Patrick has much more to learn in NASCAR before her return

Autoracing Betting Lines

03/01/2010 - Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Danica-mania in NASCAR is over...for the time being, anyway.

The Nationwide Series received more attention than ever during the month of February due to the hype surrounding Danica Patrick's foray into stock car racing. Now, it's back to the same ole humdrum for NASCAR's second-tier series until Patrick returns in four months at New Hampshire.

Without question, Patrick's first three Nationwide races have been a learning curve, but there's plenty more for the 27-year-old to study during her stock car crash course.

Following a stellar performance in the February 6 ARCA race at Daytona, Patrick made her Nationwide debut one week earlier than expected. She finished 35th in the series' season-opener after getting caught up in a 12-car wreck just past the halfway point.

At California, Patrick finished the 300-mile race without incident, but fell three laps behind with a 31st-place result.

Patrick's run last Saturday at Las Vegas came to an end early when she made contact with Michael McDowell and then crashed into the wall on lap 85. Patrick sustained heavy damage to the front end of her car, as she retired with a 36th-place finish.

One thing Patrick has earned in her early stock car career so far is respect from her fellow competitors, particularly Las Vegas Nationwide race winner Kevin Harvick.

"Kevin Harvick was great actually," Patrick said. "Leading the race, he's telling me to go up high with him, so that was cool. I was able to run up high, and feel that line out, because he was giving me the finger out the window. That's really cool to see that, because the guy is leading the race and he's taking time to help me out."

Let's make sure we clarify the finger. Harvick did not display his middle finger as an inappropriate gesture towards her, but raised his left index finger to point her in the right direction on the track.

"I'll give anyone help if they ask," Harvick said after the race. "She's been very receptive on what she needs to do, and she's been very open on asking questions. I don't have any problem helping."

Patrick has a busy IndyCar schedule coming up, beginning with the March 14 inaugural race on the streets of Sao Paulo, Brazil. But Patrick won't be out of pocket with her JR Motorsports team during her Nationwide absence.

"We've put a lot of effort into these first three stock car races, but my ultimate goal is still to win the [Indianapolis] 500 and the IndyCar championship; that's the primary focus," she said. "It doesn't mean I'll lose touch with my team at JR Motorsports while I'm back in the IndyCar Series. I'll still stay in contact with [crew chief] Tony [Eury Jr.] and keep up with the guys as they get things prepared for my return in June."

In fact, additional stock car tests with JRM could be on her docket before she returns to Nationwide competition.

"I don't think that plan is completely set yet," Patrick said. "We have quite a few months to think about it, but with New Hampshire the first one that I have coming back to the season in June, I'm sure we'll try and replicate that track a little bit and try to go somewhere similar.

"I wouldn't mind if we tested all the time. I think the more I can drive the car the better."

Perhaps further testing should be in the cards for her.

Last week, Patrick spent time in both open-wheel and stock cars. She participated in an IndyCar pre-season open test at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL before heading to Las Vegas. Patrick said the transition from one car to another was "circumstantial," but admitted her getting back into a stock car was an unpleasant experience at first.

"We lowered the steering wheel, and we brought it towards me, and we're trying to get it look more like the other drivers have it," she said. "I went out there, and I was freaking out, because it felt like I was driving on top of the car. I couldn't see the steering wheel, and I felt so uncomfortable."

Hopefully, that won't be the same problem when she arrives at New Hampshire.

Casiogames Autoracing Betting News

<< Richmond adds Trott and Coleman to coaching staff
Richmond, VA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - University of Richmond football coach Latrell Scott announced the additions of Bob Trott and Roy Coleman to the coaching staff. Trott will serve as the defensive coordinator, while Coleman w

<< Skiles and Brooks named top coaches for February
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Skiles of the Milwaukee Bucks and Scott Brooks from the Oklahoma City Thunder were selected as the NBA's top coaches for the month of February. Skiles led Milwaukee to a 10-4 record in the ye

<< Jerebko, Collison named NBA rookies of the month
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko and New Orleans Hornets guard Darren Collison were selected as the NBA's top rookies for the month of February. Jerebko captured the Eastern Conference award -- sna

<< Second straight win gets Miyazato to third
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ai Miyazato's second consecutive win on the LPGA Tour moved her up to third in this week's Women's World Golf Rankings. Miyazato got to fourth with her win at the Honda PTT LPGA Thailand two

<< Opening poll starts where previous left off
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The first NTRA Thoroughbred Poll of 2010 has a very similar look to the last of 2009. The final poll of last year came out after the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita Park. Finishing in first-place was

Timberwolves waive C Blount >>
Minneapolis, MN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Minnesota Timberwolves waived center Mark Blount on Monday. The T'wolves received Blount in a trade with the Miami Heat for Quentin Richardson last August, but he has not appeared in a game

