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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
Natalie Anthony
11/08/2006
Checker Auto Parts 500
Autocracy
No, this isn’t a play on words, it has an actual definition. By way of Wikipedia’s Encyclopedia, autocracy is a form of government in which the political power is held by a single individual (NASCAR). If you have not heard already what happened or missed last weekends race, there was an altercation with a crew member of the Evernham owned Scott Riggs #10 car with Kevin and DeLana Harvick after Kevin spun Scott out with 7 laps to go who was running in the 3rd position at Texas Motor Speedway following the Dickies 500. Supposedly, Kevin was pushed from behind and fell into his wife who sprained her ankle. In addition, a NASCAR official was injured. The crew member was suspended indefinitely and fined $10,000 for his actions, but why didn’t the Harvick’s file charges against the front tire carrier? Evernham Motorsports supports the decision and doesn’t plan to appeal it. But if something like that happened outside of NASCAR, somebody would be facing some police interaction. Does NASCAR operate by its own rules and regulations and punish its offenders differently? NASCAR officials are the police when it comes to racing. This weekend at Phoenix International Raceway (PIR) should not prove any differently. If anybody acts out, NASCAR will intervene in its own way.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jimmie Johnson (1st) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – Can you say NASCAR Nextel Champion of 2006? I can say this because Jimmie runs the best at PIR out of all the active drivers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series. He has 6 starts, and 4 Top 10’s. With an average finish of the 8th position, the only person that has a chance in taking the win away from Jimmie is his teammate Jeff Gordon; maybe.
Jeff Gordon (6th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Jeff probably hates to be the runner up, but that is exactly what he is at PIR; barely. Jeff’s finishes at PIR around the 9th and 10th positions. Jeff has 6 Top 5’s and 12 Top 10’s out of 15 starts. He is a shoe in for a Top 10, but don’t expect him to take the checkered flag unless his teammate Jimmie Johnson has major problems.
Mark Martin (9th) Roush Racing – Ford – Too little to late for Mark. Mark is super consistent at PIR. Wow, with 20 starts, 8 Top 5’s, and 13 Top 10’s, he is going to run really well, but because it is the second to the last race for the Cup championship, it is not going to help him much except for bringing up to 8th in points.
Tony Stewart (11th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Coulda, woulda, shoulda! If Tony could go back to maybe a race or two before the last 10 races for the chase of the Nextel cup and do a few things differently, I bet he would. If he had made the chase, he would be the point’s leader right now and he would have a nice lead coming into Phoenix where he can dominate again. Matter of fact, he holds the top race speed at PIR at 118.132 back in 1999. Tony could be climbing the fence for his fans again for the 3rd time in a row this weekend. He has 9 starts with 1 win, 4 Top 5’s and 6 Top 10’s.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Brian Vickers (16th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – A win at Talladega and now a pole at Texas, somebody it trying to finish their season with a bang. Brian will again show his worth by finishing in the Top 15. He has been to PIR 5 times and has a Top 5 and a Top 10. His average finishes rank in the Top 15. Effortless selection.
Clint Bowyer (17th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – He proved it last weekend and I said it before, if it weren’t for Denny Hamlin, Clint would be the Raybestos rookie of the year for 2006. It may have taken him a little longer to show his skills, but better late than never. Watch him again at PIR. This track is similar to Pocono where Denny runs well, but Clint runs better at Phoenix. He has been there 2 times and has a Top 5 and a Top 10.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Casey Mears (14th) Chip Ganassi Racing – Dodge – He did well last weekend by earning a Top 10, but that may be his last one for the season. Casey has run at PIR a total of 5 times and he has no Top 5’s or Top 10’s, no poles; no nothing.
Robby Gordon (30th) Robby Gordon Motorsports – Chevrolet – Robby dropped from 26th to 30th position and it wasn’t because he finished in the Top 40 last weekend. He got slammed for his free flying roll bar cage padding. Good for NASCAR. Cheaters should be held accountable for their actions. Where would Jeff Burton be right now in the point standings if it wasn’t for Robby? With 8 starts, only 2 Top 10’s and no chance for cheating, Robby’s true driving ability will show through with a Top 35.
Track Stats
Phoenix International Raceway (Avondale, AZ)
Checker Auto Parts 500
November 12, 2006 (Sunday) – 2:30 pm - NBC
(Sister Flat Tracks – Indianapolis, Las Vegas, Pocono, & New Hampshire)
Subway Fresh 500
(April 22, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kevin Harvick
2. Tony Stewart
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Carl Edwards
5. Clint Bowyer
6. Kasey Kahne
7. Jimmie Johnson
8. Bobby Labonte
9. Jeff Burton
10. Jeff Gordon
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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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