Kritik und Lob » d Cup qualifying. The camp i

There are a few times a year where drivers thoughts might be dominated by the winnings associated with first place in a NASCAR race.This weekend is not one of them. This weekend the objective of every potential winning driver is to earn a grandfather clock.Every driver who has won at Martinsville immediately acknowledges the significance of the tradition and the value of earning one the most coveted trophies in all of sports.A few years back, Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- a three-time Daytona 500 winner -- boiled over in emotion celebrating in Martinsvilles Victory Lane as though he had never won a race.I understand it, and I never tire of it because Martinsville is a special place.Here are some drivers I have my eye on:Martin Truex Jr.: He was the first of my four pre-Chase picks for Miami to be eliminated.I was disappointed for Martin because hes had a phenomenal season, a season worthy of a championship, and he has been without question the fastest car in the series week in and week out.The disappointment didnt stall his or his teams attitude toward finishing the season on a high note.Martin told me Monday how determined he was to win a grandfather clock.Winning the pole position on Friday sets him up very well to meet that goal.Brad Keselowski:?Having also been eliminated last week at Talladega suggested he has unfinished business in that winning the most races this season would be a strong concession prize to a second title.These two drivers being on the outside looking in sets up an interesting dynamic because collectively they could win the next three races, meaning no Chase driver would automatically punch his ticket to the final round.These two drivers getting knocked out in the second round are the equivalent of a couple 14-2 teams getting knocked out in the NFL playoffs, and both were knocked out primarily due to mechanical failures -- blown engines -- last week.The pressure and the burden of battling to advance no longer exist for Martin and Brad. They were dangerous in the Chase, and I think that they are even more credible and more dangerous in terms of winning races now that theyre outDenny Hamlin: If you havent bought into the idea of Denny winning his first Sprint Cup Series title, you should probably take a moment and study the numbers.The driver from Virginia has been a perennial Chase driver. He has also won a race every season hes competed in the Sprint Cup Series.What makes this season a little more convincing is his qualifying efforts are absolutely remarkable.His sixth-place average start is a fundamental cornerstone toward achieving a title. It sets the tone for your weekend, gives you preferential pit road entry and exit, establishes an early advantage in track position and allows you to make adjustments to your car in the first or second pit stop.Running out front of all the dirty air in traffic during a race is not a guarantee of a ring, but what Denny has done most Fridays in qualifying this year helps his chances considerably.I also believe hes galvanized by the disappointments of seasons past. There seemed to be the potential for a letdown going into last weeks race at Talladega, a race where he had very little wiggle room and more than likely needed a top-5 finish to advance.Unlike all the other drivers I reached out to last week, Denny told me he was going to race like his season depended on him winning. He did that lap after lap in an environment thats very unforgiving, very volatile and forever changing.When it mattered most, the final turn of the final lap, Denny inched his way by Kurt Busch just enough to advance to the next round of the Chase.Ive always admired Denny Hamlins ability, and I can truly tell you that I admire his mental toughness this year.He was a pre-Chase Homestead pick of mine, and due to his efforts through the first six races, my opinion has only been enhanced.The Bottom LineI love Martinsville more than any track we compete at. The paperclip-shaped half-mile track represents the very origin of how we all begin racing.Short-track racing is the purest form of NASCAR competition. All elements apply,Horsepower, mechanical grip (handling), tire management, preserving your brakes and track position. Its all there.Whats not prevalent at the Virginia track is the dependency on aerodynamic downforce. That in itself makes this track a cure-all toward one of our sports greatest obstacles.There will be no aero push here, but there will be plenty of push.Bumpers come into play at this race track like no other on the Sprint Cup schedule.Bumpers are used to initiate a pass, used to return the favor. Bumpers are used for retaliation or to simply send a message.Im here, if you hold me back, the next bump will be a bit more aggressive. Its synonymous with short-track racing. Thats why we all look so forward to this event.At Martinsville, drivers often speak or communicate with their front bumper. The message can be subtle or abrupt. In either case, the message has a purpose.By the way, there was a bump or two involved in winning my grandfather clock 15 years ago.For me, winning at Martinsville was that important.Based on what Ive been told from drivers this week, it still is! Custom Raptors Jerseys . The judges scored it 48-47, 48-47, 49-46 for Jones (19-1). It was the champions closest call. Despite the loss, it was a remarkable show by the confident Swedish challenger, who had the best of the early rounds and then hung on in the fourth and fifth. Authentic Custom Raptors Jersey . The native of Mont-Tremblant, Que., captured a World Cup downhill event Saturday, his second this year and fifth career victory on the circuit. http://www.customraptorsjersey.com/ . -- Jaye Marie Green shot a 4-under 68 on Thursday to increase her lead to five strokes after the second round of the LPGA Tours qualifying tournament. Wholesale Custom Raptors Shirts .J. -- Josh Cribbs was in the Pro Bowl in February and out of a job six months later. Custom Raptors Jersey China . Most important, perhaps, it went off without a hitch. Organizers poked a little fun at the now-infamous opening ceremony gaffe that saw only four out of five snowflakes open up into rings, leaving the Olympics logo one ring short.TORONTO -- Colin Miller will once again serve as interim head coach when Canada hosts Costa Rica in a mens soccer friendly later this month. The game will take place May 28 at Commonwealth Stadium at Millers current hometown of Edmonton. Miller is the head coach of FC Edmonton of the North American Soccer League. Miller recently took charge of the team in January for a training camp, their first since a humiliating 8-1 defeat to Honduras that knocked them out of World Cup qualifying. The camp included an encouraging 0-0 draw with the United States in Houstton.dddddddddddd The former Canadian international also served as interim Canadian mens coach in 2003. "Im the proudest man in Canada, once again," Miller said. "We will be hoping to build on the positive way we finished our last camp together with a result away to the United States, and also looking to build on the good work that Tony Fonseca did with the team during the recent camp in Qatar." Canada has been searching for a permanent head coach since Stephen Hart stepped down last October after the loss to Honduras. ' ' '