Jeter, hitting coach to do extra work
February 28, 2011
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP)—Derek Jeter(notes) will be doing extra work with hittingcoach Kevin Long as the New York Yankees captain adjusts to a change in hisstride at the plate.
The pair are set for an additional session Tuesday at the Yankees’ complex.Jeter was not scheduled to make the road trip for a spring training game againstPittsburgh.
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“We’re going to work even a little bit more than we’ve been working,” Longsaid after the Yankees were beaten 6-2 by Detroit on Monday. “His timing isjust a little bit off on the outside pitch. He’s got to wait a little longer onthose pitches. And the ones inside, he’s a little late on.”
Jeter is no longer striding with his left foot. He made a smaller adjustmentlate last season, shortening his stride after a session with Long.
Derek Jeter(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Jeter batted .270 last year, 44 points below his career average. Early onthis year, he’s acknowledged that he doesn’t feel comfortable at the plate, andhe asked Long for the additional workout.
“We can’t go crazy here,” Long said. “He’s just starting out springtraining. He’s just like anybody else. He’s still got to get his timing, whetherhe was doing what he did before or what he’s doing now. You’ve got to bepatient.”
Jeter has one hit in his first two spring training games, a ground single toleft.
“I’ve got to get used to it,” Jeter said. “I’m trying to get comfortablewith it.”
Long is hopeful that Jeter will be at ease with the change about a weekbefore the regular-season opener on March 31.
“That would be ideal,” Long said. “This is going to be a process. Itisn’t going to happen overnight. It’s something that’s new to him.”
It’s likely Jeter will play in extra games, and possibly take part insimulated situations, to get more at-bats this spring.
“I could see that coming into the picture,” Long said. “He doesn’t feelreal comfortable up there yet. I’m not discouraged. I’m looking forward togetting it right, and we will.”
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Ohio State looks to clinch Big Ten
February 28, 2011
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP)—Penn State’s four senior starters will face theirtoughest opponent of the season in their last home game.
What a way for record-setting guard Talor Battle and his classmates to windup their careers Tuesday in Happy Valley—hosting Ohio State in the Buckeyes’first game since vaulting back into the No. 1 spot Monday in the AP Top 25 poll.
“It’s a great, great situation to have. The No. 1 team, the last game athome,” senior Jeff Brooks said Monday. “It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
These border rivals find themselves on opposite ends of the NCAA tournamentspectrum.
The Buckeyes (27-2, 14-2 Big Ten) are a tournament lock and can clinch theregular-season league title by winning their final two games. After beatingIndiana 82-61 on Sunday, Ohio State faces a tough, NCAA tourney-like turnaroundby having to play Penn State two days later on the road.
“Go to sleep. Get some rest, stay off your legs,” Buckeyes forward DavidLighty said Sunday. “Hopefully get a ride around campus going to class. Justbeing smart, pretty much. And hydrate as much as possible since we play in ashort span of time.
At Penn State (15-12, 8-8), Wednesday’s contest means so much more than justgiving fans a chance to say goodbye to Battle, Brooks and fellow senior startersAndrew Jones and David Jackson.
An upset of the Buckeyes—who have won 14 straight in this series— wouldgive a tremendous boost to the Nittany Lions’ flailing NCAA tournament hopes.
No pressure, guys.
“We’re trying to build our resume, just like a lot of other teams aretrying to build their resumes,” Penn State coach Ed DeChellis said. “We haveto put our best foot forward and try to continue to win games, and the next onejust happens to be Ohio State.”
The Buckeyes just happen to be the last opponent to be ranked No. 1, in thecoaches poll, while playing Penn State, a 68-60 win for Ohio State in Columbuson Feb. 21, 2007. The Nittany Lions are 0-11 against top-ranked teams in eitherpoll.
But Penn State can be tough at home, where their 6-2 league record includesupsets against ranked foes Michigan State, Illinois and Wisconsin. DeChellis’crew is 3-1 in their last four as it enters the final week of the season.
The Nittany Lions can take little comfort with having lost to Ohio State byjust three points, 69-66, in the teams’ last meeting on Jan. 15 in Columbus. AndPenn State has played reasonably well at home against the Buckeyes in recentyears, including a 64-62 loss in 2007.
