battles for position and maybe one or two big name drivers will be spending the end of the race as a spectator.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jimmie Johnson (1st) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – Jimmie, I know that each win for you is just another notch in your NASCAR belt because you have had your way with a lot of the tracks this year, but if you find yourself at an advantageous point in the chase, could you please take second spot and give the other 42 drivers a chance? Well, for the 48 fans, Jimmie does clean up nicely when he races at Phoenix. With the best average finish of 7.3 and a whopping 6 Top 10’s put of 8 races, there may be no wonder why the fans of the multi-colored rainbow car may be sitting a little on edge this weekend.
Jeff Gordon (2nd) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – I bet the 7th place finish at Texas behind teammate first place winner Jimmie Johnson put a real bad taste in Jeff’s mouth. I can’t deny the try, but the finish was pretty dry compared to the point’s leader. Because of that last mediocre finish and that fact that the chase is really on fire, is the reason why Jeff will try to put the chase back in his favor. Yes, Jimmie is better at PIR, but Jeff is more determined to put his teammate behind him in points just like one race ago. Jeff did win the race here in April.
Tony Stewart (6th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – I swear and I don’t do that too often, that Tony will make the next two races something to take notice of. If anybody is do for something great, it is Tony the Tiger. Tony may not be showing the same stuff he brought back in the later races in 2006, but as I am sure he would agree, things change. Tony has raced at PIR 11 times and smiles widely at his 5 Top 5’s and 7 Top 10’s. No wonder he is a happier driver later in the season.
Kevin Harvick (8th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – There is no rhyme or reason to the way Kevin’s season is going. I can’t even begin to try and formulate a plan for his success at some tracks and his distress at others. Kevin is a diamond in the rough. Don’t ever count him out as not being spectacular and don’t count him in as being the next shining new light. Kevin is what he is. Kevin is a two time champion at PIR and did manage to take the lead in the last lap back in November of 2006. It is hot at Phoenix and Kevin could be hotter this Sunday.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Matt Kenseth (10th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Was it just me, or did Matt seem to loose his nerve when last year’s champion gave him a run for him money at Texas? I bet me and about 90% of NASCAR nation were waiting for a driver outside Hendrick Motorsports to drive for the win, just like Matt. Matt does pretty well at PIR, but because of his choking issues, he doesn’t get to ride up front in my article. Matt finished 5th at PIR in April.
Bobby Labonte (19th) Petty Enterprises – Dodge – I have more respect for Petty Enterprises than any other driving organization expect for my coveted Evernham Gillett Motorsports (Proud owner of Kasey Kahne) or the legendary Dale Earnhardt Enterprises (Dale Earnhardt Sr. – greatest driver there ever was). Did Bobby receive a free get into the Top 35 in owner’s point’s card? He has been driving the decals off the #43 this year. Bobby has 3 Top 5’s and 9 Top 10’s out of 17 starts. Unless something crazy happens, Bobby should finish in the Top 10.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Clint Bowyer (3rd) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – It is fantastic that Clint showed that he can hold his own against more experienced drivers, but we all knew that there would be no fairy tale ending for him. Especially at this Phoenix, Clint will not be able to gain too many more points to keep his spot at 3rd in the points. This will be his 5th start at PIR and with only one top 10 on his resume at this track; I don’t see him doing much better than 20th.
Ryan Newman (14th) Penske Racing – Dodge – I was pushing for Ryan to win last weekend at Texas anytime he was in the Top 5. Ryan has seemed to put the issue of just being a pole sitter behind him and is trying to prove that he can run fast during all the laps of a race. I don’t think that will do much for him on Sunday since out of 10 starts, Ryan has 2 Top 5’s and Top 10’s.
Track Stats
Phoenix International Raceway (Avondale, AZ)
Checker Auto Parts 500
November 11, 2007 (Sunday) – 3:45 pm - ABC
(Sister Flat Tracks – Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Pocono, & New Hampshire)
Subway Fresh Fit 500
(April 21, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Jeff Gordon
2. Tony Stewart
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Jimmie Johnson
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Jeff Green
7. Kyle Busch
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Johnny Sauter
10. Kevin Harvick
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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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