The Sporting News articles from September 2003

The Sporting News archives from September 2003

Last-minute cramming.(SportingNews.com)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The 2003 NFL season finally gets under way next week--do you have your fantasy football roster set? Besides offering the best fantasy games, SportingNews.com provides the ultimate in fantasy resource kits: Fantasy Football Draft Kit and Fantasy...

On the road again.(SportingNews Radio)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... We'll kick off the college football season from fire sites of two of the weekend's biggest games. Friday's Peter Brown Show (noon-3 p.m. ET) will be live from the Buckeye Hall of Fame Cafe in Columbus, where Ohio State plays against Washington....

Ready, set, go.(SportingNews Books)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... From schedules and rosters for this season to stats, stories and summaries from last year, the Pro Football Guide is a perfect yearlong companion for the 2003 season. Order your copy online today at www.sportingnews.com/ books/football.

To know list: 6 hits, one run, three caught stealing.(Know It All)
September 1, 2003... (1) BASEBALL'S PLAYOFF CHASE September shakeout OK, so there's one thing the Sporting NEWS can't deliver in print--up-to-the minute baseball standings. Hey, even the Braves, Giants and Yankees aren't perfect. We'll go out on a limb and...

Bob Hille's starting 5.(Know It All)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... (1) College football. The season starts in earnest this weekend, signaling that special time of year when Saturdays in Tennessee turn from "bath day" to "game day." (2) The NFL exhibition season. Unfortunately, injuries are part...

Warning: visor tossing ahead.(Caught On The Fly)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Redskins blamed Stephen Davis plenty for their offense not reaching optimal efficiency last season; after all, the last thing Steve Spurrier needed was a grind-it-out bull gumming things up. But with Davis gone, don't go looking for that...

Buffalo bash.(Caught On The Fly)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Princeton Review ranked Colorado as the No. 1 party school in the country, depicting the campus as a never-ending social where the books don't get in the way of wild throwdowns, late nights and a lot of drinking. If you're wondering when...

On air from the Century 21 Studios.(Caught On The Fly)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Tim Brando says: "Roy Williams of Texas is Michael Jordan in pads. In no game he participates in will he be anything less than the most gifted player on the field. He is Michael Vick at wide receiver." ...

The mind-set matters most.(My Turn)
September 1, 2003... Most football fans know the on-field ingredients that make an NFL team successful: an outstanding offensive line protecting a superb quarterback; a potent running back who can get the tough yards; a run-stopping defensive front backed by an...

Your turn.(Know It All)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2003... * You are quite correct in selecting the Greater L.A. Metro area as the No. 1 Sports City in America. Having moved back east in 1995, I can tell you that Boston, last year's winner, is overrated when it comes to basketball and hockey, and Los...

The memory still stings.(A Devastating Hit--25 Years Later)
September 1, 2003... Says the man in the wheelchair, 25 years and one day after the collision that so drastically changed his world: "It's funny, but sometimes I feel as though I'm living a charmed life." Darryl Stingley could dwell on August 12, 1978, but he...

Are you ready for some search engine?(Static)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Are you ready for some search engine? Previewing the NFL's TV season, by keywords: Last year, Pat Summerall and John Madden's 22-year marriage dissolved. Fox's biggest talent news this fall: Kenny Albert and Tim Green, a nice C-team with a...

The buzz.(Static)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * The buzz: Viacom's CBS and reformulated Spike TV covet the 2004-beyond NHL contract.

Do not adjust your set.(Static)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... * Do not adjust your set: Ex-SportsCenter and future NFL Network touchstone Rich Eisen is lecturing on the cultural significance of Josie and the Pussycats for VH1's I Love the 70s.

Going deep with Brett Favre.(NFL Preview Scouting The NFL)(Interview)
September 1, 2003... He has three NFL Most Valuable Player trophies, a Super Bowl ring and graying hair. He has defeated the rebel within and the rebel across the line of scrimmage. He is opinionated, knowledgeable, amusing and honest. To kick off the season,...

