One driver can fix NASCAR's doldrums (NASCAR.com)
October 31, 2009
Like the great white shark or the bald eagle, Jimmie Johnson has no natural predators. His place atop the Sprint Cup food chain is secure. Regardless of what happens Sunday afternoon at Talladega Superspeedway, the three-time defending NASCAR champion will all but certainly continue his march toward a fourth consecutive title with a cool, ruthless efficiency that would make even Michael Schumacher blanch.
And yet, apex predators can have a difficult time stirring passions within the heart. Oh, no question, there are tons of people out there who really love Johnson—more than we give him credit for, actually—who admire his coolness and his professionalism and his ability to raise his game when it matters most. There are plenty of folks who realize that the unflappable, behind-the-sunglasses Jimmie Johnson is just a persona, and that the real guy is funny and charming and humble. And yet, as television ratings languish and race track attendance figures stagnate, it's become clear that Johnson cannot pull NASCAR out of the doldrums all by himself.
NASCAR could use Kyle Busch at… NASCAR.com – Oct 31, 2:37 pm EDT NASCAR Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();
Make no mistake about it, NASCAR is in the doldrums—ratings for Chase races have been down slightly over last year, and speedway attendance is off roughly 20 percent across the board. Point fingers all you want at Johnson, the Chase, or the current Sprint Cup car, but a lot of this is purely related to the recession, and not limited to stock-car racing. Every weekend a handful of NFL markets face local television blackouts, which the league mandates if home games are not sold out. Many college football stadiums that historically draw very well are seeing more empty seats than usual. Although the economy may be showing signs of improvement, there are still a lot of fans out there who don't have the disposable income they once did.
Still, there is no question that NASCAR could use a jump start, something to attract new fans and galvanize old ones, to add a bit of unpredictability and once again make the sport must-see TV. This time of year, with football in full swing and baseball in the final stages of its postseason, it's painful to see how lost NASCAR sometimes can get, even in the midst of its championship run. There's one guy out there with the potential to change all that, who can make the sport more relevant in a crowded landscape, and who can get even non-NASCAR fans talking about NASCAR again.
And it's not Dale Earnhardt Jr.
It's Kyle Busch.
Goodness, how NASCAR could use Busch at his bowing, rear-fender bumping, trophy-smashing best right now. This is nothing against Johnson, whose ability is unquestioned, and will go down as one of the four or five greatest drivers ever by the time his already-illustrious career is complete. But Johnson is also somewhat cautious, and somewhat conservative, and learned from mentor and teammate Jeff Gordon that one way to win championships is to avoid controversy at all costs. Busch, thankfully, never got that memo. He seems to thrive on controversy, to at times willfully create it, and in the process adds a refreshing, slightly unhinged, 3 a.m.-in-the-French-Quarter feel to a sport that too often takes itself way too seriously.
NASCAR is just more fun when Busch is winning races, and talking smack about Earnhardt's crew chief, and treating Gibson guitars like a sledgehammer, and playing with Sir Laurence Olivier flair that villain role some people love and many others simply cannot stand. Oh sure, he can be a pain sometime, running away from reporters after poor performances. And no question, the sport is worse off because Earnhardt has endured the kind of trying, disappointing season that's left his legion of fans almost apathetic. But the worst thing to happen in NASCAR this season was Kyle Busch failing to make the Chase. There's not a more interesting, fascinating, polarizing and unpredictable driver out there, and when someone like that is marginalized—as the Chase does to anyone who's not in it—NASCAR suffers as a result.
To steal a line about Reggie Jackson, Busch is the straw that stirs the drink. Not even Earnhardt, with his immense popularity, can quite fulfill that role. Sure, there are some out there who think Junior is living off the family name, as if 18 race wins at NASCAR's premier level can somehow happen by accident. For the most part, though, Earnhardt is universally beloved, particularly among old-guard fans who revered his father. If he were to run up front once again, Junior Nation would rise from its collective hibernation and there would almost certainly be more bodies in the seats. In that regard, NASCAR absolutely needs Earnhardt to start winning again. Everything about the sport is better when its biggest stars—Earnhardt and Jeff Gordon in particular—are doing well.
But the sport also needs an agitator, somebody to shake things up, and Busch is an agitator extraordinaire. While Earnhardt is sometimes too honest—as in his "end of my rope" comments from earlier this month—he's not by nature controversial. Everything about Busch is, from his personality to his driving style to his smirk to the way he celebrates. Half the grandstand thinks he's a arrogant punk. The other half thinks he's a hard-charging throwback, and a welcome departure from all the mass-produced spokesmodel drivers overrunning the sport today. Regardless, everybody pays attention. To that extent, Busch may have more in common with Dale Earnhardt the elder than even Dale Jr. does.
