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03/16/2010 - Talladega, AL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Twenty-five Sprint Cup Series teams participated in a one-day test session at Talladega Superspeedway to determine the potential size of carburetor restrictor-plate openings and familiarize drivers with the new rear spoiler on the current cars.
While no announcement has been made yet, NASCAR is expected to replace the rear wing with the spoiler on the Car of Tomorrow (COT) prior to the April 25 Aaron's 499 at Talladega.
The wing has been a fixture of the COT since its debut three years ago at Bristol, where the series runs later this week. Teams have raised concerns about the wing, since it has reduced downforce on the cars. The spoiler was used on the previous cars.
NASCAR has been looking at ways to improve the COT, particularly after Carl Edwards' spectacular crash last April at Talladega. Edwards' car flew into the safety fence along the frontstretch on the final lap, injuring several fans in the grandstands. The incident raised concerns about the car.
Teams used various plate hole sizes in Tuesday's testing at Talladega.
"With the bigger plate and the bigger spoiler, the car accelerates a lot faster," Martin Truex Jr. said. "The cars definitely get up to speed a lot quicker. They feel like they have a lot more drag on them."
The morning session featured single-car runs, while drafting took place later in the day.
"I felt like we learned some things, enough to where we could go ahead and start getting in the draft," Jeff Gordon said after the morning session. "There was about five of us out there. It was definitely productive. Nothing eye-opening. Felt like it went well. The cars have a little bit more turbulent air when you're behind other cars."
NASCAR might also make modifications to the restrictor plates for Talladega.
"Today is primarily a confirmation test that the gear ratio we select is right and is compatible with the restrictor plate size," NASCAR manager director of competition John Darby said.
NASCAR used a bigger restrictor plate for last month's Daytona 500 to allow drivers to have more horsepower. The size of the plate holes was increased to 63/64ths of an inch, making it the largest restrictor plate since the 1989 Daytona 500.
<< Rams add veteran C Fraley
St. Louis, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The St. Louis Rams announced the signing of
veteran center Hank Fraley on Tuesday.
Fraley is entering his 11th season in the NFL after spending the previous four
campaigns with Cleveland. Terms of the deal
<< Dixon out as Furman women's hoops coach
Greenville, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Furman University announced Tuesday the
resignation of women's head basketball coach Sam Dixon.
Dixon spent the last eight seasons guiding the program and exits after a 8-24
season in 2009-10.
"We
<< Browns re-sign CB Ventrone, TE Estandia
Berea, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Cleveland Browns have re-signed cornerback
Ray Ventrone and tight end Greg Estandia.
Ventrone signed with the Browns as a free agent last September and appeared
mostly on special teams in 2009, where h
<< Jets sign DE Wright
Florham Park, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Jets signed defensive end
Rodrique Wright on Tuesday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Wright was inactive for the entire 2008 season as a member of Miami and was
waived by the Dol
Bears sign CB Jennings, release FB McKie >>
Lake Forest, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bears made a pair of moves
Tuesday, signing cornerback Tim Jennings to a two-year contract while
releasing fullback Jason McKie.
Jennings spent the first four years of his NFL care
Oregon ousts hoops coach Kent >>
Eugene, OR (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oregon Ducks have terminated the contract
of men's head basketball coach Ernie Kent after 13 years guiding the program.
Kent had two years remaining on his contract but had been rumored to be out
follo
Eagles acquire DE Tapp from Seattle >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Eagles acquired defensive
end Darryl Tapp from the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for defensive end Chris
Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round draft pick.
Tapp had re-signed with Seattle on Mond
Yankees hire former Padres GM Towers >>
Tampa, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Towers was named a special assignment scout
for the New York Yankees Tuesday after spending the last 15 years as the
general manager of the San Diego Padres.
Towers spent 26 seasons total with the Pa
Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.
NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."
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