Pirate Galaxy » d son was on the receiving end of one such swimming

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! Trey Lyles Jersey . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Richard Jefferson Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . http://www.nuggetsprostore.com/kids-jamal-murray-nuggets-jersey/ . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. Will Barton Jersey .Y. - Nelson Mandela will be honoured by the New York Yankees with a plaque in Monument Park. Kenneth Faried Jersey . The Nashville Predators were glad their captain was still on their side. Weber had a goal and two assists, and Roman Josi scored the shootout winner to lift the Predators to a 4-3 win over the Flyers on Thursday night. SINGAPORE -- It was a photo taken with Michael Phelps that inspired Joseph Schooling to Olympic gold. So when he was mobbed by fans on his return to Singapore, he made sure he posed for a few.Hundreds packed Singapores Changi Airport as the 21-year-old Schooling returned from Rio de Janeiro with an Olympic gold medal around his neck on Monday. He beat his idol in the 100-meter butterfly to deliver the first ever Olympic gold medal for the city-state of 5.54 million.Definitely the highlight of my life, he told the crowd. Thank you everyone for coming. This (gold) is not for me. This is for everyone. Thank you guys.Schooling, who attends the University of Texas, will spend four days celebrating in events in Singapore, including an open-top parade.Sim Siew Png arrived at the airport seven hours early in the hopes of seeing his hero.I wanted to see the golden boy, the 17-year-old Sim said as he clutched a pair of red swimming trunks that he hoped to get autographed. Watching the moment live on television left me excited and happy. My family was screaming.Sim was recalling Saturdays showdown in Rio where Schooling built a big lead and won in an Olympic record of 50.39 seconds. Phelps, the most decorated Olympian of all time, South Africas Chad le Chlos and Laszlo Cseh of Hungary shared a three-way tie for silver.Schoolings father, Colin, did not travel to Rio but said hed dreamed of the Singapore anthem being sung in the Olympic stadium.ddddddddddddThey did it this time, he said. That made my day.I got a feeling that Michael gave him some words of praises. Im glad my son also showed respect. That goes well with me, he said. Now we have to aim for the world record.Schooling spent more than an hour thanking his supporters Monday, signing autographs and posing for photos with fans as people screamed and chanted his name.Schooling was just a 13-year-old kid in 2008 when Phelps showed up to train at his club in Singapore ahead of the Beijing Olympics.While other kids rushed at Phelps wanting photos, Schooling was frozen. He couldnt believe his swimming idol was in front of him. Eventually, he mustered the courage to ask for a picture, too.A lot of this is because of Michael, Schooling said after his victory. Hes the reason why I want to be a better swimmer.Schooling is already inspiring young Singaporeans.I came to support him because hes friendly, approachable and very nice to little children, Judy Eng said, recounting how her nine-year-old son was on the receiving end of one such swimming pep talk.Not only is Schooling a good role model, hes also a little wealthier now too.By winning his countrys first Olympic gold, Schooling earned a bonus of $1 million Singapore dollars or nearly US$750,000. Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '