Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
02/17/2012 - Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Daytona International Speedway will include short track races to its Speedweeks activities, starting in 2013, NASCAR and track officials announced on Friday.
The 2.5-mile superspeedway will host a two-day event labeled as the "UNOH Battle at the Beach." A temporary oval -- tentatively slated to be 0.4-mile in length -- will be setup along Daytona's backstretch. The inaugural event, scheduled for February 18-19, 2013, will include three non-point special races: the NASCAR K&N Pro Series, NASCAR Whelen Modified tours, and the Late Model division of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.
"This is all about the stars of tomorrow vying for glory at Daytona International Speedway," said George Silbermann, who is NASCAR's vice president of regional and touring series. "During two days and nights of intense competition, fans will be able to see today's aces of short track racing and some great young talent."
The criteria for setting the field in the event include: winners of the 2012 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East and West events as well as the series champions will automatically be locked into that series' race at Daytona next year.
Additionally, winners of the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour or NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour races this season and series champions will be locked into the Modified event.
The top-10 finishers in this year's NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Division I national standings will earn a starting spot in the Late Model race.
And the champions of the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series, NASCAR Toyota Series from Mexico, and Euro Racecar NASCAR Touring Series this season will earn a protected starting spot in whichever one of the three 2013 Daytona races they choose to run.
The remaining spots in next year's features at Daytona will be filled through time trials and heat races.
"Grassroots short track racing is the foundation of this great sport, and we are thrilled to give these young drivers the opportunity to fight for a win at the 'World Center of Racing'," track president Joie Chitwood said. "Many of NASCAR's greatest stars cut their teeth on short tracks around the country, and we look forward to hosting the stars of tomorrow in 2013."
Event entitlement sponsor, the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH), has been heavily involved with NASCAR's grassroots racing programs.
<< Argonauts re-sign LB Pile
Mississauga, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Toronto Argonauts re-signed linebacker
Willie Pile on Friday through the 2013 season.
"We are excited Willie has decided to continue playing and will be back in the
Double Blue," said Argonauts gener
<< Mize goes low for ACE Group Classic lead
Naples, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Larry Mize fired a 10-under 62 on Friday to take
the first-round lead of the ACE Group Classic at the Talon Course at
TwinEagles Golf Club.
Mize played his last two holes in three-under par and came
<< Mickelson, Casey both out of Accenture
Marana, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The field for next week's WGC-Accenture Match
Play Championship has been finalized and includes the top four players in the
world, but not Phil Mickelson or Paul Casey.
Mickelson will not be playing becaus
<< Royals sign P Collins
Kansas City, MO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals signed relief
pitcher Tim Collins to a one-year contract on Friday.
The 22-year-old Collins went 4-4 with a 3.63 ERA in 68 games for the Royals
during his rookie campaign in
Report: Yankees trade Burnett to Pirates >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees have unloaded pitcher
A.J. Burnett, dealing the maligned right-hander to the Pittsburgh Pirates in
exchange for a pair of prospects, according to a report.
The Yankees received ri
Sheridan to helm Buccaneers defense >>
Tampa, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced on Friday
that Bill Sheridan has been selected as the club's new defensive coordinator.
Sheridan will be officially introduced during a Tuesday press conference.
"Bill i
Horschel alone in front in Bogota >>
Bogota, Colombia (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Billy Horschel posted his second straight
five-under 66 on Friday to take the lead at the midpoint of the Colombia
Championship.
Horschel, a first-round co-leader, finished 36 holes at 10-under 1
Knicks make J.R. Smith signing official >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Knicks have signed free agent
swingman J.R. Smith, announcing the deal before Friday night's game against
New Orleans.
Earlier Friday, Smith spilled the beans on the signing when he tweet
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.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting