jinpan1234
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
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started so good the first couple inn
« on: May 8th, 2015, 2:08am » |
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- A 16-driver championship field that would be whittled down to create a winner-take-all season finale is among radical changes reportedly being considered by NASCAR. NASCAR chairman Brian France has repeatedly said he wants to place a greater emphasis on winning, and hes never ruled out tinkering with the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format in an effort to create the "Game 7 moments" he covets. The Charlotte Observer first reported Friday night a possible overhaul to the Chase format that France first introduced in 2004 and has made periodic changes to several times since. Citing anonymous sources, The Observer outlined three major changes beginning with expanding the field from 12 drivers to 16 -- meaning a win during the "regular season" would virtually guarantee a driver a spot in the field. Once the field is set, The Observer said NASCAR is considering eliminations during the 10-race Chase. The field would be cut after the third, sixth and ninth races. The proposed eliminations would drop the lowest four drivers from title contention after the third, sixth and ninth races, leaving four drivers eligible for a "winner-take-all" race in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. The four remaining drivers would go into Homestead with their points reset and tied in the standings, The Observer said. A statement from NASCAR chief communications officer Brett Jewkes was non-committal on The Observer report. "NASCAR has begun the process of briefing key industry stakeholders on potential concepts to evolve its NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship format," Jewkes said. "This dialogue is the final phase of a multi-year process that has included the review of extensive fan research, partner and industry feedback and other data-driven insights. NASCAR has no plans to comment further until the stakeholder discussions are complete. We hope to announce any potential changes for the 2014 season to our media and fans very soon." But driver Denny Hamlin posted a series of Tweets on Saturday afternoon that supported the format if NASCAR ultimately moves forward with the changes. NASCAR is expected to officially outline any changes later this month. "This points system change is going to be a really good thing. Trust in it and watch how exciting each chase race is going to be," Hamlin posted. Hamlin also Tweeted that every Chase race will now be as exciting as the September race at Richmond, which is the final race to set the Chase field. He also responded to two fans who criticized the format. One argued it was "artificially construed excitement" instead of the traditional consistency that NASCAR used for decades in crowning its champion. "Consistency will keep you up top," Hamlin replied. Hamlin received support from 2012 Cup champion Brad Keselowski, who replied on Twitter to him that he also liked the reported new format. "Guess we may be in the minority here," Keselowski said. NASCAR has been working feverishly behind the scenes to improve its on-track product, particularly at 1.5-mile tracks, and at least some changes are expected to the points system to meet Frances desire to put a greater emphasis on winning. France was thrilled with the finish of the March race at California, where feuding drivers Hamlin and Joey Logano relentlessly raced for the win. The two ended up wrecking -- Hamlin ended up with a broken bone in his back that sidelined him for more than a month -- and Kyle Busch slid through the carnage for the victory as a furious Tony Stewart nearly came to blows with Logano on pit road. Its that kind of competitiveness, compelling action and drama that France seeks every week. Despite introducing The Chase in 2004, NASCAR has failed to create many of those breathtaking "Game 7" moments in the finale. The debut was successful as Kurt Busch beat Jimmie Johnson for the title by eight points, and five drivers went into the 2005 finale mathematically eligible to win the championship. Then Jimmie Johnson reeled off five consecutive championships, snapped only by Tony Stewarts race-winning, championship-deciding showing in the 2011 finale. Keselowski won easily in 2012 when Johnson was felled by mechanical problems, and it was Johnson, again, in an easy Sunday drive for win No. 6 in November. So a shake up to the system wouldnt be unexpected. But it may not necessarily look like what The Observer reported -- the newspaper was clear the format is only being considered -- because its not unlike NASCAR to float ideas to gauge reaction. For example, NASCAR officials met in October with drivers to discuss an overhaul to qualifying procedures. Among the "potential" changes discussed that day was road course-style qualifying everywhere but Daytona and Talladega. NASCAR said it was considering a 60-minute drafting session for Daytona and Talladega qualifying. In reality, cars will qualify as usual next month at Daytona while NASCAR is now apparently considering three rounds of "knockout style" qualifying -- similar to what Formula One and IndyCar use -- everywhere else but Talladega. Nike Free Run Dam Rea .28 for a combined time of 1:14.70, also an Olympic record. Lee won the gold medal, defending her title from the Vancouver Games. Nike Air Max 90 Dam . The International Ice Hockey Federation says Russia is looking for a new coach before the world championship in May in Belarus. The IIHF says Russian hockey federation officials agreed to Bilyaletdinovs departure after meeting with him on Wednesday. http://www.airmaxrea2015.com/nike-air-max-90.html. Oklahoma Citys Kevin Durant outscored New Yorks Carmelo Anthony 41-15, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the New York Knicks 112-100 on Sunday. Nike Air Max 90 Dam Rea .Its important to drink liquids during a marathon to maintain hydration. Nike Air Max 1 Dam Vita .ca. In addition to the game being aired in its entirety on CTV Two Vancouver Island and TSN.ca, TSN2 will also have coverage of Whitecaps FC immediately following NASCAR Sprint Cup Series: Toyota Owners 400.(SportsNetwork.com) - The Baltimore Orioles try to draw closer to the Toronto Blue Jays in the American League East tonight when the divisional foes continue a four-game set at Camden Yards. Baltimore trimmed the Blue Jays lead atop the division to 3 1/2 games on Thursday, as Delmon Young hit a two-run homer to help the Os take a 4-2 win. The Orioles handed Mark Buehrle his second straight loss, knocking him around for eight hits and four runs in 6 1/3 innings to help Baltimore win for the third time in four tries. Toronto will send righty Drew Hutchison to the mound on Friday, with a 4-4 records and a 3.96 ERA. Hutchison was roughed up his last time out on Sunday against St. Louis, as he gave up five runs and six hits in three innings. Hutchison could get himself righted on Friday, as he owns a 2.03 ERA in eight road starts compared to an 8.72 ERA in five home outings "Hes definitely pitched better on the road -- and some guys are like that," Gibbons said after Hutchisons latest turn. "Its hard to put a finger on it. But you cant pitch them on the road every time." The scuffling Blue Jays have lost five of their last six on the heels of an 18-3 stretch. Theyve also managed just nine runs in that span. "As hot as we were, we were going to cool off sooner or later," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "Well get it going. Were too good of an offense. Well be OK." In the series opening victory over the Blue Jays, Kevvin Gausman (2-1) picked up his second win in a row, allowing a run on five hits and three walks over six frames.dddddddddddd The former first-round pick was coming off his first win as a starter on Saturday against Oakland, when he struck out six in seven innings and gave up just four hits and one run. "He didnt quite have the command he had last time out," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter, "but thats kind of hard to duplicate." Buehrle (10-3) remained tied with Yankees rookie Masahiro Tanaka for the MLB lead in wins. He also lost to St. Louis on Saturday despite giving up just one run in seven innings, snapping a seven-start unbeaten streak Baltimore may have a hard time shrinking Torontos lead even more on Friday, as it turns to righty Ubaldo Jimenez, who has lost his last three decisions and is coming off an awful showing his last time out. Jimenez was banged around by Oakland on Sunday to the tune of six runs and two hits with five walks in just 2 1/3 innings, as he fell to 2-7 to go along with a 5.01 ERA. Jimenez had faced the minimum batters through two innings before the wheels came off in the third. "I started so good the first couple innings, and then that inning I lost the ability to throw a strike," Jimenez said. "Its one of those days. Its a really tough game." Jimenez is 2-2 in six starts versus the Blue Jays with a 5.23 ERA. Baltimore has won four of its seven matchups with the Blue Jays this season. cheap jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '
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