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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
4/25/2007
Aaron’s 499
Take your wreckage and run
I wonder how many drivers take the green flag at Talladega Superspeedway (TSS) knowing that they possibly are just filling starting positions and they won’t last the day. There are over 60 drivers that have the opportunity to attempt to make the race at TSS, but only about 30 of them will actually finish it well enough to consider it a successful day. Luck does come around every so often and one of the marked few might sneak through, but for the most part, drivers will make plans for the rest of their afternoon this Sunday because they will not be behind the wheel thanks to the inevitable day ending, multiple car consuming; wreck.
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Matt Kenseth (3rd) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Matt has been to TSS the same number of times (14) as Dale Jr., but has failed every time to cross the start/finish line first. I don’t see Matt taking over the 2nd place in the standings just yet, but with a solid Top 10 finish here, he will be breathing down Jeff Burton’s neck real quick. Matt has 3 Top 5’s and 6 Top 10’s at TSS.
Tony Stewart (7th) Joe Gibbs Racing - Chevrolet – Tony’s another driver that can’t close the deal with a win at Talladega. With Tony’s recent anger management issues, I am almost reluctant to even put him into this category as a driver that could take the win because he can’t man up and separate his profession from his obsession. Being that this is not a COT restrictor plate race, Tony does have a lot of success with 8 Top 5’s and 10 Top 10’s. Tony practice your anger management techniques, you are going to need them this weekend.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. (15th) Dale Earnhardt Inc. – Chevrolet – A win this Sunday (4/29) at Talladega would be the best present Dale Jr. could ever give his Daddy on his birthday. Happy Dale Earnhardt Day! He just might actually pull it off too. Every time a restrictor plate track comes up on the NASCAR Nextel Cup series schedule, Dale Jr. as a top contender always comes to mind. He has got the stats to prove his success with 5 wins (most of active driver roster) out of 14 starts. He took himself out of the 2006 Spring race at TSS, but don’t expect a repeat.
Kurt Busch (13th) Penske Racing – Dodge – And Kurt falls into the same category as Matt Kenseth, Tony Stewart and so many other drivers without a trophy from TSS. Kurt does however, have the best average finish at Talladega with a 10.8. If he can stay out of the pits without a caution coming out, Kurt will without a doubt, add another Top 5 to his resume. Hopefully that will shorten the gap his little brother has on him in the point standings.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Jamie McMurray (12th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – A lot of drivers talk about momentum from one race to the next and that is exactly what Jamie has going into this race at Talladega. Ironically with momentum or not, Jamie does have impressive runs on this restrictor plate track. Out of 9 starts, Jamie has two 5th place finishes with a Top 10 to boot. Look for Jamie taking nothing less than a Top 15.
J.J. Yeley (22nd) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – J.J. doesn’t qualify really great or finish that good either at Talladega except for the spring race last season (11th for both), but he does like to meet somewhere in the middle and there isn’t anything wrong with that for a guy who is driving his hardest. J.J. is secure fit for the Top 15.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Kyle Busch (6th) Hendrick Motorsports – Chevrolet – Kyle is either really on it and finishes in the Top 10 or completely off by wrecking or finishing outside the Top 25. Ok, he did finish 24th at Daytona, but you get the picture. Kyle isn’t 6th in points this season for nothing, but expect a drop in his position after this race because Kyle’s best finish at TSS was 11th and every thing else out of 4 starts was 32nd or worst.
Kasey Kahne (33rd) Evernham Motorsports – Dodge – Kasey, I hate to do this to you, but until whatever issues Evernham has with all his teams, it is really hard to think you might finish in the Top 10 or the Top 15 for that matter. Kasey does have a 2nd place finish at Talladega, but having said that, this will be his 7th time at TSS and he only has a Top 5 and a Top 10. Kasey did get a 7th place finish at Daytona, which is a restrictor plate track, but I still can’t commit to risking him as a pick. Take the Dodge back to the garage.
Track Stats
Talladega Superspeedway (Talladega, AL)
Aaron’s 499
April 29, 2007 (Sunday) – 1:30 pm - FOX
(Sister Restrictor Plate Tracks – Daytona)
Aarons 499
(May 1, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Tony Stewart
3. Brian Vickers
4. Jeff Burton
5. Jamie McMurray
6. Matt Kenseth
7. Kurt Busch
8. Carl Edwards
9. Scott Riggs
10. Robby Gordon
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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">Marvin Harrison Denies Involvement In Shooting
(5/13 12:31 AM PT)
The Facts:
Harrison assured the Indianapolis Colts he was not involved in a shooting last month in his hometown of Philadelphia. Owner Jim Irsay said Monday he hopes that's the case. "At this point I'm keeping my fingers crossed," Irsay said. "We've done everything we could do in our diligence to try to discern what happened. He said he was not involved in that shooting and. ... The authorities have said there is nothing imminent."
Diehards Line:
Irsay said the Colts' security department has been in contact with NFL security in Philadelphia as well as with Philadelphia law enforcement. ... To review: A gun that Harrison owned has been linked to the shooting in which a man suffered a gunshot wound to his hand and a small boy was cut on the face by flying glass from a windshield. Six of the bullet casings found at the April 29 shooting near Harrison's car wash were from his gun, ESPN's Sal Paolantonio reported last week. But Harrison is not considered a suspect at this time.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr2')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Terrell Owens Happy With Situation In Dallas
(5/13 12:21 AM PT)
The Facts:
Owens' contract situation has been a backburner subject this offseason, as the team has dealt with the draft, getting Zach Thomas and Pacman Jones in the fold, and working on extensions with unsigned, but protected veterans Marion Barber and Ken Hamlin. So could there be a problem, with the star receiver's deal expiring at the end of the season? Owens says no.
Diehards Line:
"I definitely want to end my career with the Dallas Cowboys, and go into the Hall of Fame as a Dallas Cowboy," Owens, who told DMN staffer Albert Breer that he's got "3-5 years" left in the game, said. He also mentioned that getting a ring is what really matters at this stage of his career. And he believes the group to get it done in 2008 is there. "No doubt," Owens said. "The makeup is there. ... We're a step closer every year. We're ready."
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr3')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Patriots Meet With Kevin Jones; Nothing Imminent
(5/13 12:18 AM PT)
The Facts:
Last week, New England very quietly hosted a visit -– and no team can do things as quietly as the Patriots -- with Kevin Jones, whom Detroit released in March.
Diehards Line:
According to NFL Network insider Adam Schefter, Jones appears to be a couple of months away from recovering from the torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered late last season, but he is far enough along that the Patriots brought him in for a look. Schefter believes there are teams that think Jones will be able to contribute in training camp, others wonder if he will miss the start of the season due to his knee injury.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr4')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Randy McMichael Happy With New OC
(5/13 12:16 AM PT)
The Facts:
No Rams player may be more excited about Al Saunders being OC than McMichael. "As soon as I found what was going on and they had hired coach Saunders, I got really excited," McMichael said. "This is the kind of offense that I have dreamed my whole career of playing in."
Diehards Line:
Saunders has a reputation for making the tight end an integral part of his passing attack. Kansas City's Tony Gonzalez averaged 80 catches per season in his six seasons with Saunders calling the offensive plays. Under Saunders, Washington's Chris Cooley caught 57 passes for 734 yards and two touchdowns in 2006 and 66 passes for 786 yards and eight touchdowns in 2007. "He said the funniest thing to me the first time I met him," McMichael said of Saunders. "He said, 'I've had a Pro Bowl tight end eight straight years."' Now, the pressure is on McMichael to keep that streak going.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr5')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Roddy White Skips Final Workout With Sore Hamstring
(5/12 7:24 PM PT)
The Facts:
White was held out of practice Monday after a slight hamstring problem Sunday afternoon. "Roddy tweaked his hamstring," HC Mike Smith said. "It's just precautionary. We don't want to put ourselves in a position with a guy this time of year that may hurt himself more by going out there."
Diehards Line:
White said he's been working hard to stay healthy with the offseason weight program and looks forward to building on his career season from 2007. "I'm getting a lot more comfortable," he said. "I just have to go out there and continue to work hard and continue to get better every day. If you ain't getting better, you're getting worse." We're looking for White to continue getting better, but much of his success will depend on the team's quarterback.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr6')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Robbie Gould Signs 5-Year Extension With Bears
(5/12 6:32 PM PT)
The Facts:
Gould on Monday signed a five-year contract extension with the Bears that runs through the 2013 season. Terms were not disclosed.
Diehards Line:
Gould is the most accurate field goal kicker in Bears history among those with at least 50 attempts, having connected on 84 of 99 tries (84.8 percent) in three seasons. In 2007, Gould made 31 of 36 field goals (86.1), including 17 of 18 (94.4) over the final seven games. His only miss during that stretch, a 48-yard attempt, was blocked. Gould also owns Bears records with 26 straight field goals from Dec. 25, 2005-Nov. 19, 2006 and 22 straight games with a field goal from Oct. 23, 2005-Nov. 6, 2006.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr7')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Joe Horn Would Prefer Trade To Reserve Role
(5/12 1:34 PM PT)
The Facts:
Horn said Monday that he would like to be traded instead of remaining with the team as a "just-in-case guy." Horn said he had not approached the team yet about his desire to be dealt but that him and/or his agent would in the near future. When told of Horn's remarks, general manager Thomas Dimitroff said: "He is still part of our team and we still see a future for him here."
Diehards Line:
Horn said that he would be professional for as long as he remains with the Falcons. He said he hopes the Falcons will push to deal him to a team who values him as a contributor. ... During five, just-completed mini-camp workouts -- and during a pre-draft minicamp in April -- Laurent Robinson replaced Horn in the starting lineup alongside Roddy White. Michael Jenkins and rookie Harry Douglas also took reps this weekend, which could have prompted Horn to feel as if he was being pushed down the depth chart. Brian Finneran, Eric Weems and Adam Jennings are also vying to be among the five-to-six wide receivers retained.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr8')" style="cursor:hand; cursor:pointer" onmouseover="window.status=' ';return true">Ravens Mulling Use Of 3-WR Set As Base Formation
(5/12 11:31 AM PT)
The Facts:
One of the questions heading into Ravens mini-camp was the pecking order of the WRs. But Derrick Mason, Demetrius Williams and Mark Clayton aren't battling against each other. They are teaming up in pursuit of a common goal. If this unit plays up to expectations, there is a possibility the Ravens could use three wide receivers as their primary formation. "It's not a possibility. It will happen," Mason said. "Using three wides is not far-fetched with the three guys that we have."
Diehards Line:
Whether it was injuries or just former HC Brian Billick's scheme last season, the Ravens rarely spread out defenses. Of the Ravens' 557 passes thrown last season, only 39 percent came in a three-wide alignment. New OC coordinator Cam Cameron wants to be unpredictable and will change up the formations as well as the personnel groupings. "If we had to start a game today, three wide receivers might be our starting group," Cameron said.
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class="headline" onClick="expanddiv('tr9')" 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('tr10')" 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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