STAND-OFF BETWEEN SHARAPOVA AND WTA SETTLED
Stand-off Between Sharapova and WTA Settled
Well, did we ever have any doubt? I’m actually a lowercase surprised the WTA compromised with Maria Sharapova about the photo shoot before the European Open which began yesterday. Obviously this should be a warning to all of us: don’t underestimate the negotiating powers of a Russian raised in America. Sharapova haggled with the WTA until […]
Well, did we ever have any doubt? I’m actually a lowercase surprised the WTA compromised with Maria Sharapova about the photo shoot before the European Open which began yesterday. Obviously this should be a warning to all of us: don’t underestimate the negotiating powers of a Russian raised in America.
Sharapova haggled with the WTA until the officials condensed the four- or five-hour shoot into 90 minutes. The concern No. 2 accepted the deal.
Actually I category of likeable what Sharapova had to say about the full ordeal: “When I set foot in Rome, my priority is to play tennis. I already did the talking, and now it’s time to play tennis.”
I never thought I’d say this, but…you go girl.
(Image: Newscom)
Tags: Italian Open, Maria Sharapova, womens-tennis, WTA
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RCR to Get an Early Start on Building #33 Team
Image details: The Dan author 400 Practice served by picapp.com Richard Childress Racing has announced that their brand new number 33 team - not scheduled to go full-time until the 2009 season - module be fielded in the running of the Coca Cola 600 two weeks from now at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and that NASCAR veteran […]
Image details: The Dan author 400 Practice served by picapp.com
Richard Childress Racing has announced that their brand new number 33 team - not scheduled to go full-time until the 2009 season - module be fielded in the running of the Coca Cola 600 two weeks from now at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, and that NASCAR veteran driver, Ken Schrader, module attempt to qualify the car for the event.
Schrader was mitt without a full-time ride when, earlier in the season, BAM Racing announced that they would be taking a sabattical from the sport until the Fall due to sponsorship woes. Since then, Schrader ran the no. 70 Chevrolet for Haas CNC Racing to a 42nd place finish at Talladega, and failed to qualify the no. 40 Dodge for Chip Ganassi Racing two weeks ago at Richmond.
Schrader has run in four races this year, with a season-best finish of 21st back in March at Las Vegas and currently sits 47th in points. In his 44 career starts at Lowe’s, he has accumulated a win, 6 top-five’s, and 13 top-ten finishes. The most recent top-ten finish in Schrader’s career was a 7th place finish in the Fall of 2006 at Richmond.
One has to astonishment if: a) There could be a potential matchup between Schrader and RCR for Childress’ fourth team in 2009, and b) Schrader can piece together some decorous runs with solid equipment beneath him.
Tags: aaron’s 499, bam racing, chevy rock & roll 400, chip ganassi racing, coca cola 600, dan lowry 400, haas cnc racing, Ken Schrader, las vegas motor speedway, lowe’s motor speedway, NASCAR, Richard Childress Racing, richmond planetary raceway, Sprint Cup Series, talladega superspeedway, uaw-dodge 400
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the Big Ten: Top Drivers Not Locked Into All-Star Race
With NASCAR’s annual All-Star Race quickly approaching this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, I thought it would only be fitting to attain the top-ten drivers in the Sprint Cup Series that are not already locked into the race itself. For those of you that might be unfamiliar with the structure of the race, drivers & […]
With NASCAR’s annual All-Star Race quickly approaching this weekend at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, I thought it would only be fitting to attain the top-ten drivers in the Sprint Cup Series that are not already locked into the race itself. For those of you that might be unfamiliar with the structure of the race, drivers & car owners that have won a race either this assemblage or terminal assemblage are automatically locked into the field, as are past champions from with the terminal ten eld and former winners of the All-Star race itself. Then, fans are allowed to balloting an additional utility into the field, and then the top-two finishers in the All-Star Showdown module also attain it into the race.
10. Joe Nemecheck - 37th in points - 4 career wins / terminal intend in 2004
9. Dave Blaney - 35th in points - 0 career wins
8. Michael Waltrip - 32nd in points - 4 career wins / terminal intend in 2003
7. Robby Gordon - 30th in points - 3 career wins / terminal intend in 2003
6. king Gilliland - 21st in points - 0 career wins
5. Brian Vickers - 17th in points - 1 career intend / terminal intend in 2006
4. Travis Kvapil - 18th in points - 0 career wins
3. Elliott Sadler - 28th in points - 3 career wins / terminal intend in 2004
2. king Ragan - 12th in points - 0 career wins
1. Kasey Kahne - 14th in points - 7 career wins / terminal intend in 2006
Tags: all-star race, brian vickers, dave blaney, david gilliland, david ragan, elliott sadler, joe nemecheck, Kasey Kahne, lowe’s motor speedway, Michael Waltrip, NASCAR, robby gordon, sprint prize sereis, travis kvapil
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LaBonte Brothers Unite Under the Petty Banner
Image details: Dickies 500 served by picapp.com Petty Enterprises recently announced that Kyle Petty module take a yield of absence from the no. 45 Dodge beginning on the June 1st race at Dover until July 12th when the Sprint Cup Series heads to Chicago. The reason for Petty’s yield from the team is to attend his […]
Image details: Dickies 500 served by picapp.com
Petty Enterprises recently announced that Kyle Petty will take a yield of absence from the no. 45 Dodge beginning on the June 1st race at Dover until July 12th when the Sprint Cup Series heads to Chicago. The reason for Petty’s yield from the team is to attend his daughter’s wedding, and he module then tie the TNT booth to report from broadcasting duty.
