The Norman Transcript

National Sports

Discussion

March 10, 2013

Hamlin could be fired up for Vegas

By Greg Beacham Associated Press

LAS VEGAS — Maybe Denny Hamlin can channel his fury over his $25,000 fine from NASCAR into a fast finish at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Hamlin got docked for his pessimistic comments about the new Gen-6 car, and his anger over the decision overshadowed the week leading up to NASCAR’s third race in an already interesting season.

While Hamlin stewed and refused to pay the fine, most drivers think today is their first real chance to test their new rides on the intermediate tracks they’re built to race.

The Vegas race is a bit too early in the season for gambling, however. While most teams are still brimming with optimism after the first two races of the season at Daytona and Phoenix, some drivers think it’s not too early to start worrying about the overall standings.

“It’s so important to get that momentum and the points base established,” Clint Bowyer said. “We’ve already seen teams struggle the very first two races and get themselves behind.”

Brad Keselowski was awarded the Vegas pole after rain scrubbed Friday’s qualifying session, putting him in prime position for his first top-10 finish in Vegas.

“The way our car has been running the last two weeks, and off of what I saw in practice, I feel like we’re in position to hopefully keep (first place) for a very long time in this race, and hopefully close it out,” Keselowski said.

After coming in third in Phoenix, Hamlin clearly knows what he’s doing in the new car, despite his worries about the car’s development. But so does Jimmie Johnson, the four-time Las Vegas champion who followed up his Daytona 500 victory with a second-place finish last week.

“One-one would be dominant,” said Johnson, the only active driver averaging a top-10 finish in Vegas. “One-two is competitive.”

There’s no shortage of star power in Las Vegas. Defending champion Tony Stewart could use a strong effort after a slow start in the first two races, while Danica Patrick will start 37th.

For local news and more, subscribe to The Norman Transcript Smart Edition, or our print edition.

Text Only | Photo Reprints
National Sports
  • Rangers starters still winless in June

    ARLINGTON, Texas — Yu Darvish is like the rest of the Texas starters — still without a victory in June. For the ace from the Japan, the winless streak goes back a little further than that. Brandon Moss and Josh Jaso homered and the AL ...

    June 19, 2013

  • The missing piece

    ARDMORE, Pa. — The most recent golden era of golf in England had everything but the one prize that brings credibility. A major championship....

    June 18, 2013

  • Changing the rules in the NCAA?

    The WNBA’s first president feels that women’s college basketball needs to make changes if the sport is to grow....

    June 18, 2013

  • Marchand draws line between dirty and tough

    BOSTON — Brad Marchand is known in Boston as the “Little Ball of Hate,” a nickname that captures his stature — he’s listed at 5-foot-9 — and his tendency to get on the nerves of opposing players....

    June 18, 2013

  • Heat against the wall

    MIAMI — The Miami Heat weren’t supposed to be in this situation. Not now, anyway....

    June 18, 2013

  • St. Louis on top

    ST. LOUIS — Rookie Shelby Miller pitched five shutout innings and Yadier Molina had a two-run double to lead the St. Louis Cardinals to a 5-2 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday night....

    June 18, 2013

  • Bruins in control

    BOSTON — Tuukka Rask shut out the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup finals on Monday night and got enough help from the Bruins’ offense to do it without another exhausting overtime. After playing four extra periods in the ...

    June 18, 2013

  • Rangers end skid with win over A’s

    ARLINGTON, Texas — Nelson Cruz thrust his right arm into the air and shouted out in relief while running the bases after hitting his second homer of the night for the Texas Rangers. After a tough stretch, the Rangers had a loud and clear ...

    June 18, 2013

  • End of the line for Louisville

    OMAHA, Neb. — This wasn’t the ending Louisville imagined for the best sports year in university history....

    June 18, 2013

  • Spurring greatness

    SAN ANTONIO — The Spurs have long been the NBA’s gold standard when it comes to drafting and development, preferring to roll up their sleeves and scour the globe to find the right players to slot into well-defined roles in San Antonio....

    June 18, 2013