Why NASCAR Became a Major American "Sport"

Why NASCAR Became a Major American "Sport"

NASCAR, or the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, is known as the largest motorsports sanctioning body in the United States. The three series under the auspices of NASCAR include the Craftsman Truck Series, the Nationwide Series and the Sprint Cup. Some local races such as the Whelen Modified Tour and the All-American Series from Whelen are overseen by NASCAR. Overall, 1500 races at 100 tracks are considered NASCAR races.

Originally, NASCAR was viewed as a regional sport coming from the Southeastern United States, but today it ranks second only to football in television rating in the U.S. In addition to broadcasts in the United States, races by NASCAR drivers are shown in 150 countries globally. Fans show support of the sport by purchasing licensed products in the amount of billion annually. Fortune 500 companies recognize the power of NASCAR fans and sponsor the sports more than any other sponsorship role.

The headquarters of NASCAR is at Daytona Beach, Florida. There are four local offices in North Carolina and regional offices in Arkansas, New York City and Los Angeles. Mexico City and Toronto Canada also have NASCAR offices. Additionally, most NASCAR teams consider North Carolina home.

Originally, Daytona Beach was the location where world land speed records were set with eight consecutive records between 1927 and 1935. The Daytona Beach road course was the site of fifteen speed records before 1935. As the location for land speed records moved to Bonneville Salt Flats, Daytona Beach was already synonymous with fast cars both on the beach and on the coastal highway A1A.

The years of Prohibition followed by the repeal in 1933 made use of fast cars with modified capacity driven at high speeds either to evade the police or later the revenuers. Much of this activity occurred near Wilkes County region of North Carolina, but also in other parts of the Southeastern United States. Races of the modified cars increased in numbers and popularity during those years.

Three people were primary in the creation of the NASCAR governing body in 1948: William France, Sr., Erwin 'Cannonball' Baker, and Bob 'Barky' Barkhimer. William France wanted to protect the drivers from unscrupulous promoters who collected gate receipts and did not award winning to the drivers. The first intent was to race Roadsters, Modified, and Stock cars. Only the Modified division raced during the first year. The first season had 52 Modified dirt track races. By 1949, the Strictly Stock division made its debut

Originally, the cars raced had to be virtually factory models, but beginning in 1950 it was recognized that modifications for safety and performance were desirable and the Division was named 'Grand National’. By the mid 1960s, the races were run with race cars and a stock body.

Only one of the original season race tracks is still on the circuit today-Martinsville Speedway. The Darlington Raceway and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are both recognized world wide for their famous events in the world of NASCAR racing. Originally, the race tracks were oval and measured 0.5 to 1 miles per lap. Darlington was 1.366 miles and known as a Superspeedway following its construction in 1950. The track was wider and faster than other locales. In 1959 the Daytona International Speedway at 2.5 miles became the sport icon.

During the early 1970's new sponsorship was found for the sport in the RJ Reynolds Tobacco Company. The name of the series was changed from Grand National to the Winston Cup. The series today is known as the Sprint Cup. Prizes were increased significantly and a new points system was developed. The series dropped from 48 races during the season to 31 races. Busch Beer took on the sponsorship of the next competitive level of racers, known as the Late Model Sportsman.

ABC Sports began covering some of the Grand National races but abandoned the effort as not exciting enough for ratings. In 1979, the Daytona 500 race was picked up from flag to flag by CBS. During the final lap, the two leaders wrecked on the backstretch and the third place car driven by Richard Petty won the race. The two wrecked car drivers and a family member proceeded to add to the drama on national television by engaging in a fistfight. Fans that had been kept indoors by a major snowstorm on the U.S. eastern seaboard were introduced to the excitement and drama of the sport.

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NCAA College Basketball Preview

NCAA College Basketball Preview

The 2007-2008 season ended up being yet another exciting college basketball campaign. As always, there were Cinderella's like Davidson, but in the end it was the traditional powers that were in San Antonio, Texas for the Final Four where Kansas edged Memphis in a thrilling final. North Carolina, UCLA and Memphis left Texas disappointed, but those three teams are likely candidates to reach Detroit, Michigan for the 2009 version of the Final Four.

The Tar Heels are the clear favorites to cut down the nets in the Motor City. It was assumed that Tyler Hansbrough, Ty Lawson, Wayne Ellington or Danny Green would head for the NBA. Few thought, but many hoped, that all would return to Chapel Hill. But here they are for at least one more year playing college ball. Anything but a national championship would be disappointing for a team that went 36-3 last year and returns their top six players.