It's been a quiet autumn in NASCAR; Johnson running away in the points is one reason why, but Busch being out of the picture is another. Earlier this week brought the news that Joe Gibbs Racing would change crew chiefs on the No. 18 team, with Dave Rogers coming over from the Nationwide side to replace Steve Addington after Talladega. For all Busch and Addington have done together over the past two years, there's clearly been something missing in the cars over the last two-thirds of this season; as early as June, Busch talked about how he couldn't pass people when he needed to. Of course, it can't help that post-happy hour debriefs have sometimes been truncated because of Busch's commitment to the Nationwide tour, something that will be cut back to only companion events in 2010.
Maybe those changes will be enough to have Busch back to his old self next season. For NASCAR's sake, you certainly hope so. He obviously isn't the most popular driver on the circuit, and as long as Johnson is around, he probably won't be viewed as the best one, either. But these days, nobody in a stock car is better at evoking emotion at its extremes. Nobody is more capable of making some people smugly satisfied and others pitchfork-carrying mad all at the same time. Nobody is better suited to inject passion, unpredictability, controversy and drama into a sport that right now sorely needs it. Nothing is better for NASCAR than a winning, defiant, and polarizing Kyle Busch.
Start your engines! — Sign up for Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Auto Racing 09 today. And follow the race action with TrackPass on NASCAR.com.
Rain washes out qualifying at Talladega
October 31, 2009
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP)—Jimmie Johnson last started from the pole at Talladega Superspeedway in 2002, as the points leader, lined up next to Mark Martin.
He didn’t even make it to the first lap.
In a bizarre prerace mishap as the drivers were warming up their tires, a problem with Martin’s steering box caused him to run into Johnson. The two cars skidded into the infield grass, Johnson suffered damage to the front of his Chevrolet, and had dropped to the back of the field when the race began.
“Did you bring that same steering box back?” Jeff Gordon asked Martin on Saturday after rain washed out qualifying at Talladega.
The inclement weather led NASCAR to cancel the qualifying session and set the field for Sunday’s race on points—which put Johnson and Martin side-by-side again, with Hendrick Motorsports teammate Gordon right behind them in the second row.
Gordon was only joking when he hinted at potential sabotage, but both he and Martin know they need something catastrophic to happen to Johnson on Sunday for either to have a chance of challenging him for the Sprint Cup title.
The three-time defending series champion has a commanding points lead with only four races remaining in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, with Talladega as the last remaining obstacle in his path toward a record fourth consecutive title.
The fastest track in NASCAR is the worst of the 10 Chase venues for Johnson, who has one victory but an overall average finish of just 17.7 at Talladega. Because of the unpredictability of restrictor-plate racing, the unknowns facing him on Sunday have left Johnson admittedly struggling to sleep the past few days.
“Falling asleep lately has been difficult, I have to admit,” Johnson said. “The brain wonders and thinks about a lot of different things. Especially when I come to a track like this.”
The rain means all 12 Chase drivers will start at the front of the field, exactly where they want to be.
“The safest place really is leading,” Johnson said.
Not always, as Johnson learned in 2002 when Martin had his fluke incident. It was Johnson who reminded him of it this weekend.
“I’m still embarrassed about that,” Martin said. “That’s a long way in the rearview mirror. Why don’t we look forward here instead of back? Not my proudest weekend.”
Johnson, who had taken over the points lead a week earlier, wound up 37th that day and dropped to third in the standings, his title hopes over.
“I remember thinking what the hell just happened?” Johnson recalled.
It’s those kinds of flukes he’ll try to avoid Sunday, but he’s also trying not to overanalyze the potential for disaster.
“You could worry yourself to death on how things will turn out here,” he said. “All it’s going to do is shorten your fuse, potentially put the team on edge to where you make bad decisions, and we don’t need that.”
Start your engines! — Sign up for Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Auto Racing 09 today. And follow the race action with TrackPass on NASCAR.com.
Golf-Kim to meet Fisher in World Match Play final (Reuters)
October 31, 2009
By Norman Dabell
CASARES, Spain, Oct 31 (Reuters) – American Anthony Kim andBriton Ross Fisher, making their debuts in the World Match PlayChampionship, will meet in Sunday’s 36-hole final.
Ryder Cup player Kim crushed Australian Robert Allenby 5 & 4and Fisher won a marathon struggle with U.S. Masters championAngel Cabrera at the 39th hole.