“They’ve got four seniors and obviously with Talor Battle, one of the bestguards in the league,” Ohio State coach Thad Matta said. “Obviously, with thegame here (on Sunday afternoon) it’s going to be a tremendous challenge forus.”
Battle has led the way as usual, the do-it-all sparkplug who had made acareer of hitting clutch shots. The 6-foot guard is just six rebounds shy ofbecoming only the third Division I player to amass 2,000 points, 600 reboundsand 500 assists in his career, a plateau only reached by Duke’s Danny Ferry andMaryland’s Greivis Vasquez.
But it’s the frontcourt of Jones, Brooks and Jackson that could provide thedifference. The low-possession Nittany Lions are much tougher when theirforwards are rebounding with vigor and keeping possessions alive on theoffensive end—like during the January win streak over ranked foes.
The Nittany Lions have no choice but to assert themselves against theBuckeyes and star freshman forward Jared Sullinger if they want to make a casefor ending its decade-long NCAA tournament drought.
“We need to have the game tomorrow night,” DeChellis said. “I don’t carewho it is.”
A fifth senior—little-used walk-on Steve Kirkpatrick—is also expected tostart against Ohio State in his final home game, in place of sophomore pointguard Tim Frazier.
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Crawford 0 for 3 in Red Sox spring debut
February 28, 2011
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP)—Not much to remember from Carl Crawford’s(notes) springtraining debut for the Boston Red Sox.
The $142 million man was 0 for 3 in Monday’s 7-6 win over the MinnesotaTwins. David Ortiz(notes) hit a three-run homer, and Josh Reddick(notes) hit a two-run drive.
“First time I’ve ever seen Carl in a Boston uniform, so that was good,”Red Sox manager Terry Francona said. “It’s just two games into springtraining.”
Boston Red Sox player Ryan Kal… AP – Feb 28, 3:39 pm EST Minnesota Twins Manager Ron Ga… AP – Feb 28, 3:24 pm EST
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Daisuke Matsuzaka(notes) allowed one run in two innings—on a Jason Kubel(notes) homer inthe first. He struck out one and walked one, throwing 14 of 25 pitches forstrikes.
“Very good velocity. That was exciting to see that, especially early on,”Francona said. “Very aggressive with his fastball. Had some good life to it. Iwas excited about that.”
Matsuzaka, who has battled control issues, was satisfied with hisappearance.
“As it’s the first outing of the spring season, the fastball is runningpretty well,” he said through interpreter Kenta Yamada. “That’s something I’mvery confident with. Overall, I think I did a very good job as a first outing.”
Twins starter Nick Blackburn(notes) gave up two hits in two scoreless innings,throwing 18 of 28 pitches for strikes.
“He went right at the hitters,” Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. “Goodvelocity and good movement.”
Blackburn is adding a slider back to his repertoire following a 10-12 recordlast year.
“Last year, I didn’t have a great season,” he said. “But I learned how topitch without my slider, which is something that I haven’t been able to do formy entire career. Hopefully adding that slider will make it a little easier,won’t have to rely on the sinker as much, kind of mix it up, give me an extrapitch.”
Loser James Hoey gave up Reddick’s seventh-inning homer.
“Good arm, great arm,” Gardenhire said. “The ball really came out of hishand. I mean the ball was flying out there today. But even the pitch the guywent deep on was not a bad pitch. It was down, with an angle and good velocity.I like to see that velocity.”
Luke Hughes(notes) hit a two-run homer in the third against knuckleballer TimWakefield(notes).
Ortiz’s homer to right field came with Jacoby Ellsbury(notes) and Dustin Pedroia(notes) onbase. Ortiz has gotten off to slow starts the past two years.
Although, it’s spring training, Francona was happy with the swing Ortiztook.
“I think it counts,” Francona said. “I’d much rather see guys swing goodthan not good. The way they go through spring training, there’s no way, youdon’t see it very often where guys get hot, because they don’t play every day.They’re not supposed to. If we played David a week in a row, he would probablyfind his swing, but he’d find it in February. We need guys to grow into it orbuild into it. I was excited because he kept that ball fair. He kept his handsin and didn’t hook it foul. It was a pretty swing.”
Tide, Gators meet with SEC title on line
February 28, 2011
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP)—Anthony Grant can’t escape the memories of the lasttime Alabama played Florida with a Southeastern Conference title on the line.
The Crimson Tide coach was an assistant under the Gators’ Billy Donovan whenAntoine Pettway’s buzzer-beating layup gave No. 5 Alabama a 65-64 win over No. 8Florida on Feb. 23, 2002, and its first SEC championship in 15 years.
They’ll try to break a 9-year title drought Tuesday night at No. 14 Florida(22-6, 11-3), when the winner locks up at least a share of the SEC.
For Alabama (19-9, 11-3), it would be hard to top the last time. Pettway’sbasket has become one of the most famous in ‘Bama history, immortalized inpainting by Birmingham sports artist Daniel Moore.
A picture of the shot greets Grant each morning as he strolls into theoffice.
“He says I go around putting the painting up at all the restaurants he goesto,” Pettway, now Grant’s director of basketball operations, said Monday. “Wedon’t let him forget it.”
Grant uses the same phrase when asked about the game.
“Pettway doesn’t let me forget it,” he said, smiling.
A recap: Florida’s James White missed the front end of a 1-and-1 with 16seconds left. Then Pettway laid it off the glass after a feed from adouble-teamed Earnest Shelton.
Since that memorable game 9 years ago, Alabama has only posted two winningmarks in SEC games.
Pettway said he won’t bother talking about that one to the current players,some of whom were only 9 at the time.
“They were too young. They don’t remember it,” he said.
Not so, for Grant and senior forward Chris Hines.
“I definitely remember that game,” said Hines, who played on Pettway’s AAUteam. “It was a very high-impact game.”
Asked what he remembers, Grant said: “The missed free throw, obviously thelayup to win the game and the excitement really. The celebration at the end ofthe game.”
He’ll rekindle even more memories with his first time leading Alabama backinto O’Connell Center, where he spent 10 seasons, the last five as Florida’sassociate head coach.
“I’m sure there will be (emotions),” Grant said. “That’s just natural.It’s the first time going back in there, but the good thing about it is I don’thave to play. It’ll be our guys against coach’s guys.”
The Gators won the first meeting between Grant and Donovan 66-65 last seasonat Coleman Coliseum, nearly a mirror image of the 2002 score.
Only without the painting.
Pettway and his mother and father each have copies of Moore’s print titled“The Put Away”, but his is stashed in a closet until his wife finds a spot forit.
This situation does bring back memories.
“It was the same kind of scenario,” Pettway said. “You really just thinkabout the opportunity these guys have and the hard work they’ve put in. That’smost of what comes to my mind. It’s just a chance to really be winners and bechampions.”
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Halladay blanks Blue Jays for 2 innings
February 28, 2011
DUNEDIN, Fla. (AP)—Roy Halladay(notes) pitched two shutout innings against hisformer team in his first start of spring training, leading the PhiladelphiaPhillies over the Toronto Blue Jays 6-3 Monday.
Halladay allowed two hits, struck out one and walked one. He pitched for theBlue Jays from 1998-09, then was traded to the Phillies.
Toronto Blue Jays left fielder… AP – Feb 28, 5:11 pm EST Toronto Blue Jays manager John… AP – Feb 28, 5:11 pm EST
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Toronto Blue Jays starting pit… AP – Feb 28, 3:29 pm EST
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“Just being in the game again is fun,” said Halladay, who led the NL with21 wins last season. “You can throw as many bullpens and you want but it’salways different once you get out there. It’s always fun getting back outthere.”
Halladay limited the Blue Jays to two singles, striking out one and issuingone walk.
“There’s a couple things I want to try,” Halladay said, “but for the mostpart, the biggest thing is just getting back comfortable. … There were timestoday where I felt good, felt good about the pitches I made, and there weretimes I felt a long way from where I need to be. Overall, it’s about what Iexpected.”
Carlos Ruiz(notes) had a two-run double in the second inning off Blue Jays starterJo-Jo Reyes(notes), and Placido Polanco(notes) had a two-run single off Carlos Villanueva(notes) in athree-run fourth.
Mike McCoy(notes) doubled in the seventh to end a 24-inning scoreless streak forthe Blue Jays. They added two more in the ninth off Scott Mathieson(notes) on JonDiaz’s double, Eric Thames’ triple and a sacrifice fly.
Toronto finished with eight hits, matching the combined total in two lossesto Detroit in the first two spring games, but the Blue Jays also committed fiveerrors.
NOTES: Toronto RHP Kyle Drabek(notes) was scratched from Monday’s start due to astiff neck. He is scheduled to start Saturday against Detroit. … LHP JesseCarlson(notes) will sit for several days with inflammation in his left shoulder. RHPAlan Farina replaced him in the Blue Jays’ bullpen. … Toronto OF TravisSnider(notes), who pulled an upper ribcage muscle playing golf before spring training,took batting practice Monday and likely will play next weekend. … MichaelWeiner, head of the players’ union, met with the Blue Jays before the game. Hesaid he expects there will be one or two formal bargaining meetings with theowners during spring training “and we’ll begin in earnest, I think, wheneverybody’s back and the season begins.” … Cliff Lee(notes) is scheduled to startfor the host Phillies against Detroit’s split squad and Andy Oliver(notes) atClearwater. Jacob Turner(notes) and the other half of the Tigers’ squad will facevisiting Toronto and Ricky Romero(notes) at Lakeland.
Cabrera plays first game since arrest
February 28, 2011
LAKELAND, Fla. (AP)—Miguel Cabrera(notes) played his first game following hisarrest, going 0-for-2 with a walk as the Detroit Tigers’ designated hitterMonday in a 6-2 win over the New York Yankees.
Cabrera batted cleanup, his first appearance since his arrest on Feb. 16 onsuspicion of driving under the influence and resisting an officer withoutviolence. He is to be arraigned on March 16.
New York Yankees ' Derek J… AP – Feb 28, 5:58 pm EST Detroit Tigers third baseman B… AP – Feb 28, 5:37 pm EST
Detroit Tigers ' Miguel Ca… AP – Feb 28, 5:28 pm EST
New York Yankees ' Jorge V… AP – Feb 28, 5:21 pm EST
New York Yankees third baseman… AP – Feb 28, 4:10 pm EST
Detroit Tigers starting pitche… AP – Feb 28, 3:49 pm EST
New York Yankees starting pitc… AP – Feb 28, 3:42 pm EST
New York Yankees left fielder … AP – Feb 28, 3:38 pm EST
Detroit Tigers ' Miguel Ca… AP – Feb 28, 3:27 pm EST YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_last_index = 8; YAHOO.Sports.article_carousel_lazy_images = [http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/e5/fullj.7bd3b2fa65434af41a2469997d5e375a/ap-ba9555b3c7bf4a338de4dc696a86e900.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=395&hc=438&q=70&sig=SLuil5T9Ii90utRKY4fdVw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/dd/fullj.9412ca45b8ba7b1203e09a7f557df20c/ap-525331b022374585938b8e080288a0e6.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=96&yc=1&wc=250&hc=278&q=70&sig=SjOSxa7M2Vj8w3Rlh3ATBA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/1d/fullj.2c8bab0ca7cc54d285f9d7cb3f66763e/ap-5ea0e9b0d7b44dccb429304d28e3aaa6.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=92&yc=1&wc=258&hc=287&q=70&sig=KeWu5dspkP.GgQm3lChtgg--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/22/fullj.064730bacc170ac721cb5b20a122f533/ap-143980ae88754944b62c162a285e27dd.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=354&hc=393&q=70&sig=bimL9luiE3ss3uAaTibleQ--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/02/fullj.6386863e598b198579bdb7d87149f40f/ap-7b1474e66a134c5a84a972775c0f8b82.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=360&hc=400&q=70&sig=TIRHJTAWKLzlHFJuH0XxQA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/51/fullj.663c25760988a9e80d92b18703a41fda/ap-8d86f95d84c742a486b49a093c60a340.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=1&yc=1&wc=334&hc=371&q=70&sig=sZn7Gk0Ya6EMgkMpcOukWw--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/ae/fullj.396b46af359b574eab1f67c64b8c492d/ap-7d2a364b96834c8098512a32c736bf18.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=93&yc=1&wc=255&hc=284&q=70&sig=ZjwusXJgxvPfVJq5fXGaYA--,http://d.yimg.com/a/p/sp/ap/27/fullj.cfe1ef52f9d19dc0d1a74b1cb7e3c2d4/ap-91d544842ff946e3b125d655707293aa.jpg?x=180&y=200&xc=79&yc=1&wc=284&hc=316&q=70&sig=hKCmHdlu2dvq5RtljB_dug--]; YAHOO.util.Event.addListener(window,load,YAHOO.Sports.articleLazyLoadCarousel.init); 1 of 9 NYY-Det 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();
Cabrera said he is looking forward to playing the field, but manager JimLeyland said he will DH again Tuesday against Toronto.
Justin Verlander(notes) and Rick Porcello(notes) each pitched two scoreless innings forthe Tigers.
CC Sabathia(notes) allowed two hits and struck out two for the Yankees. The Tigersscored two runs each in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings.
New York took a 2-0 lead in the fifth, ending Detroit’s 22-inning scorelessstreak.
Louisville F Buckles done for season
February 28, 2011
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)—Louisville sophomore forward Rakeem Buckles will missthe rest of the season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his rightknee.
Buckles injured the knee in the first half of Louisville’s 62-59 win overPittsburgh on Sunday. Buckles fell awkwardly after attempting a short jumper andhad to be helped off the floor. He watched the second half from the bench in asweatsuit with his knee heavily wrapped.
An MRI exam taken late Sunday night located the tear. He will have surgerysometime in the next two weeks. There is no immediate timetable for his return.
The injury caps a difficult season for Buckles, who missed 12 games earlierin the year after breaking his left index finger in practice. He averaged 6.8points and 6.1 rebounds in 16 games this season.
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Head2Head: Does Phoenix Int’l Raceway need to be repaved? (NASCAR.com)
February 28, 2011
Jeff Gordon hadn’t even left the track yet and the bulldozers were already hard at work. Immediately following the Cup race, Phoenix International Raceway began it’s repaving project.
The 20-year old surface is being repaved, and will have a new look when NASCAR returns in November with variable banking added and the dogleg being extended. After a successful race weekend, does PIR really need all these changes? David Caraviello and Bill Kimm have their thoughts—read theirs and weigh in with yours in the comments below. And don’t forget to vote for whose argument you agree with more in the poll at the right.
Does Phoenix International Raceway need to be repaved?
YES NO
Excuse Bill Kimm. He simply doesn’t know. As the Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Hiking Club, or any random Gila monster can tell you, the Sonoran Desert is an inhospitable place. Those of us who’ve served our time there—and I have the empty sunscreen tubes and water bottles to prove it—know the Valley of the Sun is an often-blistering locale that can test the limits of any living thing.
Asphalt may not be living, but it comes close in the way it breathes and bends and gets beaten by the elements. After two decades of baking in the sun, the pavement at Phoenix is due for a break. So before any Daytona-like gouges sprout in a surface that’s already patched up like an old pair of jeans, break out the jackhammers and get to work on a new coat of asphalt that will extend the life of one of NASCAR’s best tracks.
I understand that repaving makes some people jumpy. But let’s be honest—we in NASCAR see Phoenix at its most temperate, not during the rest of the year when it’s hot enough to make horned lizards spontaneously combust. What kind of toll does that take on a track surface? Turn your oven to about 200 degrees, stick a brick in there, and check on it again in 10 months.
So don’t be afraid of repaving PIR. A new surface, a tighter dogleg, and a wider groove will be the result. Don’t believe me? Hike out there and take a look. Just bring plenty of sunscreen and water. And watch out for the Gila monsters.
• David Caraviello, NASCAR.COMThe opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
I get that tracks need to be repaved—it’s a necessary evil in motorsports. But I live by the motto: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” And the racing that I saw Sunday at Phoenix shows the track is anything but broken.
What a fantastic race. The Cup race Sunday had phenomenal action in the beginning—as Phoenix almost always offers, and then when the field thinned out, some great side-by-side action along with exciting position battles. Pave Phoenix and all that goes away.
When NASCAR returns in November, for the penultimate race of the season by the way, it’s all a crap shoot. The drivers and teams won’t know how the tires will react; won’t know how the cars will handle; heck, they are even changing the layout of the track meaning PIR will look nothing like it did Sunday.
The sad thing is, the track is in great shape. Phoenix has character. There is a style to Phoenix that isn’t seen anywhere else on the circuit. The track has spent 20 years building up its personality—and now that’s all gone.
And I’m not alone. Jimmie Johnson and others in the garage have voiced their concern about repaving the 1-mile facility.
Repaving is part of this sport, there’s no getting around it. But why not wait until its necessary? Right now Phoenix is gambling. How much will the racing change? I guess we will all find out right before crowning this year’s champions.
• Bill Kimm, NASCAR.COMThe opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.
In The Pits: NASCAR off to a fast start (PA SportsTicker)
February 28, 2011
By JENNA FRYER AP Auto Racing Writer
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—The joke in NASCAR has long been that most races are scripted to satisfy the suits in the scoring tower high above the track. If it were true – and, to be clear, it’s not – then NASCAR needs to give its writers a raise.
NASCAR could not have dreamed a better opening two weeks to the season – the youngest winner in Daytona 500 history followed by the end of elder statesman Jeff Gordon’s 66-race losing streak.
The competition has been stellar, with the first two races boasting record lead changes. The 28 on Sunday at Phoenix were the most in a race there in almost 11 years.
The crowds were good – Phoenix, which seats 55,000, was officially listed as a sellout – and overnight ratings from Sunday show Fox has drawn more viewers both weeks.
More important, though, is the buzz since 20-year-old Trevor Bayne’s upset Feb. 20 to win the showcase race. It did wonders in attracting onlookers, including hot young Hollywood actress Emmy Rossum, who sang the national anthem at Phoenix.
“NASCAR is epic,” the 24-year-old posted on her Twitter page after the race, adding that her lap around the track with Bayne and her time in Carl Edwards’ pit was one “of the coolest experiences of my life.”
Now NASCAR has Gordon, a 20-year veteran and four-time champion, back in Victory Lane after a drought that stretched almost two years, an outcome that sits well with the sport’s aging fan base. The fresh-faced Bayne, meanwhile, attracted the coveted 18-to-34-year-old audience.
Either way, it’s got the series headed in the right direction after several sagging seasons.
“It’s the kind of excitement that causes you to wonder what will happen next week in Las Vegas,” NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said Monday.
Indeed, things could really get interesting this weekend when the Busch Brothers return to their home track ranked first and second in the Sprint Cup Series standings. Kyle Busch rolls into Sin City as the points leader, with a three-point cushion over older brother, Kurt.
They are the only two drivers to nab top-10 finishes in both of the season-opening races. Kyle finished second Sunday to Gordon, preventing him from sweeping the weekend at Phoenix after wins in the Nationwide and Trucks Series. Kurt won the first two exhibition races at Daytona and was in position late to win the 500 before settling for fifth.
Both view Las Vegas Motor Speedway as the Holy Grail on the NASCAR circuit – Kyle won there in 2009, Kurt’s best finish was third in 2005 – and nobody doubts they’d run each other over to get to Victory Lane.
The only thing that could possibly push NASCAR’s rebound further along is a win by Dale Earnhardt Jr., but his fans have to be pleased with his season so far. Granted, it’s only two races in and far too early to determine if his pairing with new crew chief Steve Letarte will be a success, but NASCAR’s most popular driver has shown signs of life even as his winless streak hit 95 races on Sunday.
He led nine laps at Daytona and was in position to make a late push for the victory until a flat tire sabotaged his strategy. But his 10th-place finish Sunday was his best at Phoenix since 2008, and gives him momentum heading into Las Vegas, where he qualified fourth last year and finished 16th.
“It’s the best I’ve run around here in a long time,” he said, referring to Sunday’s race. “I do want to run better. Definitely not jumping up and down over what we did, but this is a step in the right direction. This is a leap in the right direction for me over the last several trips at Phoenix.”
It’s up to the fans to decide if the first two weeks are enough to keep them interested for 34 more races. And while there are still issues to be ironed out – the middle sections of races can lull some viewers to sleep, and Fox’s abbreviated post-race shows leave most unsatisfied – NASCAR finally appears to be doing something right.
Ahman Green to play for Montreal of CFL
February 28, 2011
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)—Running back Ahman Green says he has agreed to play inthe CFL next season for the defending Grey Cup champion Montreal Alouettes.
The 34-year-old Green is the all-time leading rusher for the Green BayPackers. He played last season for the Omaha Nighthawks of the United FootballLeague.
Green said Monday that Dahrran Diedrick, who has played four-plus seasonsfor Montreal, put him in touch with Alouettes management. Both Green andDiedrick played at Nebraska.
The CFL season begins in June, and Green said he’s hopeful an NFL team willgive him another opportunity.
Green rushed for 9,025 yards for three NFL teams from 1998-2009. He averaged3.7 yards a carry in eight games for the Nighthawks.