However, there are plenty of other traditional powers who hope to bring down the favorites, including UNC's nemesis Duke. The lack of an interior threat forced the Blue Devils to depend on their perimeter game. And when the outside shot stopped falling, Duke stopped winning. Coach Mike Krzyzewski hopes junior Brian Zoubek and freshman Miles Plumlee are the answer. With Gerald Henderson, Greg Paulus, Jon Scheyer, Kyle Singler and Lance Thomas, Duke has plenty of other scoring options, but they need to find one in the paint.

UCLA lost four key players, including the fourth overall pick in the NBA Draft, Russell Westbrook, and Kevin Love, the fifth overall pick. Yet, if anybody can reload quickly, it is the Bruins and Coach Ben Howland. The talent on the perimeter will be unmatched in the Pac-10, but the difference will be finding an interior threat that can replace Love. As usual UCLA has a talented group of freshmen coming into Westwood, but 6-8 forward Drew Gooden is no Love.

An old favorite who has been struggling lately will also be back on the national stage. Connecticut has enough talent to reach the Final Four and a year of experience for their young team can do nothing but help. Having center Hasheem Thabeet gives Uconn a presence under the basket that few teams can match. But does Coach Jim Calhoun have enough depth to make a serious run and are the team chemistry issues that have plagued the Huskies over the last few seasons finally over?

Derrick Rose may have been the first pick in the NBA Draft, but that does not mean Memphis is lacking in talent. Antonio Anderson and Robert Dozier are senior leaders on a team that generally lacks in senior leadership. With some young talent waiting to make their mark, the Tigers can make another championship run.

Coach Rick Barnes returns plenty of experienced players, but losing D.J. Augustin hurts. The point guard left for the NBA after averaging 19.2 points and 5.8 assists per contest as a sophomore. With a brutal schedule that includes non-conference games against UCLA and Michigan State, it will not take long to learn just how good the Longhorns are this season.

Those Spartans of Michigan State will have home state advantage if they can make it to the Final Four. Even without Drew Neitzel, Coach Tom Izzo has a more talented squad than he has had in recent years. The difference maker could be highly touted recruit Delvin Roe. The power forward could be the missing part to a puzzle that includes a talented group of sophomores on the perimeter in Chris Allen, Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers and the team's leader, junior Raymar Moragn.

But it is not just the traditional powers that will make noise this basketball season. So-called mid-major conferences like the Atlantic 10, Missouri Valley, Mountain West and West Coast Conference all have teams that can make plenty of noise in March.

Dayton, Temple and Xavier are the cream of the crop in the A-10. Dayton returns Chris Wright from injury and there is enough talent around him to make the NCAA Tournament and do some damage once they get there. This is also the year Temple returns to prominence after a few down years. But it is Xavier that dominated the conference a year ago and returns a couple stars in C.J. Anderson and Derrick Brown.

The Missouri Valley Conference still might not reach the level they did a couple years ago, but there are quality teams in the conference. Creighton and Southern Illinois are the traditional favorites and will be again this year. After six straight seasons without a conference championship, the Bluejays drought is expected to end this year. Like SIU, the Creighton strength is on the perimeter and whichever team can find more production out of the frontcourt will be the favorites to take home another MVC title.

Out west it is UNLV and BYU who are expected to battle for the top spot in the MWC. The Runnin' Rebels lack of a big man has been a problem over the last few years, but that should change with the arrival of Beas Hamga and Brice Massamba. But even with the big guys at UNLV, BYU will be difficult to contain. The Cougars have their own problems in the paint with the early departure of center Trent Plaisted, but Lee Cummard alone will make BYU a tough team to beat.

Up until last year, the West Coast Conference was all about Gonzaga. While the Zags are still the team to beat, they will have some competition from St. Mary's and San Diego. All three of those teams are coming off of NCAA appearances. Although surprise San Diego was the only one of the group to tally a victory during the Big Dance, the WCC should get at least two more opportunities to make a run in March.

It is not just the top of the mid-major conferences that have teams that are fielding quality teams. Davidson was last year's surprise team in the NCAA Tournament and might be again this year. There are some key players missing, but as long as the Wildcats have Stephen Curry on the floor, they will be dangerous again. Speaking of teams who made a splash in 2008, Siena has the tools to do it again this time around. The Saints return seven players who started at least ten games during the 2007-2008 campaign. Kent State and VCU did not have the postseason success of Davidson or Siena, but they both have superstars who are ready to break onto the national scene. Point guards Al Fisher and Eric Maynor are great scoring floor leaders who will lead the Golden Flashes and Rams to success in 2009.

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Baseball Weight Training

Baseball Weight Training

Weight training for baseball is not similar to the training imparted for other sports. It becomes more important because the baseball season is much longer as compared to other sports. So one has to maintain his mental and physical health and remain injury free throughout the whole season. Vigor training is essential to develop a strong base which is important to play baseball consistently with passion and intensity.