Kim beat Allenby 5 & 3 in a Presidents Cup singles matchearlier this month when the pair were involved in amuch-publicised spat.
The mood between them on Saturday was less than cordial, Kimoften trying his opponent’s patience by not conceding shortputts or conceding them after the Australian had marked and waspreparing to putt.
After finishing the 18-hole morning session all-square, Kimpowered to victory on the back of another wonder shot.
He claimed his semi-final spot by crashing a three-woodapproach to just four feet on the final hole on Friday to edgeout Australian Scott Strange.
This time it was Kim’s sand-iron that worked a minor miracleas he holed out from 100 yards on the ninth for an eagle twowhich took him three ahead.
The 24-year-old American was let off the hook on theprevious hole after driving into the Andalucian wilderness andtaking a penalty shot.
FLUFFED CHIP
Instead of losing the hole, a second fluffed chip by Allenbyallowed Kim to match the Australian’s par.
“I think the eighth really sealed it for me. The ninth was alittle bit extra,” Kim told reporters.
“Robert had gifted the seventh to me so that string of holesreally helped me out.”
Allenby criticised Kim for staying out late before theirPresidents Cup match.
“I’m going to get some real rest tonight,” the American saidon Saturday. “I need to get my legs into some hot water, I feellike I’ve been back-packing all week.”
Cabrera and Fisher were also all-square in the morning, withthe Englishman hitting back over the closing holes from threedown.
The afternoon session swayed backward and forward, withFisher ahead by a hole going to the last.
Cabrera’s closing birdie then set up extra holes, all playedover the long 18th.
A stunning approach to the green at the third time of askingin the playoff, while Cabrera did not find it in three, endedwith the Argentine conceding defeat.
“I fought back really well in the morning and then hung in,”said Fisher. “It means a lot to beat the Masters champion, hehits the ball miles and shows no fear.”
(Editing by Tony Jimenez. To query or comment on this storyemail sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09
Kim to meet Fisher in World Match Play final
October 31, 2009
CASARES, Spain (AP)—Ross Fisher beat Masters champion Angel Cabrera on thethird playoff hole Saturday to set up a World Match Play Championship finalagainst Anthony Kim.
Fisher won 1-up after Cabrera needed five shots to reach the green on thefinal hole. Fisher had sent his second shot from 244 yards within 5 feet of thepin in fading light at the Finca Cortesin golf course.
Kim advanced by beating Robert Allenby 5 and 4. Kim, who beat the Australian5 and 3 at the Presidents Cup, rallied from an early two-hole deficit, pullingaway at the 27th hole when he holed an approach from 101 yards.
The American first overcame an errant tee shot on the 26th to save par andhalve before holing out from 101 yards for an eagle at 27. He sank a birdie putton the 28th for a four-hole advantage.
Anthony Kim of USA, right, rea… AP – Oct 31, 1:47 pm EDT Anthony Kim of USA follows his… AP – Oct 31, 9:52 am EDT
Angel Cabrera of Argentina fol… AP – Oct 31, 9:51 am EDT
Robert Allenby of Australia pr… AP – Oct 31, 9:45 am EDT
Ross Fisher of England looks o… AP – Oct 31, 9:42 am EDT
Angel Cabrera of Argentina loo… AP – Oct 31, 9:39 am EDT
Robert Allenby of Australia pl… AP – Oct 31, 9:31 am EDT
Anthony Kim of USA follows his… AP – Oct 31, 9:28 am EDT
Ross Fisher of England reacts … AP – Oct 31, 9:25 am EDT
Angel Cabrera of Argentina fol… AP – Oct 31, 9:22 am EDT
Anthony Kim of USA, left, shak… AP – Oct 31, 9:20 am EDT
Anthony Kim of the USA watches… AP – Oct 31, 9:19 am EDT
Ross Fisher of England follows… AP – Oct 31, 9:18 am EDT
Anthony Kim looks for his ball… AP – Oct 31, 9:18 am EDT
Ross Fisher of England follows… AP – Oct 31, 9:17 am EDT
Angel Cabrera of Argentina pre… AP – Oct 31, 9:15 am EDT
Robert Allenby of Australia sm… AP – Oct 31, 9:13 am EDT
Anthony Kim follows his shot a… AP – Oct 31, 9:08 am EDT
Robert Allenby of Australia is… AP – Oct 31, 9:05 am EDT
Robert Allenby of Australia fo… AP – Oct 31, 9:05 am EDT
Ross Fisher of England follows… AP – Oct 31, 9:03 am EDT
Angel Cabrera of Argentina poi… AP – Oct 31, 9:03 am EDT
Angel Cabrera of Argentina fol… AP – Oct 31, 8:35 am EDT
Sergio Garcia from Spain waves… AP – Oct 30, 1:30 pm EDT
Colombia's Camilo Villegas… AP – Oct 30, 10:08 am EDT
Players practice during the wo… AP – Oct 30, 10:05 am EDT
Sweden's Henrik Stenson fo… AP – Oct 30, 10:02 am EDT
Jeev Milkha Singh of India put… AP – Oct 30, 9:47 am EDT
Ross Fisher of England marks h… AP – Oct 30, 9:46 am EDT
Angel Cabrera of Argentina fol… AP – Oct 30, 9:10 am EDT
Colombian Camilo Villegas is s… AP – Oct 30, 9:06 am EDT
Colombia's Camilo Villegas… AP – Oct 30, 9:01 am EDT
England's Simon Dyson wave… AP – Oct 29, 1:27 pm EDT
Colombian Camilo Villegas play… AP – Oct 29, 1:27 pm EDT
Anges Cabrera, from Argentina,… AP – Oct 29, 1:25 pm EDT
Jeev Milkha Singh plays agains… AP – Oct 29, 1:25 pm EDT
Colombian Camilo Villegas, lef… AP – Oct 29, 1:24 pm EDT
Colombian Camilo Villegas look… AP – Oct 29, 1:22 pm EDT
Swedish Henrik Stenson plays f… AP – Oct 29, 1:09 pm EDT
Swedish Henrik Stenson plays f… AP – Oct 29, 1:00 pm EDT
Robert Allenby of Australia pl… AP – Oct 29, 10:56 am EDT
Sergio Garcia of Spain follows… AP – Oct 29, 10:49 am EDT
Oliver Wilson of England follo… AP – Oct 29, 10:48 am EDT
Martin Kaymer of Germany plays… AP – Oct 29, 10:41 am EDT
Anthony Kim of USA plays again… AP – Oct 29, 10:39 am EDT
Autralia's Scott Strange d… AP – Oct 29, 10:37 am EDT
Paul Casey of England plays ag… AP – Oct 29, 10:36 am EDT
Scott Strange of Australia wat… AP – Oct 29, 10:36 am EDT
Retief Goosen of South Africa … AP – Oct 29, 10:34 am EDT
Anthony Kim of USA watches his… AP – Oct 29, 10:34 am EDT
Sergio Garcia of Spain watches… AP – Oct 29, 10:33 am EDT
Sergio Garcia of Spain reacts … AP – Oct 29, 10:33 am EDT
Paul Casey of England plays ag… AP – Oct 29, 10:32 am EDT
Scott Strange of Australia, se… AP – Oct 29, 9:39 am EDT
Sergio Garcia of Spain watches… AP – Oct 29, 9:19 am EDT YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 54; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.74b7661868ab43819d088cd2852af08a.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf121.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=224&hc=249&q=70&sig=PsQ_TO1_QZ8npEnWcEk_8w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.34f9abb4ecca4b9182eaa1dcc97c428e.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf122.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=107&yc=1&wc=197&hc=219&q=70&sig=lSANlM0LXqSWssN5VM6Aqw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.1ba7ec1ce87a4949ab4a513e502a29ad.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf120.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=317&hc=352&q=70&sig=LgAepLrq6_.GkS4x4_hGrA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.bdc2b02df8a1421aae0397d2de82fafc.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf119.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=274&hc=304&q=70&sig=aYVYUQ7LWfIfW2FDU7DyuA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.a9bd46ed474e4def883727a3e359a54a.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf118.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=111&yc=1&wc=189&hc=210&q=70&sig=uDfyszZe9LVWHb_0nD6Fow--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.de1dbe48d4e34361a7910c3f9015af5e.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf117.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=98&yc=1&wc=217&hc=241&q=70&sig=mFiwojxdaiDgYZW7J3uOcA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.a4ade8f1c19d4b68a08b0eee62dba912.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=84&yc=1&wc=245&hc=272&q=70&sig=O1.nsMlYmSDjIJh7Aq9YuA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.57e6e6d0db64491287b67851a617b7be.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=319&hc=354&q=70&sig=OElyNmrK_uL4wsa0joyQ6Q--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.f69c490221a9499e8fc82e188c7876b2.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=XemFaUYfVjn4V0eWkvK42w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.a3509f9375374bd3adce54be660cd375.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf114.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=312&hc=347&q=70&sig=ajtQShp5epktCuq3zsRTLA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.afe04d78782c4a1986cdce8c6d12f353.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf113.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=97&yc=1&wc=217&hc=241&q=70&sig=zdujNYl6gf6oUSGWQLaXFw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.8098b64c4dc44e6e83595bead0268ced.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=329&hc=366&q=70&sig=Dpsy6np7feICFkj04hMZgg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.d42eb0e83dab4474ba901bf4d7a04ad4.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=88&yc=1&wc=236&hc=262&q=70&sig=RuS4O.I64WearLHJgPRhfA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.9d5f206ec20c442a8fcee03b52ea0d13.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=102&yc=1&wc=209&hc=232&q=70&sig=_Z6XM3jB01H3E52elqrTWQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.4777f6dbfab44c2989544f3275cd9685.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf112.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=282&hc=313&q=70&sig=ZvH0VNTckKjs8az25p3i4g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.baabbbc54cb24e4295105e8c5044b851.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=273&hc=303&q=70&sig=jzMM0CgZdE59vgZ1jkA3Xg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.5e88e5f7b5c249d7aaf2cbffb9a6f78f.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=294&hc=327&q=70&sig=Rjegcoa5wy6Oy28DgCoMfQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.f30aabafd4264129b862fcdedc3c88c0.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=96&yc=1&wc=219&hc=243&q=70&sig=igUi.CYRAZf0STQAhbcSuA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.4fd1b237c83944dca557ec5eb3aeecfc.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=315&hc=350&q=70&sig=4rYsqQbtBBaqh08AUCT_Hw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.fb0d719dc2444aed8a3ab1ee8aa4152a.