The vacuum in the no. 45 car module be filled by NASCAR rookie, Chad McCumbee, at Dover and Chicago, with Terry LaBonte to intend the car for the five races in between. Chad filled in for Petty during his trauma terminal season with very lowercase success, and attempted to replace him at Texas earlier this year, but he failed to qualify for the event.
For Terry LaBonte, this is his first opportunity to team up with brother, Bobby LaBonte, at the Cup Series level. The two-time former champion terminal competed in a Cup Series race at Watkins Glen in 2007. He ran three races that season, resulting in a pair of 30th place finishes and another 35th. He competed in 31 events from 2005-2006. His terminal full-time season was 2004 with Hendrick Motorsports, in which he finished 26th in points. His terminal conclusion came in the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in ‘03.
Tags: autism speaks 400, Bobby Labonte, centurion boats at the glen, chad mccumbee, chicagoland speedway, darlington raceway, dover planetary speedway, Hendrick Motorsports, Kyle Petty, lifelock.com 400, NASCAR, petty enterprises, southern 500, Sprint Cup Series, terry labonte, watkins glen international
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Novak Wins Rome; Dinara Wins Berlin
Well, the Rome Masters finally saw a rank match played after several of the tour’s top players withdrew because of injuries. Novak Djokovic came from a set downbound (4-6, 6-3, 6-3) to beat Stanislas Wawrinka in the Rome Masters final. The conclusion was Djoko’s 10th career title It also puts him 310 points behind second-ranked Rafael […]
Well, the Rome Masters finally saw a rank match played after several of the tour’s top players withdrew because of injuries. Novak Djokovic came from a set downbound (4-6, 6-3, 6-3) to beat Stanislas Wawrinka in the Rome Masters final.
The conclusion was Djoko’s 10th career title It also puts him 310 points behind second-ranked Rafael Nadal. The top two have been set in stone for so long; are we about to see some shake ‘n bake at the top?
(Image: Newscom)
Novak Djokovic hoists his trophy after success the Rome Masters.
Dinara Safina capped a imagine run at the Teutonic Open with a title-clinching conclusion over No. 9 Elena Dementieva. Safina also came from a set downbound (3-6, 6-2, 6-2) to intend the big W. En route to the title, the 17th-ranked Safina also toppled No. 1 Justine Henin and No. 8 Serena Williams.
Not too shabby, is it? Maybe soon they’ll stop referring to her as “the sister of two-time Grand Slam succeeder revolutionary Safin.”
(Image: Newscom)
Dinara Safina celebrates her conclusion at the Teutonic Open.
Tags: Dinara Safina, German Open, men’s tennis, Novak Djokovic, Rome Masters, womens-tennis
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All-Star Challenge Preview
Image details: Dale Earnhardt Jr celebrates the intend served by picapp.com It’s another hebdomad off from points racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but this hebdomad brings us something a lowercase assorted … NASCAR’s annual All-Star weekend from Lowe’s Motor Speedway. For those of you unfamiliar with the format of this enthusiastic race, it’s very […]
Image details: Dale Earnhardt Jr celebrates the win served by picapp.com
It’s another hebdomad off from points racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, but this hebdomad brings us something a lowercase assorted … NASCAR’s annual All-Star weekend from Lowe’s Motor Speedway. For those of you unfamiliar with the format of this enthusiastic race, it’s very assorted from what you’ll find in Major League Baseball, or the National Football League, or the National Baskeball Association. Instead of the fans voting in the best of the best, here in NASCAR, the fans module balloting in only one entry. The rest of the field module be prefabricated up of race winners of any Cup Series points race from either terminal assemblage or this year, Cup Series champions and All-Star race winners from the past decade, and the top two finishers in the Sprint Cup Showdown (formerly famous as “the Open”). If anything, I think the best comparability for the race would be to the Bass Elite Series of fishing. Go to nascar.com now to Vote For Your Favorite Driver that’s not already eligible for the All-Star Challenge itself.