Due to the challenges presented with the sport of baseball, weight training is difficult to pertain with baseball. The special lifting necessary make baseball an innovative sport! Most people comment that many sports team leaders execute egregious faults in baseball weight training which can lead to body injuries, stress, or other trauma.

Weight training through baseball should take into consideration the limitation of players. The truth though is that it is not really the training that does not work but it is the coaches who do not understand fully this kind of weight training program.

Many coaches want to simply increase their hitters' strength and stamina, ignoring the other aspects of their play. If one prepares for an upcoming competition in a manner that is too severe, and without sufficient rest, the injury occurs. The least that they should understand is that their players are already overstressed and over trained.

Train but do not strain through overtraining. You should know that overtraining is not good because it not only causes injuries and severe muscle damages on the body but likewise, it defeats the very purpose of an exercise. You should know that like ordinary weight training exercises, the baseball weight training program should observe the same basic principles in weight training such as rest.

Exercise and progression are an important part of a healthy lifestyle but rest is just as important. You will not go any further if your body can't take the pressure you're putting on it. What you want to avoid is challange and not damage, which is different.

Be sure to include variety in the training regimen. There needs to be variations in the intensity and the types routines. Incorporating various exercises that work alike to strengthen muscles will improve your workout.

Lastly, you should know that the most important aspect in the weight training program in baseball is the force produced. Aside from the strength of the leg muscles and the hand and leg coordination, the program also develops extreme force particularly when one swings the baseball bat. The very reason why most coaches incorporate weight training in baseball is because force requires mass times acceleration.

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4 Ways to Coach Baseball

4 Ways to Coach Baseball

There are several good ways to be able to coach baseball if you are a coach or maybe even just an uprising coach for that league. But in order for the coach wisely, you need to possess certain skills and own ways of dealing with your team and properly handling them or perhaps leading them to victory. This much is true for every coach. You do not only coach for the sake of coaching but you should have certain ways of doing things your own. Your role is very crucial as the team's head master after all.

First, you need to be organized. This is the best way to have your team busy but in a clear cut and well-defined manner which means you must have a definite practice time-table and schedule. You cannot handle a team properly or worst you cannot lead the team if you yourself is messy in the first place. You need to have to think ahead about the certain plans you might want for your team in order for them to be kept in the right track. Your team will pretty much can tell for sure if you are not organized so start learning so before you can start teaching them to do just exactly that.

Second, you need to have discipline. Discipline first yourself before you can discipline your team. Each team must have definite rules to follow and you as the coach should adhere to that first before your team can follow to do the same. Never ever tolerate anyone who breaks the rules even if it means having a series of punishment. Do not pick one among the team as your favorite player or whatsoever because this can create chaos and injustice among themselves. If your ace player screws up, bring upon him the necessary punishment for him to understand what discipline is all about. It does not mean that if they are the best players, they can do whatever they want.

Third, create a positive working environment to have better mental capability results. Remember that baseball is not just pitching, batting, tagging, catching and running. Baseball is a mental game as much as you never want it to be. How you motivate and encourage your team every time whether it is a big game or not or maybe even just a practice game, will make a very big difference in the idea of losing or winning. You have it in your hands.

Fourth, imprint into your mind that winning is not all there is to baseball. You are a coach and your role is to teach your team to be the man they are in the field but you do not control who wins and who loses. Your role is a coach first and foremost and when you do that as properly and in the best ways you can, I assure you winning pieces will just fall back to its places and it will definitely take care of itself.

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The Book of Basketball The NBA According to The Sports Guy

The Book of Basketball The NBA According to The Sports Guy

There is only one writer on the planet who possesses enough basketball knowledge and passion to write the definitive book on the NBA.* Bill Simmons, the from-the-womb hoops addict known to millions as ESPN.com?s Sports Guy, is that writer. And The Book of Basketball is that book.

Nowhere in the roundball universe will you find another single volume that covers as much in such depth as this wildly opinionated and thoroughly entertaining look at the past, present, and future of pro basketball.

From the age-old question of who actually won the rivalry between Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain to the one about which team was truly the best of all time, Simmons opens?and then closes, once and for all?every major pro basketball debate. Then he takes it further by completely reevaluating not only how NBA Hall of Fame inductees should be chosen but how the institution must be reshaped from the ground up, the result being the Pyramid: Simmons?s one-of-a-kind, five-level shrine to the ninety-six greatest players in the history of pro basketball. And ultimately he takes fans to the heart of it all, as he uses a conversation with one NBA great to uncover that coveted thing: The Secret of Basketball.

Comprehensive, authoritative, controversial, hilarious, and impossible to put down (even for Celtic-haters), The Book of Basketball offers every hardwood fan a courtside seat beside the game?s finest, funniest, and fiercest chronicler.

Download

http://hotfile.com/dl/33347600/186604a/TBoBasketballSFS.rar.html

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