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=284&hc=316&q=70&sig=U8O1VvmiloSGjUqSZxSCPQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.a5510691620a45d49209bc2f30cf8487.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=111&yc=1&wc=190&hc=211&q=70&sig=1buVGQHkOjSwUqXiOnrYTA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091031/capt.b7a8231036634fbf95bb54754fcd28ac.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=86&yc=1&wc=239&hc=266&q=70&sig=XkyV0FVAS15Fx4UQCrf7Lg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.260201f0497d4d5e96a5ae3952082f0b.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=94&yc=1&wc=223&hc=248&q=70&sig=gwQetDUbWOrvAT38ITCq1A--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.9a39e765af7b4373842542b1730a9592.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=95&yc=1&wc=221&hc=245&q=70&sig=eamF6dV6VYJDClwyxbBrYQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.53ddc3f037f84e66935062f6f2bc094b.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=88&yc=1&wc=236&hc=262&q=70&sig=rIFSi7lVwKgIM20Pwj47hQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.ace75ddb33af4e10a983c4ab9611dee2.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=88&yc=1&wc=235&hc=261&q=70&sig=idJADmRq5GeqbQkvs7wRdA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.64691e85fd87450a92ce18b46c795932.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=246&hc=273&q=70&sig=.fWb3EFJJelcPJHpDauTUg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.957fda5a96c543b9ad80555030041ca5.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=261&hc=290&q=70&sig=qsTI1vxcHEVu1YzxnGv4sA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.4692c2bad81f468db24350fc3398c6ff.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=94&yc=1&wc=224&hc=249&q=70&sig=q0FDkP.DKcnqZvSSDYmUWA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.6708104ede2345818a6cefa896657dd3.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=296&hc=329&q=70&sig=S3J8U_Dmbd_i_JYnihvQGw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091030/capt.37d505a80f1b403b8d84fe82e224f007.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=92&yc=1&wc=228&hc=253&q=70&sig=ZHVU6.Ip9bXXV_UhCtoLgQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.124cff4dc56747678ff7b418f976efba.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf122.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=270&hc=300&q=70&sig=O8GFEWPGzuboHAoRWfXR3g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.ef7accf103274f4883f6d568d4e6f125.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf121.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=92&yc=1&wc=228&hc=253&q=70&sig=sK.iohensqkLPlpk82RfGg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.a1960ba449b64d4ba650bdd346b4d4d7.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf119.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=96&yc=1&wc=221&hc=245&q=70&sig=7RwyqizFb.eQDM6m5wAThA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.0b3e3e0455e64050afe73e4b0b2cb3e8.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf120.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=90&yc=1&wc=231&hc=257&q=70&sig=chX0dIystS672FP8QAUQFA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.57abe5fe160541eaba59c133ef366957.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf117.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=92&yc=1&wc=228&hc=253&q=70&sig=zG53kqqzcalFRB.g215NZw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.03dd7420a9b24c3ea7a4032437de4c69.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf118.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=226&hc=251&q=70&sig=budj4GO8Cp5Yrz_ReEHW_g--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.e0291b9505b04853a7a1faf619bff527.aptopix_spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=102&yc=1&wc=208&hc=231&q=70&sig=cny60mDBXNmeZJ9qIimMTg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.38913a98615d47e8b3e528056149183b.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf116.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=102&yc=1&wc=208&hc=231&q=70&sig=HaEoxS.R5uuMX9p.wD0wLw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.601c5725b71c4823b3a9cb0212826ff8.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf115.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=94&yc=1&wc=222&hc=247&q=70&sig=_uaZxt1g4XEbcmEWSCA84w--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.09245e0b4f37421cb3f05a1f69ebeb25.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf114.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=224&hc=249&q=70&sig=KaWty5TcsQa8hCrvgOobDQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.52a5decfd7894184bc9181545250b74b.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=95&yc=1&wc=221&hc=245&q=70&sig=3qYt0XMZcwUYCPK_LoFFlg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.ce5e1dd1992d4948990f9fae1e072335.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf112.