wxy1123's blog: "lele"

INDIANAPOLIS -- Jimmie Johnson won his fourth Brickyard 400 and solidified his status as a title favourite in NASCAR. Ramon Foster Jersey . Impressive? You bet. Surprising? Not really. But how about this: Dale Earnhardt Jr. left the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the Sprint Cup Series points lead. Earnhardt finished fourth on Sunday, his best career finish at a track where he often struggles. Earnhardt took a 14-point lead over previous points leader Matt Kenseth, who got caught in a crash. It was another sign of Earnhardts new consistency, the kind of development that could turn the streaky driver with a famous last name into a real championship contender. "That is symbolic of how well weve done," Earnhardt said. "Im proud of that. I have felt that way about our position in points all season long. We need to win more races. If we want to win the championship, we have to. I imagine we can win a couple races in Chase. I dont know if finishing fourth or fifth is going to do it. Well just have to see. Wed like to step it up just a little bit more." And if it comes down to Hendrick Motorsports teammates Johnson and Earnhardt duking it out for the title at the end of the season, both drivers say bring it on. "We would actually rather us two to fight for the championship at the end knowing one of us is going to get it for the company," Earnhardt said. "If I could line that up right now, I would. That is how Id have it." Johnson said team owner Rick Hendrick has formed such a strong organization that having multiple teams racing for the championship doesnt cause any drama between the drivers or crews. "Its great," Johnson said. "What it does especially for our company, it far exceeds any type of competitive spirit that exists. And from a technical standpoint, we all go to the racetrack with the same equipment. No one gets favourites." Hendrick has been through it before, and doesnt expect any issues. "And these guys are sharing so much information, and Im beyond that nervousness trying to get the teams together and say, Look, what got us here is working together and sharing information," Hendrick said. "I think by having those two cars where they are in the points will make us, give us a better shot. ... A lot of organizations, it tears them down when they have that kind of competition. I think it makes us stronger." All four Hendrick Motorsports teams share technical information, but Hendrick has divided them into pairs. Johnsons No. 48 team and Earnhardts No. 88 team work together in one shop, while Jeff Gordons No. 24 team and Kasey Kahnes No. 5 team work in another. Johnson and crew chief Chad Knaus hailed the developing chemistry of Earnhardt and his crew chief, Steve Letarte. "Stevie and Junior have really brought a lot to the table," Johnson said. "I have to say, from Pocono to now, the stuff that Junior has liked in the car and what hes felt has opened up doors for us to pursue and a road for us to go down where weve made our stuff better. Theres a lot of confidence in our shop with both teams, and the communication is as good as its ever been." And while Johnson and Knaus have won five championships, Johnson said they can learn from Earnhardt and Letarte. "Im happy to see Steve as confident as he is and Junior both because we can really lean on them and pull from them, and its a two way street," Johnson said. "Thats something thats new this year, and Im proud of both of them for where theyre at and where our whole team is." Still, Hendrick cautioned everybody against overconfidence. "You cant put any more effort in than we do here," Hendrick said. "But Ill tell you, when you start believing that youve got it figured out is when youll get your butt handed to you." Rocky Bleier Jersey . Its sentimental, its obvious and its cheap. Its also a few hours away from possibly happening in real life. At midnight tonight, the Toronto Raptors will attempt to convince Steve Nash to sign away the last few years he has left in the NBA to an organization that hasnt secured a single top-tier free agent in their entire seventeen-year history. Lawrence Timmons Jersey . Kennedy struck out nine in six innings to remain perfect for his career against San Diego, and Jason Kubel doubled in the go-ahead run in the sixth inning to send the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 3-1 victory over the Padres on Thursday night. http://www.shopthepittsburghsteelers.com/mike-wagner-jerseys . "I have started working in the gym and I feel fine. Im progressing and lets see if I can play before December," the 32-year-old Abidal said Saturday after making the honorary kickoff in Barcelonas friendly at PSG. Shaun Suisham Jersey .J. -- The New York Red Bulls goalkeeper Ryan Meara had arthroscopic surgery Thursday to repair his left hip, and is expected to miss the rest of the season. Franco Harris Jersey . Its the first crash this week on Indys 2.5-mile oval. Clauson completed the first three laps of his four-lap run and was starting the final lap when his car bobbled going through the first turn.OAKLAND, Calif. -- The Oakland Athletics activated right-hander Bartolo Colon from the 15-day disabled list to start against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. Colon (6-7), set for his 16th start of the season, went on the DL on June 23, retroactive to June 18, with a strained right oblique muscle. To clear roster room, Oakland designated for assignment struggling reliever Brian Fuentes. Manager Bob Melvin appreciated Fuentes professionalism handling the news Tuesday. "It was just one of those things where it wasnt a real good fit for me here right now," Fuentes said in the clubhouse, dressed in street clothes and his giant duffel bag packed to leave the ballpark. "Its unfortunate. It wasnt for a lack of preparation. It was just one of those things I was pitching inconsistently and it puts Bob and management in a tough situation. Theyre trying to build up some guys and they cant wait for me forever. I think its best for everybody involved. It gives me the chance to go somewhere and pitch, and hopefully someone will find me valuable enough to get me in free agency or a trade or whatever it may be." Fuentes went 2-2 with five saves, three blown saves and a 6.84 ERA in 26 outings, including recording his 200th save May 2 at BBoston to become the sixth left-hander in major league history to reach the mark. Emmanuel Sanders Womens Womens Jersey. "One of the highlights to our season was his 200th save in Boston," Melvin said. "He really did make it easy. He said he understood what were going through right now. ... Unfortunately thats the move we had to make today. We have some left-handers pitching in more prominent roles." He went 0-2 with a save, two blown saves, a 19.50 ERA and .452 opponents average over his final seven outings. The 36-year-old has 204 career saves with a 3.58 ERA in 644 career appearances over 12 seasons with five clubs. Fuentes grew up in the Central Valley town of Merced, and he plans to head home for now to work out and keep on his throwing program during the 10 days the As have to trade or release him. Fuentes said not getting used regularly affected him and he regularly fell behind hitters and didnt execute his pitches. And when he did get opportunities, he didnt deliver. "Its a crummy situation but I go away feeling good about it," Fuentes said. "In the roles I was in, closing for sure, you cant just go out there and throw. The other roles I was in, whether it was setup or mopup, it just seemed like it never worked out." ' ' '