HOMESTEAD, Fla.
Vinnie Sunseri Saints Jersey . - It took Jimmie Johnson just 13 races into his rookie season with Hendrick Motorsports to prove to his team he was a rare talent. He had just won at Dover for his second victory in four weeks and was debriefing with crew chief Chad Knaus when he brought up a sensation he felt in the car that day that he was certain came from wind blowing through a gap in the grandstands. It was remarkable insight, Knaus said, from a driver who understands very little about the setup of a race car. "He can feel the car. He can be one with the car," Knaus said. "I know that sounds foolish, it sounds weird. But, seriously, go to a surfer and ask him about his surfboard. Go to a snowboarder and ask him about his snowboard. Go to a skier, ask him about his skis. "When theyre able to get in that position, and they feel the car, understand what the car is going to do, its pretty amazing. Jimmie can really do that. He feels whats going on." Knaus went so far as to claim Johnson does things in the car "most mortals cant." His resume supports that claim. Johnson continued his romp through the NASCAR record books Sunday night by winning his sixth championship in eight years. With only the mark of seven titles won by Richard Petty and the late Dale Earnhardt ahead of him, Johnson is making a solid case to be considered one of the best to ever climb into a race car. Its a debate he wants no part of, shrugging in his champagne-soaked firesuit Sunday night that those conversations can wait until after hes done racing. There are some who believe Johnson is a product of his environment, and he wins because he drives for mighty Hendrick Motorsports in a car prepared by Knaus, a crew chief so laser-focused on the No. 48 Chevrolet that its not always evident if he finds any joy in his job. Theres also an argument that Johnsons titles stem from the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship format, which debuted in 2004 as a 10-race playoff. It replaced the decades-old system of crowning a champion based on an entire season, and Johnson reeled off five consecutive titles beginning with Year 3 of the Chase. Indeed, under the old scoring system, Johnson would not have won titles in 2007, 2008 or 2010. But thats not his problem. He raced under the rules at the time, on the same playing field as everyone else on the track — the same as Petty did during his heyday, and Earnhardt during his time. As far as Petty is concerned, the debate is pointless. "All I can say is Earnhardt did his thing in his time against his competition. I did mine against my competition, and hes doing his thing against his competition," Petty said. "We didnt compete with each other. He wasnt there to race against Richard Petty or Earnhardt, and we didnt have to race against Jimmie Johnson, either. "You cant compare. Its not apples and apples. Its apples and oranges." Petty is right, it is very difficult to compare. But Johnson has very much earned the right to be part of the conversation by winning his six titles faster than Petty and Earnhardt, by becoming the youngest driver at 38 to reach the mark, and by winning 30 more races (he has 66 total Cup wins) than any other driver in the last 11 years. "I dont think he wants to try to prove it to anybody else, he just wants to prove it to himself," team owner Rick Hendrick said. "Ive never seen anyone that works any harder and is any more committed to his physical conditioning, from the way he eats at certain times of the year, when he gets into the Chase, the way he works out. "He doesnt have to run over people. He doesnt have to go out and brag about what hes done. He just shows up, does his job. Sooner or later people have to say, Youre the deal." Yet Johnson still fights a stereotype among many stick-and-ball types who dont respect what hes done. The most recent slight came from retired NFL quarterback Donovan McNabb, who was asked on a Fox Sports program to rank Johnson against other athletes at the top of their game. McNabb dismissed the driver as "absolutely not an athlete" because "he sits in a car and he drives, that doesnt take being athletic." Fellow drivers from various series rallied to Johnsons defence, and NASCAR fans berated McNabb on social media. Johnson said very little on the topic, even after winning his championship. "Yes, I am an athlete, and so is every driver in one of these race cars," he smiled. Ironically, Fox Sports rival ESPN will have Johnson sit in as host Tuesday night for SportsCenter, an appearance being touted as "the first athlete to guest host." He deserves the nod, as his accomplishments rank as high as any other current athlete. Derek Jeter and Kobe Bryant have five team championships, which Johnson has now surpassed. Hes tied with Michael Jordan, who for two years has ribbed Johnson that he had one more ring than