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=257&hc=286&q=70&sig=dtc7MtIwke2tMuwixhefJQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.cf808e9760fe4061a535c197a87c6721.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf111.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=267&hc=297&q=70&sig=NY8bYVNlQFHg8Sp4SDq0LA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.e48a16144ea54d879d8bb25090f12165.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf110.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=97&yc=1&wc=217&hc=241&q=70&sig=4OM2cAOl3RGa_I6TK_y.rw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.95a12caad9f9437089d6b5a26e0dcaa5.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf109.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=88&yc=1&wc=236&hc=262&q=70&sig=zyZ2PHFqeM3VMLwtzj57jQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.58a02a5214c041ab918a8313da6127e9.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf103.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=243&hc=270&q=70&sig=jXUUgguHwb85CfbzWGGSrw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.c716938165cb4d879c510f0e5790e4f0.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf104.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=277&hc=308&q=70&sig=ZhIxuFDE7Ed.yTf9ZHYdeg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.af89b4741e534befb21d0ec7b6803b40.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf105.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=98&yc=1&wc=215&hc=239&q=70&sig=sdWYat4BBaLn_iDGI22mUA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.df6669b1e31e49a4a7a9518955e240c0.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf106.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=101&yc=1&wc=210&hc=233&q=70&sig=DPyxl9A9nyrKKG0aVuDKKg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.6a4e6be34aaa480cb9e03a3c5c78c275.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf107.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=361&hc=401&q=70&sig=x3JrJ_IM_TQ_3LGF_.O1YA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.854b669de9d547b3992887a0efcb6bd9.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf108.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=325&hc=361&q=70&sig=KgIbKsm7TNqxHXk5FelSRg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.ea072b655ec24b07aee4929d6709fc22.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship__mf102.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=266&hc=296&q=70&sig=Sk5DXgot0Wt_eGbfBlNjQA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/ap/20091029/capt.ac1374ba76a34115a787d68d99f11146.spain_world_match_play_golf_championship_mf101.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=97&yc=1&wc=218&hc=242&q=70&sig=cdUCPEmq1HldZ_x.JXU7vw--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 55 Golf Gallery function prev_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index > 0) { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index – 1); } else { goto_photo(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index); }}function next_photo() { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index 0) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_prev, prev_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_prev, prev); } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index) { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.addClass(article_carousel_next, next_disabled); YAHOO.util.Dom.removeClass(article_carousel_next, next); }*/}function goto_photo(p) { if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { for(i = 0; i < YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos.length; i++) { if (i == p) { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, ); } else { YAHOO.util.Dom.setStyle(YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos[i], display, none); } } if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page) { YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page.innerHTML =(p + 1); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = p; } } update_buttons();}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init = function () { YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_prev, click, prev_photo); YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(article_carousel_next, click, next_photo); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_index = 0; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_current_page = YAHOO.util.Dom.get(carousel_page); YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos = YAHOO.util.Dom.getElementsByClassName(item, div, leadphoto); if (YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_photos) { goto_photo(0); }}YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_init();
Kim cited his par save at the 26th was the key.
“That was the hole that really sealed it for me,” he said.
Fisher sank birdie putts at the 32nd and 33rd holes to get ahead beforeCabrera forced the playoff by sending his second shot from the thick grass atthe last hole within 5 feet of the pin. Fisher missed his birdie attempt fromoff the green to set up sudden death.
