Patrick given green light for Daytona Nationwide race
Autoracing Betting Lines
02/08/2010 -
Daytona Beach, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - IndyCar series star Danica Patrick will
continue to be in the spotlight during Speedweeks at Daytona International
Speedway.
Patrick announced on Monday she will make her Nationwide Series debut in
Saturday's DRIVE4COPD 300 season-opener at Daytona. She originally was
scheduled to make her series debut in the February 20 race at California, but
after an impressive performance in the ARCA event over the weekend at Daytona,
her foray in NASCAR's second-tier circuit has been bumped up one week.
"Racing in the Nationwide Series race was my goal during this entire two-month
preparation process, but we wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do,"
Patrick said in a statement. "The ARCA race was a blast, and I'm not ready for
my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet. I want more racing."
JR Motorsports -- a team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. -- made the decision
shortly after Patrick's sixth-place finish in the ARCA race. Despite spinning
during the mid-stages of the event, Patrick rebounded in the closing laps to
become the highest-finishing female at Daytona since Shawna Robinson's second-
place run here in the 1999 ARCA event.
"I think Danica proved to everyone that she can compete in stock cars at a
high level, and right now seat time is extremely important," team general
manager Kelley Earnhardt said. "She has worked extremely hard during the past
two months for this opportunity. Her dedication and work ethic is infectious."
Patrick, driver of the No.7 Chevrolet, is guaranteed a starting position in
the Nationwide race at Daytona due to JRM's acquisition of owner points from
CJM Racing's No.11 team, which finished 15th in points last season.
The 27-year-old driver will compete in the first three Nationwide races this
season -- Daytona, California and Las Vegas -- before taking a four-month
break in the series due to her full-time IndyCar schedule.
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The Jayhawks (22-1) regained the top spot last week after spending
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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
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