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NASCAR Natalie
Turn 4 Transitions
by Natalie Anthony
5/23/2007
Have a first place finish and a smile
Coca - Cola 600
NASCAR recently announced that all of the races in 2008 will be a Car of Tomorrow race. Lucky for us, we still have both races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Lowe’s) to run that is not a COT race. The Lowe’s track is really similar to Atlanta Motor Speedway. Both are about a mile and a half and with 24 degrees banking in the corners and 5 degrees in the straightaway. If you can recall what happened in the Kobalt Tools 500 back in March, you will most likely see a duplicate of that race this Sunday night. Watch for Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart battling it out on the last few laps. It is going to be a great race. Don’t miss it.
Happy Memorial Day!!!
The Checkered Four
(Current point standings)
Jimmie Johnson (2nd) Hendrick Motorsports - Chevrolet – The last 2 races at Lowe’s, Jimmie was the favorite to win, but lost both times and finished second to Kasey Kahne. With Kahne’s faltering season thus far, Johnson may once again regain his crown as king of Lowe’s. Jimmie has raced 11 times at this track and finished outside the Top 10 twice and that was for accidents.
Denny Hamlin (4th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – As long as Denny doesn’t expect a whole lot from his newly formed pit crew, he should do very well this Sunday. Denny will be running for the 5th time here and he already has ranked 3 Top10’s. Denny usually dominates the tracks that he is best at early on, but can’t seem to be there at the end. He will however at least finish in the Top 10.
Tony Stewart (6th) Joe Gibbs Racing – Chevrolet – Tony struggled a lot during the Nextel All-Star challenge, but finally got his car figured out but it was a little too late and he finished 5th. With this race being a tad bit longer he will have enough time to dial into what his #20 car needs, make the adjustments, and maybe having Mr. Gibbs wishing this was Home Depot Motor Speedway because his driver finished first. Oh, Happy Belated Birthday Tony!
Carl Edwards (10th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – If you watched the Nextel All-Star Challenge last week you would have seen Carl loose the lead with only a few laps to go. Give him a longer run, I don’t know; maybe 600 laps and he will finish up front. Maybe not first, but Carl will be somewhere in the Top 10. Carl definitely knows how to drive his Office Depot car at this mile and a half track. He has been here 4 times and has 4 Top 10’s.
Underdogs
(Current point standings)
Bobby Labonte (19th) Petty Enterprises – Dodge – You will see Bobby in my underdog section a few times during the season because he has a few tracks that he runs pretty well at and I’ve taken notice. This might be the race for Petty Enterprises to get back in Victory lane. The last time Bobby won at Lowe’s was in October of 2000, but he usually finishes in the Top 5 for this summer race.
Paul Menard (38th) Dale Earnhardt Incorporated – Chevrolet – Stop rubbing your eyes, you are seeing clearly. Talk about the underdog of all underdogs. Paul just got slammed with the future loss of Dale Jr. and being stuck with Theresa, but I think despite these obstacles, Paul just might come out with a Top 15. That is of course if he can qualify on time. He is currently ranked 38th in points. Paul has been to this track once and finished 14th.
Most likely to be a lap down
(Current point standings)
Kurt Busch (7th) Penske Racing – Dodge – Kurt should be thanking his brother Kyle for taking him out of the Nextel All-Star challenge. With Kurt’s past history at Lowe’s (13 starts, 2 Top 5’s and 2 Top 10’s), he saved face by getting wreck out instead of embarrassing himself out.
Greg Biffle (16th) Roush Fenway Racing – Ford – Greg has an extra amount of stinky stuff to deal with this race without having to deal with his poor running at Lowe’s. His crew chief, Pat Tryson took a hike and now Greg will be starting the Coca-Cola 600 with a new voice in his head. It doesn’t matter if he changed his whole team like Denny Hamlin, Greg doesn’t have control of this track just yet. He has raced at Lowe’s 8 times with 1 Top 5 and 3 Top 10’s. Yucko!
Track Stats
Lowe’s Motor Speedway (Concord, N.C.)
Coca - Cola 600
May 27, 2006 (Sunday) – 5:00 pm - FOX
(Sister Tracks – Atlanta, California, Homestead-Miami, Kansas
Dover, Chicagoland, Michigan, Darlington, & Texas)
Coca-Cola 600
(May 28, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Carl Edwards
4. Mark Martin
5. Matt Kenseth
6. Jeff Burton
7. Greg Biffle
8. Jamie McMurray
9. Denny Hamlin
10. Reed Sorenson
Bank of America 500
(Oct. 14, 2006)
Top 10 Results
1. Kasey Kahne
2. Jimmie Johnson
3. Jeff Burton
4. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
5. Bobby Labonte
6. Kyle Busch
7. Tony Raines
8. Carl Edwards
9. Joe Nemechek
10. Brian Vickers
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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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