“I figured he was going to go for it, but it was a high-risk shot and theodds of him pulling it off were slim,” Fisher said. “I saw him hit it and thenI heard the cheers and I thought ‘Oh my dear.”’
Both players missed winning putts on the first playoff hole.
Sunday’s 36-hole final will be both player’s first in their debut appearancein the event, with a $1.1 million prize on the line.
Kim barely held on to his driver at the 26th as his ball sailed left intothe bushes.
After taking relief, he pitched to 2 feet for his par, while Allenby misseda chance to trim the deficit to one hole by flubbing a chip and then pushing hisbirdie putt wide.
“What happened was pretty crucial because he gave me a gift,” Kim said.“He just miss-hit his chip a little and made par.”
Kim was elated at the 27th—a short par 4—after his sand wedge landed afew feet long before back-spinning into the hole. He then sank his birdie putton the 28th for a four-hole advantage over Allenby, who missed from 4 feet.
Allenby missed several opportunities to get within one before Kim boostedhis lead.
“The putter was pretty cold this afternoon,” Allenby said. “I just didn’tquite play good enough this afternoon and, you know, he hit a lot of great shotsand made a lot of good putts.”
Kim cruised from the 30th after taking a 5-up advantage.
“This is a very big tournament for me because it’s been a very toughyear,” said Kim, who a day earlier won his last hole to ensure his place in thelast four. “It’s very rewarding to come out here … and put on a good show.”
Fisher, who finished fourth at the Accenture Match Play Championship earlierthis year, finally got ahead on the 25th hole and was 2-up after 27.
Cabrera battled back to even it on the 30th and was 1-up after Fisherbounced his drive off a cart path and into the trees on his way to a bogey onthe 31st. But the Englishman soon took over.
“I fought back really well in the morning to give myself a great chance inthe afternoon,” Fisher said.
The last American to win the event was Corey Pavin in 1993. Shaun Micheelreached the final in 2006.
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09
Golf-World Matchplay Championship semi-final results (Reuters)
October 31, 2009
(updates after Fisher beat Cabrera on the 39th hole)
Oct 31 (Reuters) – World Matchplay Championship semi-finalresults from the Finca Cortesin golf course in Casares, Spain onSaturday (* denotes new result) * Ross Fisher (Britain) beat Angel Cabrera (Argentina) by 1hole Anthony Kim (U.S.) beat Robert Allenby (Australia) 5 & 4
(Compiled by Infostrada Sports; Editing by Tom Pilcher)
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09
Nets’ Harris out at least a week
October 31, 2009
WASHINGTON (AP)—New Jersey Nets point guard Devin Harris(notes) said he’ll besidelined at least a week because of an injured right groin.
Harris sat out Saturday night’s game against the Washington Wizards and willleave the Nets’ road trip Sunday to see a specialist in Chicago.
Harris said he’s aiming to return in seven to 10 days.
“Maybe longer,” he said. “It’s not going to be shorter.”
Harris originally hurt the groin in an exhibition game on Oct. 13 andreinjured it during Friday’s loss to Orlando.
“I’m a little past frustrated right now,” Harris said. “At this point,you’ve just got to wait it out.”
Harris averaged 15 points, 7.5 assists and 5.5 rebounds in the Nets’ firsttwo games. He said his movement was restricted during Friday’s game.
“I felt like I couldn’t beat certain guys off the dribble,” Harris said.“I can’t play that way.”
After his visit with the specialist, Harris will head to New Jersey. He saidhe wants to make sure the injury is completed healed before he returns.
“When I come back, I have to feel nothing—nothing at all,” Harris said.
Asked if he was afraid the injury was major, Harris groaned.
“No, of course not,” he said, knocking his hand on his wooden cubicle.“Seven to 10 days.”
Coach Lawrence Frank said the Nets want to “exhaust all options” to getHarris healed.
“With any player you want to do everything you can,” Frank said, “to makesure he’s healthy so it’s not recurring.”
Rafer Alston(notes) started in Harris’ place Saturday.
Green replaces Lee at QB for Nebraska
October 31, 2009
WACO, Texas (AP)—Nebraska is turning to a new quarterback in hopes of breakingout of its offensive doldrums.
Freshman Cody Green replaced incumbent Zac Lee and made his first careerstart at quarterback for the Cornhuskers against Baylor on Saturday.
Coach Bo Pelini promised changes on offense after the Huskers scored acombined 17 points in consecutive home losses to Texas Tech and Iowa State.
