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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
3/8/2007
Car of Tomorrow or Car of Turmoil? Now Car of Today
Food City 500
Bristol Motor Speedy (BMS) debuts the introduction of the Car of Tomorrow. Many drivers have accepted and many drivers have rejected the new car, but this Sunday will show who choose the right side. Whether you like it or not, the COT will be rearing its head through out the 2007 (16 races) and 2008 (26 races) season and NASCAR will be making it a permanent fixture in 2009. Performance and competition, safety and cost effectiveness are the major advantages of the new design, but drivers like Tony Stewart would rather throw it in the garbage and start all over. Tony has stated in the past that his objective in NASCAR is not to be the front man or the voice of other drivers, but whether he likes it or not, that is exactly what he is turning out to be. A lot of commentators predicted that Tony would not replace, but continue the father figure presence that Dale Earnhardt had. No one can ever be the #3, but they can go forward in his name and on with his fight.
I am going to give you my predictions for this race based on the drivers past history at this track and my ever extending expert picks – ha ha, but with the COT, anything can and will happen.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jeff Gordon (2nd) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Jeff has rocked the pole at Bristol by having a record of 4 poles, which is twice as many as any of the current driver roster. Apparently Jeff is super fast at this severely banked speedway. And I have to mention that he carries the most Top 5’s (8) and Top 10’s (13). Consistency speaks for itself.
Matt Kenseth (5th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – It doesn’t matter what you give Matt to drive, he will make the most of it. Every time he has had an issue with his car, he has managed to hold on to it and keep it in contention. I have the utmost faith that he will do the same this weekend. Matt has won at BMS twice with 7 Top 5’s and 9 Top 10’s.
Kevin Harvick (7th) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – Kevin commented after his initial testing for the COT that he feels “happy” about the results and confident in the car. That alone gives him an advantage over other drivers that have negative reactions. Kevin has the second best average finish at BMS (10.6) and has a win under his belt as well.
Kurt Busch (20th) Penske Racing - Dodge – Kurt is the defending race winner of last years Food City 500 and holds the record for the most wins (5) at BMS of the current active driver roster. Kurt is 7 wins shy of tying the all time record of 12 wins by Darrell
Waltrip. I don’t care what Kurt is driving this weekend; he will be a contender for the win.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Jeff Burton (3rd) Richard Childress Racing – Chevrolet – Jeff is in my underdog category because being under the wing of RCR gives him an advantage because of the early COT testing and positive results, but his history at BMS puts him regularly around the Top 15. He is going to give Bristol everything he’s got and that just might be enough to give him another Top 15.
Denny Hamlin (8th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Unlike most drivers, Denny hasn’t gotten spooked by Bristol and he was just a rookie last year. He has driven on this half mile track only twice and has seen a 6th and 14th place finish. I would say that with his smoke connections he will be in contention this weekend for another Top 10.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Casey Mears (32nd) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Any driver that changes teams doesn’t really have the ability to make some head way their first year. There is a lot more going on then just racing and teams focus on winning, rather than making everything else work. Even though he joined a successful team, Casey might be able to make us take notice later this season or next year. Casey has competed at BMS 8 times and has nothing on the board greater than the 17th position.
Brian Vickers (40th) Red Bull Racing – Toyota – It doesn’t even matter if he qualifies this weekend for the race, Brian is going no where fast on this short track. First of all he is driving a Toyota, secondly he just joined a new team, and thirdly he has raced at this track 6 times and the closest he got to checkers was a 12th place in 2005.
Track Stats
Bristol Motor Speedway (Bristol, TN)
Food City 500
March 25, 2007 (Sunday) – 1:30 pm - FOX
(Sister Short Tracks – Dover, Martinsville, Phoenix, &Richmond)
Food City 500
(March 26, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kurt Busch
2. Kevin Harvick
3. Matt Kenseth
4. Carl Edwards
5. Bobby Labonte
6. Mark Martin
7. Greg Biffle
8. Kyle Busch
9. Ryan Newman
10. Kasey Kahne
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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">Kenny Britt Has Scope To Clean Out Surgically-Repaired Knee
(5/16 2:51 PM PT)
The Facts:
Following up on a previous item. ... Britt had minor arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Wednesday, a procedure GM Ruston Webster said should accelerate his rehabilitation process. Webster said the procedure would likely set Britt back a week or two. “It is very common and if it helps his rehab process and all that," Webster said of the procedure. "It is well worth doing. And our goal is to have him play this year. It will be helpful to him, I think, and probably accelerate his rehab.”
Diehards Line:
Britt, who suffered a torn ACL and MCL last September, had been experiencing swelling in his knee in recent weeks, so doctors decided to go ahead and “clean it up.” Britt was injured on Sept. 25 against the Broncos and had surgery roughly a week later. He had 17 catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns before injury. Webster hopes Britt will be back for the start of the regular season. “He is doing well, he was changing directions the other day,’’ Webster said. “It is just more how he reacts after he does that. ..." Stay tuned. We'll obviously be following this one closely.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" 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('tr3')" 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('tr4')" 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('tr5')" 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('tr6')" 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('tr7')" 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('tr8')" 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('tr9')" 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('tr10')" 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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