The All-Star Race format itself (click on the unification to see NASCAR’s own statement of the entire race format) is rather unique as well. The race is separated up into four portions, or segments. The first segment consists of a 20-lap run, after which teams have the option to forefeit their track position in favor of a four-tire pit stop under caution. Segment 2 is another 20-lap run, but after this segment, NASCAR mandates a ten-minute stop for the teams, and the cars module return to the track in the same order that they ran at the end of the segment. Cars running at the back of the pack module be eliminated prior to the ensuing 20 laps that attain up segment three, and then again prior to the fourth and final segment. Another dominion pit stop module occur prior to the final segment, with the order of the field for the restart being observed by the order in which they exit pit road.
What’s At Stake?
So, if they’re not racing for points, ground even bother, right? Wrong. Along with bragging rights, the succeeder of the All-Star Challenge module pocket $1 million. Second place … goes home with nothing but a used up car.
The Field
The following 21 drivers are already locked into the event: histrion Truex Jr, Kurt Busch, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer, Mark Martin, Denny Hamlin, Ryan Newman, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Tony Stewart, Jeff Gordon, Jamie McMurray, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Burton, Juan Pablo Montoya, Bobby LaBonte, Dale Jarrett, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Carl Edwards.
Another 29 drivers module be vying for either a ticket in via the fan vote, or by finishing in the top two spots in the All-Star Showdown. Follow the unification for the rank Entry List for the All-Star Showdown.
What Else?
Pit selection for the teams module be observed by their finishing order in the annual Pit Crew Challenge. The Pit Crew Challenge module test teams’ speed, strength, agility, endurance, and accuracy to the limits. Last year’s rivalry was won by the Ryan Newman’s no. 12 gathering for Penske Racing.
NASCAR module also putting on their first Burnout Contest. Jimmie Johnson, Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, and Greg Biffle module all hop into identically prepared Petty Enterprises cars to perform a full drag-style burnout throughout the instruction that NASCAR has setup. The oppose module air prior to the Showdown race.
Broadcast
Coverage for the race itself begins at 7 pm eastern time on Saturday, May 17th springy on Speed with Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds, Jeff Hammond, and Krista Voda bringing you the coverage. Please meet nascar.com for a complete schedule of All-Star coverage.
All-Star Race Stats & Fun Facts
- Most All-Star Wins: Tie - Jeff Gordon, Dale Earnhardt (3 apiece)
- First All-Star Race Winner: Darrell Waltrip (1984)
- Most All-Star Showdown / Open Wins: Sterling Marlin (4)
- Best Average All-Star Finish (Drivers Locked into the Race): Jimmie President (5.2), Jeff Gordon (6.3), Matt Kenseth (7.6), Ryan Newman (7.8), Bobby LaBonte (8.4)
- Number of Drivers to Qualify Via the Showdown / Open & Go Onto Win the All-Star Race: 2 - Michael Waltrip (1996), Ryan Newman (2002)
- Most All-Star Appearances: 19 - Rusty Wallace, Mark histrion (counting this year)
- Former All-Star Winners in the Field: 7 - Kevin Harvick (2007), Jimmie President (2006, 2003), Mark histrion (2005, 1998), Matt Kenseth (2004), Ryan Newman (2002), Jeff Gordon (2001, 1997, 1995), Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000)
- Former Cup Series Champions in the Field: 7 - Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch, Matt Kenseth, Jeff Gordon, Bobby LaBonte, Dale Jarrett
- First time entrants: Clint Bowyer, Juan Pablo Montoya
- Number of Rookies to Win the All-Star Race: 2 - Dale Earnhardt Jr. (2000), Ryan Newman (2002)
- Humpy Wheeler, President of Lowe’s Motor Speedway, has predicted a intend from Carl Edwards. Humpy has been successful with his picks 8 times out of his 20 tries, and only twice in the terminal 8 years.
TZ’s Six-Pack Challenge (Bonus Round):
Fan Vote (worth 5 bonus points) - king Ragan
Showdown Winners (worth 10 bonus points each) - Kasey Kahne, Travis Kvapil
All-Star Race Winer (worth 25 bonus points) - Tony Stewart
For related articles, please meet RevJim’s NASCAR Ranting ‘n’ Raving as he runs through the NASCAR All-Stars and also go to Racing for the Win for Cesar’s predictions on Who Will Dominate the 2008 Sprint Showdown.
Tags: all-star challenge, all-star race, all-star showdown, Bobby Labonte, burnout contest, Carl Edwards, Casey Mears, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt, dale earnhardt jr, Dale Jarrett, darrell waltrip, david ragan, Denny Hamlin, Greg Biffle, humpy wheeler, Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, jeff gordon, jeff hammond, jimmie johnson, Juan Pablo Montoya, Kasey Kahne, kevin harvick, krista voda, kurt busch, Kyle Busch, larry mcreynolds, lowe’s motor speedway, mark martin, martin truex jr, Matt Kenseth, NASCAR, petty enterprises, pit gathering challenge, ryan newman, Sprint Cup Series, Sterling Marlin, Tony Stewart, travis kvapil
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