Lee, a junior, started the first seven games, throwing for 1,466 yards and10 touchdowns.
Green had thrown for two touchdowns and ran for two other scores in fourgames off the bench. The freshman is from Dayton, Texas, which is just outsideof Houston and about 200 miles southeast of Waco.
Golf-Viking Classic cancelled due to waterlogged course (Reuters)
October 31, 2009
NEW YORK, Oct 31 (Reuters) – The weather-hit Viking Classicwas cancelled on Saturday after the waterlogged Annandale GolfClub in Madison, Mississippi was lashed by more rain overnight.
More than 26 inches of rain have saturated the par-72 courseover the last month and officials abandoned any chance of thetournament going ahead.
The last time a PGA Tour event was cancelled and notrescheduled was the 1996 Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
In 1991 the Houston Open was completely rained out beforebeing moved from April to October when South African FultonAllem claimed the title.
(Writing by Mark Lamport-Stokes in Los Angeles, editing byTony Jimenez. To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
Tee it up with Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Golf 09
Tebow gets SEC-record 50th rushing TD
October 31, 2009
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP)—Florida quarterback Tim Tebow broke HerschelWalker’s Southeastern Conference record for rushing touchdowns Saturday.
Tebow slipped up the middle and ran mostly untouched for a 23-yard scorewith 1:32 remaining in the first half against Georgia. The 50th rushing TD ofhis career gave the top-ranked Gators a 24-10 lead.
Tebow dropped the ball briefly, and the field judge picked it up. But Tebowran back, grabbed it out of his hand and carried it to the sideline.
Tebow broke the mark in his hometown, and maybe more fittingly, againstWalker’s Bulldogs.
Walker had 49 rushing TDs in three seasons (1980-82) at Georgia. He had fivemore in bowl games, but the NCAA and the conference didn’t recognize statisticsin postseason play until recent years. Walker probably could have put the recordout of reach had he decided to return to Athens for his senior season.
Tebow, the 2007 Heisman Trophy winner, had eight rushing TDs as a freshmanin 2006, 23 in his Heisman-winning season and found the end zone 12 more timeslast year. He now has seven this season.
Tebow also finished the first half with 63 yards rushing, breaking the SECmark for career rushing yards by a quarterback. Former Arkansas star Matt Jones,who played receiver for the Jacksonville Jaguars, previously held the recordwith 2,535 yards.
Hamilton takes pole for Abu Dhabi GP (PA SportsTicker)
October 31, 2009
By CHRIS LINES AP Auto Racing Writer
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates(AP)—McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton put in a stunning final lap in qualifying Saturday to claim the pole position for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Hamilton was trailing the Red Bull drivers entering his last lap, but then circled the new Yas Marina circuit in 1 minute, 40.948 seconds to beat Sebastian Vettel by more than six-tenths of a second.
“It was a great lap, I would say the best lap I have done all year,” Hamilton said. “Winning tomorrow would be a perfect way to end the season and raise our expectations for 2010.”
The pole is the 17th of Hamilton’s career, putting him second among active drivers, one behind Fernando Alonso.
Vettel’s teammate, Mark Webber, will start from third, and the Red Bull pair believe they may be the stronger team during Sunday’s 55-lap race.
“Both of us were a little bit surprised by the gap,” Vettel said. “We will see later when we get the strategies. I think it was the maximum he could do.”
Just behind the Red Bulls were the Brawn GP cars of Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button. It was the first time both Brawns had been in the top five since the race in Valencia, Spain, indicating there was no easing off after having claimed the drivers’ and constructors’ championship.
In the third qualifying session “I had massive vibrations,” said Button, who had looked to be Hamilton’s main challenger for much of qualifying. “Every time I hit the brakes the steering wheel was shuddering.”
The next three positions will be filled by Toyota driver Jarno Trulli and BMW Sauber teammates Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, who are all expected to be starting next season with new teams.
McLaren’s joy at Hamilton’s pole was reduced marginally by the disappointment of Heikki Kovalainen’s gearbox failure. The Finn qualified in 13th, but will receive a five-place grid penalty for the gearbox change.
Ferrari was underwhelming again, with Kimi Raikkonen just missing out on the third session and qualifying in 11th, while Giancarlo Fisichella qualified last, showing no indication of coming to grips with the Ferrari after his late-season switch.
Alonso qualified in 16th, setting himself a difficult task of scoring points in his final race for Renault.
Start your engines! — Sign up for Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Auto Racing 09 today. And follow the race action with TrackPass on NASCAR.com.