Wozniak reaches second round in Mexico >>
Monterrey, Mexico (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Seventh-seeded Aleksandra Wozniak was a first-round winner Monday at the $220,000 Monterrey Open tennis event. The Canadian Wozniak was tied with Laura Granville at 3-3 in the first set on Day 1 when the

Spurs part ways with Finley >>
San Antonio, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The San Antonio Spurs announced on Monday they have released veteran guard Michael Finley. Finley requested to be waived since his playing time waned upon his return from a sprained ankle in late Ja

Wizards buy out G James >>
Washington, DC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Washington Wizards waived guard Mike James on Monday after coming to a mutual agreement on a contract buyout. James has played just four games for Washington this year, averaging 4.5 points and

Wagner fires head men's basketball coach Deane >>
Staten Island, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Wagner College fired head men's basketball coach Mike Deane on Monday following a 5-26 season. In his seven years as head coach of the Seahawks, Deane guided the program to a 95-113 record.

You've come to the right place if you're searching for a great legal online sportsbook ! The sportsbooks featured on this page accept sports wagers for the NBA, MLB, NHL, NFL, NCAA, Tennis, Soccer, Auto-Racing, Golf, Boxing, Horseracing, and many more. Using the information displayed on this page, you'll be able to make a wise-decision when selecting an online sportsbook and wagering service.

If you've never wagered at an online sportsbook before, you will find the process of starting to be straightforward. First, you choose a sportsbook from the list provided below. We feature the top sportsbooks on the web, with rankings based on company size, reputation, security, web site usability, and payment options. Once you've chosen the betting site that's right for you, the next step is online registration. You'll need to provide some basic information to create your account and receive a username and password. At this time, you'll also select a payment option. The books reviewed accept Visa, Mastercard, BankWire, and several others. Once you have an account created with the Sportsbook, you're ready to start wagering. You'll want to get familiar with their website and contact their Customer Service department if you have any questions.

Also, make sure you read the terms and conditions, which is usually located at the bottom of the homepage. The terms and conditions will outline all of the rules and regulations for the sportsbook. Once you are comfortable with the website and fully understand all of the rules, you are ready to start betting on your favorite sports teams or even on some hot current events!

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs.

FOOTBALL BETTING : Cassel Signs Contract

Kansas City, MO - Kansas City has not officially named Matt Cassel its starting quarterback, but there can be no doubt now.

NFL Betting
After praising his leadership and work ethic through spring workouts, the Chiefs announced Tuesday they had signed the 27-year-old Cassel to a multiyear contract. Terms were not disclosed, but he will almost certainly be one of the highest-paid members of the team.
"We are excited to be able to reach a long-term agreement for Matt Cassel to be a Kansas City Chief for many years to come," owner and board chairman Clark Hunt said in a statement. "His proven leadership on and off the field will be a tremendous asset to the organization."
Patriots made him their franchise player, meaning his salary for this season will be about $15 million.
New head coach Todd Haley, taking over for Herm Edwards after a 2-14 season, refused to name a starter at any position during offseason workouts. But it was obvious to everyone the team belonged to Cassel.
"I go out there each and every day with that focus that I'm the starter," Cassel said during a June minicamp. "Competition brings out the best in everybody."
The signing will come as welcome news to Cassel's new coaches and teammates. Amiable and hardworking, online football betting he appeared to win over everyone at minicamp.
"I think he's got some unique leadership qualities. I think his teammates like him and have respect for him. I think he's doing a pretty good job on the field, too," Haley said last month. "He's doing everything that I'm asking him, that our coaches are asking him to do. I don't have one single complaint how he's carrying himself."
After one workout, wide receiver Devard Darling declared Cassel "a breath of fresh air."
"He has a lot of swagger, a lot of confidence. It's good for us," said Darling. "We trust in him that he's going to go out there and lead us all the way."
nse to accommodate his specific abilities.
Trapped on the bench behind Heisman winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at USC and then unable to unseat Super Bowl MVP Brady at New England, Cassel seemed destined to be a backup all his life. As Brady was helped off the field last September, Cassel seized the opportunity he'd been waiting for since high school.
In his only sustained action since his teens, he hit 349 of 555 passes for 3,949 yards at New England. He had 23 touchdown passes and 13 interceptions as the Patriots, who had gone unbeaten through the regular season the year before, finished 11-5 and out of the playoffs.
Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli, who had been Bill Belichick's assistant in New England, engineered the trade after the Patriots became convinced that Brady would recover fully from his knee operation.
"Since Matt arrived in Kansas City, he has embraced the team and the community," Pioli said. "His work ethic, his ability and competitive presence is what we expect from our players."

NFL Betting Lines

To visit this sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your college football betting needs.