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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
11/12/2008
Ford 400
November 16, 2008 (Sunday) - 4:00 pm (ET) - ABC
Chase Watch - Report #10
Unofficially, the chase for NASCAR's Sprint Cup Championship for 2008 is officially over. Just like everything in life, if Carl Edwards just had a little bit more time he could have probably taken over the championship throne. However, Carl has one race left and all Jimmie Johnson has to finish in the 36th spot or better to take the Cup trophy for the third straight season in a row. 2008 was a dynamic season and will no doubt be surpassed by 2009. If you thought this season was too much to take; wait till next year.
Front Line Chasers
Jimmie Johnson
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 1st
As long as Jimmie shows up this Sunday at Homestead, NASCAR nation has got itself
the next and repeating NASCAR Cup Champion. Could it get any easier for the Hendrick Motorsports # 48 Lowes Chevrolet?
Carl Edwards
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 2nd
Do you think Carl and his Crew Chief Bob Osborne are running around this weekend trying to figure out where and when they went wrong this season? Unfortunately, Carl success at HMS will be to no avail regarding his chase efforts this year. Carl's last three races at Homestead have resulted in consecutive Top 10's.
Jeff Gordon
Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet
Point Standings: 7th
The Jeff Gordon fan based has really directed its efforts towards the fact that Jeff hasn't won a race this season. Jeff's career stats at HMS get him so close to taking the checkered flag. Out of his nine starts, only two races resulted in a finish worse than a Top 10. It would be great if the last race of the 2008 chase could end with Jeff winning the race and his teammate Jimmie Johnson taking the championship. That way ending race festivities can be shared and not overshadowed by the chase winner.
Last Lap Challenge Chasers
Matt Kenseth
Roush Fenway Racing - Ford
Point Standings: 8th
The only reason why Matt has a fighting chance this weekend is because last November he managed to clinch the win from Kurt Busch and record his second win of 2007. Other than Matt's recent victory at HMS, he spent 2006 and 2005 playing with Top 5's and the rest of his track time in the back of the pack.
Bottom 25 Chasers
Kyle Busch
Joe Gibbs Racing - Toyota
Point Standings: 11th
Kyle should be very happy that he isn't a contender for the Cup this last race of the 2008 season. With his record at HMS, he might as well park his #18 and surrender to the Homestead track. Kyle's previous attempts have resulted in nothing better than a 20th place finishing position. Pack it up and go home. See you in 2009.
Track Stats
Homestead-Miami Speedway (Homestead, FL) - HMS
Ford 400
(Sister Tracks - Lowe's, California, Texas, Kansas Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Atlanta
Ford 400
(November 18, 2007)
Top 10 Results
1. Matt Kenseth
2. Kurt Busch
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Jeff Gordon
5. Carl Edwards
6. Martin Truex Jr.
7. Jimmie Johnson
8. Jeff Burton
9. Mark Martin
10.David Ragan
Post questions & comments to:
NASCARNATALIEANTHONY@yahoo.com
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr1')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Vermeil: Larry Johnson Will Beat Out Portis
(3/16 7:30 PM PT)
The Facts:
While popular opinion might suggest that Johnson was brought to town to back up Clinton Portis, one of Johnson's former coaches has a bold prediction. "He will take over the running back position," said Dick Vermeil, who coached Johnson in Kansas City from 2003 to '05. "That's what I think. He'll push that guy right out of a job."
Diehards Line:
The Redskins signed Johnson last week to a three-year contract. Portis, who missed the final eight games last season after suffering a season-ending concussion, returns for his ninth NFL season. He's been the Redskins' starter since joining the team in 2004. Though he's two years older than Portis, Johnson has 755 fewer carries. While the two might begin training camp sharing the workload, Vermeil expects Johnson to open eyes at practice. He says Johnson helped push Priest Holmes, the Chiefs' incumbent running back in Kansas City seven years ago, and Vermeil says he'll push Portis now -- until he surpasses him.
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(3/16 7:29 PM PT)
The Facts:
Bills HC Chan Gailey isn't prepared to name a starting QB, and anticipates holding an open competition going into training camp.
Diehards Line:
Gailey wouldn't rule out selecting a QB in the draft next month or pursuing a veteran in either free agency or by trade. Finding a starter has been a top priority for Gailey since he was hired in January. The quarterback position was unsettled last year after Trent Edwards lost his starting job to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Both return this season, as does untested third-stringer Brian Brohm.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Jets Re-Sign Tony Richardson
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The Facts:
The Jets announced Tuesday they reached an agreement with Richardson, 38, on his third one-year deal with the team in as many years.
Diehards Line:
Richardson is a noted locker room leader and has remained remarkably effective late in his career. This will be Richardson's 16th NFL season. And after competing against LaDainian Tomlinson for years in the AFC West, Richardson, formerly a Chief, will now get to block for him.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Eagles Sign Mike Bell To Offer Sheet
(3/16 3:14 PM PT)
The Facts:
Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Eagles have agreed to terms with Bell on a one-year deal worth $1.7 million. The offer includes $500,000 in guaranteed money. The deal also includes incentives that could push the total value to over $2 million.
Diehards Line:
Because the Saints tendered Bell, a restricted free agent, at the lowest level, they have only a right to match the offer -- and they'll get no compensation if they don't. Either way, Bell will be under contract for one year. The question is whether it will be the Eagles or the Saints.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">JaMarcus Russell Reports To Work
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The Facts:
Following up on an ongoing story. ... Russell is on site and particpating in the Raiders’ offseason program, the club confirmed without any other comment.
Diehards Line:
The Raiders have no plans to make Russell available to the media, so there won’t be any opportunity to see if the weight loss alluded to be director of player development Willie Brown is obvious to a casual observer. ESPN insider Adam Schefter, however, is comfirming the previously reported weight loss -- and a new throwing motion. ... Stay tuned.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Spencer Havner Dealing With Post-Accident Injuries, Issues
(3/16 12:36 PM PT)
The Facts:
Havner, who scored four touchdowns on only seven catches during the 2009 regular season -- and one touchdown on two catches in a playoff loss at Arizona -- recently was arrested for DUI in California after crashing a motorcycle.
Diehards Line:
According to TheUnion.com, Havner lost control of a motorcycle, fracturing a scapula and suffering cuts to the back of his head and left arm. He was not wearing a helmet. ... As for the legal issues, Greg Bedard of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports that while Havner was arrested, the prosecutor will have to decide whether to pursue charges. ... More as the story plays out.
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The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... Raiders director of squad development Willie Brown said on Comcast SportsNet Bay Area Monday that Russell has undergone a transformation in the offseason and wasn’t present at the first day of the offseason program tending to personal business. "He’ll be back in town today and ready to go (Tuesday),” Brown said.
Diehards Line:
Brown went on to say the QB has been in Phoenix getting in shape, a long-running rumor neither the Raiders nor Russell’s agents would confirm. “You’ll be surprised when you see him,” Brown said. “It’s quite a bit of weight that he’s lost. ... I don’t want to pin it down and say how much he lost but it will be a significant difference when you see him compared to last year." Stay tuned.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Bo Scaife Signs Titans Tender Offer
(3/16 9:46 AM PT)
The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr10')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Marc Bulger Shows Up For Off-Season Workouts
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The Facts:
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Diehards Line:
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