the driver. While Roger Federer won 16 Grand Slams in eight years, and Tiger Woods won seven majors in four years, Johnson has won all of NASCARs "crown jewels." Hes won two Daytona 500s, four Brickyard 400s, Coca-Cola 600s and All-Star races, and two Southern 500s. There are only five active tracks on the schedule where Johnson has yet to win, and one of them is Homestead, where hes traditionally playing it safe and trying to wrap up a championship. Knaus, who opined Sunday night that if not for midseason rule changes in 2012 the team "would have waxed the competition," believes the current crew hes assembled around Johnson has yet to reach its full potential. Johnson doesnt dare dream of what other goals he might accomplish or where hell rank when its all said and done. "Its not like me to think in that light. Its just not me," Johnson said. "I guess I need to open my mind to it because the numbers speak for themselves. I find myself in a touchy situation at times where my quiet approach can be looked at as arrogant or cocky, and that is the furthest thing from the truth in what Im trying to portray. "Im just trying to say the right things and keep my mind in the right space. I havent let a lot in, and its led to more success. Its kept my work ethic intact, kept me honest and humble. I like that about myself. I really, really do. I dont know if I want to open my mind and let it in, where I stand in the sports world. Its not time for that in my eyes."
Brodrick Bunkley Saints Jersey . The Boston Celtics hadnt played since the All-Star break. So the Suns 100-94 victory over Boston Wednesday night was an uphill affair, with Phoenix relying on balance rather than its trademark high energy.
Shayne Graham Saints Jersey . - Nikita Jevpalovs scored 6:22 into the second overtime as the Blainville-Boisbriand Armada edged the visiting Rimouski Oceanic 2-1 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action.BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Now, Myers will have a week to reconsider after being suspended three games without pay by the NHL on Monday. Following a hearing by phone with Myers, the leagues department of player safety ruled the fifth-year player unnecessarily extended and launched himself into making the hit along the boards during the third period of Buffalos 2-1 home win Saturday. It happened along the boards inside the Sabres zone, with Myers right shoulder catching Zubrus in the jaw. Myers was assessed a minor penalty. Zubrus was briefly shaken up but continued playing. The suspension cost Myers $84,615 in salary, and will begin with Buffalos home game against Carolina on Tuesday night. Hes eligible to return for a home game against Philadelphia on Jan. 14. Myers suggested his height -- at 6-foot-8, hes the NHLs second-tallest player -- played a factor in how he hit Zubrus. "Thats just one of the disadvantages of being as tall as I am. It just comes with the territory," Myers said after practice but before the hearing was held. "I dont want to change anything just because of that. If things come out of it because of my height then Ill deal with it." The NHL did not agree, noting that Myers could have legally completed the hit by merely maintaining his position. Myers suspension further depletes Buffalos injury-riddled rooster.
Erik Lorig Saints Jersey. The Sabres (12-26-4) are already down six regulars, including veteran defenceman Henrik Tallinder, who has missed three games with an upper-body injury. Forward Ville Leino, who has missed two games with a lower-body injury, practiced for the second time on Monday, but isnt expected to be ready to return. The Sabres also have a roster decision to make with rookie centre Mikhail Grigorenko returning from helping Russia finish third in the world junior hockey championships in Sweden last weekend. The Sabres only options are keeping the 2012 first-round draft pick in Buffalo or returning him to his Canadian Junior team in Quebec City. Interim coach Ted Nolan said hes leaning toward demoting Grigorenko to further develop his game. Nolan said consistency remains an issue, even though Grigorenko led Russia with eight points (five goals, three assists) in seven games. "I think thats a problem with some young players, that consistent factor," Nolan said. "Its up to our organization to correct that. And you dont correct it just by giving things to players like that. You make them earn it." Grigorenko has had difficulty finding his niche in Buffalo since making his NHL debut last season. He has three goals and five assists in 43 career NHL games, including two goals and an assist in 18 games this season. The Sabres have already been blocked by the NHL from sending Grigorenko to the American Hockey League because, at 19, the player still has junior eligibility in Canada.
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