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03/01/2010 - Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Danica-mania in NASCAR is over...for the time being, anyway.
The Nationwide Series received more attention than ever during the month of February due to the hype surrounding Danica Patrick's foray into stock car racing. Now, it's back to the same ole humdrum for NASCAR's second-tier series until Patrick returns in four months at New Hampshire.
Without question, Patrick's first three Nationwide races have been a learning curve, but there's plenty more for the 27-year-old to study during her stock car crash course.
Following a stellar performance in the February 6 ARCA race at Daytona, Patrick made her Nationwide debut one week earlier than expected. She finished 35th in the series' season-opener after getting caught up in a 12-car wreck just past the halfway point.
At California, Patrick finished the 300-mile race without incident, but fell three laps behind with a 31st-place result.
Patrick's run last Saturday at Las Vegas came to an end early when she made contact with Michael McDowell and then crashed into the wall on lap 85. Patrick sustained heavy damage to the front end of her car, as she retired with a 36th-place finish.
One thing Patrick has earned in her early stock car career so far is respect from her fellow competitors, particularly Las Vegas Nationwide race winner Kevin Harvick.
"Kevin Harvick was great actually," Patrick said. "Leading the race, he's telling me to go up high with him, so that was cool. I was able to run up high, and feel that line out, because he was giving me the finger out the window. That's really cool to see that, because the guy is leading the race and he's taking time to help me out."
Let's make sure we clarify the finger. Harvick did not display his middle finger as an inappropriate gesture towards her, but raised his left index finger to point her in the right direction on the track.
"I'll give anyone help if they ask," Harvick said after the race. "She's been very receptive on what she needs to do, and she's been very open on asking questions. I don't have any problem helping."
Patrick has a busy IndyCar schedule coming up, beginning with the March 14 inaugural race on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil. But Patrick won't be out of pocket with her JR Motorsports team during her Nationwide absence.
"We've put a lot of effort into these first three stock car races, but my ultimate goal is still to win the [Indianapolis] 500 and the IndyCar championship; that's the primary focus," she said. "It doesn't mean I'll lose touch with my team at JR Motorsports while I'm back in the IndyCar Series. I'll still stay in contact with [crew chief] Tony [Eury Jr.] and keep up with the guys as they get things prepared for my return in June."
In fact, additional stock car tests with JRM could be on her docket before she returns to Nationwide competition.
"I don't think that plan is completely set yet," Patrick said. "We have quite a few months to think about it, but with New Hampshire the first one that I have coming back to the season in June, I'm sure we'll try and replicate that track a little bit and try to go somewhere similar.
"I wouldn't mind if we tested all the time. I think the more I can drive the car the better."
Perhaps further testing should be in the cards for her.
Last week, Patrick spent time in both open-wheel and stock cars. She participated in an IndyCar pre-season open test at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL before heading to Las Vegas. Patrick said the transition from one car to another was "circumstantial," but admitted her getting back into a stock car was an unpleasant experience at first.
"We lowered the steering wheel, and we brought it towards me, and we're trying to get it look more like the other drivers have it," she said. "I went out there, and I was freaking out, because it felt like I was driving on top of the car. I couldn't see the steering wheel, and I felt so uncomfortable."
Hopefully, that won't be the same problem when she arrives at New Hampshire.
<< Skiles and Brooks named top coaches for February
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Skiles of the Milwaukee Bucks and
Scott Brooks from the Oklahoma City Thunder were selected as the NBA's top
coaches for the month of February.
Skiles led Milwaukee to a 10-4 record in the ye
<< Jerebko, Collison named NBA rookies of the month
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko and New
Orleans Hornets guard Darren Collison were selected as the NBA's top rookies
for the month of February.
Jerebko captured the Eastern Conference award -- sna
<< Second straight win gets Miyazato to third
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ai Miyazato's second consecutive win on
the LPGA Tour moved her up to third in this week's Women's World Golf
Rankings.
Miyazato got to fourth with her win at the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand two
<< Opening poll starts where previous left off
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first NTRA Thoroughbred Poll of 2010
has a very similar look to the last of 2009.
The final poll of last year came out after the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita
Park. Finishing in first-place was
Wozniak reaches second round in Mexico >>
Monterrey, Mexico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Seventh-seeded Aleksandra Wozniak was a
first-round winner Monday at the $220,000 Monterrey Open tennis event.
The Canadian Wozniak was tied with Laura Granville at 3-3 in the first set on
Day 1 when the
Spurs part ways with Finley >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs announced on Monday
they have released veteran guard Michael Finley.
Finley requested to be waived since his playing time waned upon his return
from a sprained ankle in late Ja
Wizards buy out G James >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Wizards waived guard Mike
James on Monday after coming to a mutual agreement on a contract buyout.
James has played just four games for Washington this year, averaging 4.5
points and
Wagner fires head men's basketball coach Deane >>
Staten Island, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wagner College fired head men's
basketball coach Mike Deane on Monday following a 5-26 season.
In his seven years as head coach of the Seahawks, Deane guided the program to
a 95-113 record.
MySportsbook.com favors Bears, Bengals, Chargers and Colts to remain perfect
LAS VEGAS , Sept. 28 - Two big match-ups of undefeated teams have fans salivating at the Week Four schedule in the NFL. The Chicago Bears stifling defense looks to provide a less than hospitable welcome to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday night in a battle of two 3-0 teams in the NFC conference. In the AFC, the San Diego Chargers (2-0) head to Maryland to face the surprising Baltimore Ravens (3-0) as both try to keep pace atop the conference standings. Betting Lines makers at MySportsbook.com, online sportsbook and casino, have set the Bears as 3.5 point favorites while the Chargers are a 2.5 point bet.
Of the three remaining undefeated teams, only one, New Orleans, enters this week's game as an underdog. Despite an emotional and resounding win over Atlanta on Monday night, the Saints are a 7.5 point underdog against the struggling Carolina Panthers. Indianapolis looks to stay perfect when they face the New York Jets as a 9 point road favorite while the Cincinnati Bengals are a 6 point favorite at home to the New England Patriots.
Six teams enter the week still looking for their first win, with a seventh, Tampa Bay, on a bye week. The prospect of dropping another game would not bode well for a potential playoff run. Since 1990, just three teams -- the 1992 Chargers, 1995 Detroit Lions and 1998 Buffalo Bills -- have overcome losing their first three games of the season to earn a postseason berth. And only the Chargers managed to accomplish the feat after starting 0-4.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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