Vick's injury should have been avoided.(quarterback Michael Vick)
September 1, 2003... Michael Vick is disappointed. Dan Reeves is disappointed. Falcons fans are disappointed. Heck, I'm scheduled to broadcast the Falcons-Cowboys game for Fox in Week 1, and I'm disappointed. It was all so avoidable. Michael Vick is out with a...

The ultimate competition.(NFL football)
September 1, 2003... This season will be the most competitive in history, which is no small achievement, lust consider the last four years and all the craziness that produced so many unanticipated results and champions. But wait, this fall will be the most...

What makes a Super Bowl winner?(Dan Pompei's picks)
September 1, 2003... The cliche answer is great defenses, and the last three Super Bowl winners--Tampa, New England and Baltimore--support that logic. But before the 2000 season, the argument can be made that 12 of the previous 13 Super Bowl winners (the lone...

AFC East.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Dolphins 10-6* With their defense and running game, the Dolphins should be a serious contender. But they can be more than dial if Fiedler steps up. 2. Bills 9-7* With more reliance on the running game and a...

AFC North.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Steelers 9-7 * The Steelers have made the playoffs in right of Cowher's 11 years. As long as they run the ball the way they always have, they will make them again. 2. Ravens 8-8 Great defense, shaky offense....

AFC South.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Titans 9-7 * With solid players and coaching, the Titans will have one of the NFL's better defenses. But can they keep it together offensively with George showing signs of age? 2. Colts 9-7 * The defense should...

AFC West.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Raiders 10-6 * They might be old, but you have to be this group the benefit of the doubt. If the Raiders somehow can manufacture a pass rush, they will be an elite team. 2. Broncos 8-8 Jake Plummer will be...

NFC East.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Eagles 10-6 * it may be fashionable to say the Eagles have peaked but they still have a lot of good players, and McNabb hasn't played his best yet. Don't write them off, 2. Giants 9-7 * This is one of the NFL's...

NFC North.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Packers 12-4 * The Packers won 12 games least season despite the fact starters missed a combined 63 starts. With any luck, they should be able to win at least 12 again. 2. Bears 8-8 The Bears are better than...

NFC South.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Bucs 11-5 * This team is rely similar to the Super Bowl champs or a year ago. If the Bucs come together like last season and stay healthy they, are capable of repeating. 2. Saints 9-7 The Saints are one of the...

NFC West.(NFL Preview)
September 1, 2003... POMPEI'S PREDICTIONS 1. Rams 12-4 * Their final eight opponents had a combined 2002 record ofn 43-85. That means the Rams could be in position to attain home-filed advantage for the playoffs. 2. 49ers 9-7 * Erickson plans to open up...

Jump start: the biggest games of this big-ticket Saturday will go a long way toward creating the sugar bowl matchup for the national championship.(College Football)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Thank God for greedy university presidents. Without them, we wouldn't have 12 games on schedules this season. Without the 12th games, we wouldn't have these juicy early-season appetizers before the start of most league schedules. It's the first...

Washington at Ohio State: Ohio stadium * 8 p.m. ET * ABC regional.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Don't believe it: This spring, Ohio State tried to sell the idea that it will throw more on offense to create balance. It's a good idea in theory, one that would get exciting wide receivers Chris Gamble and Michael Jenkins more involved and...

Southern California at Auburn: Jordan-Hare stadium * 6 p.m. ET * CBS national.(College Football)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Don't believe it: We love Norm Chow; he's the best teacher of quarterbacks in the game. That said, this is the reality: No matter how well USC quarterback Matt Leinart has performed in spring and fall camps, and no matter how many times we hear...

Oklahoma state at Nebraska: memorial stadium * 3:30 p.m. Et * ABC national.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Don't believe it: Nebraska's staff says it feel's good about the state of its I-backs, a critical component of the option offense. The reality is this: The Huskers don't have a dominant I-back and will rotate carries among David Horne, Josh...

Georgia at Clemson: memorial stadium noon ET * ABC regional.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Don't believe it: Georgia says it has solidified its running game with a combination of Tony Milton, Michael Cooper and Kregg Lumpkin. But Milton has been injury-prone the past two seasons, and there are questions about his ability to be a...

Colorado vs. Colorado State: Invesco field * at Denver, 7:45 P.M. ET * ESPN.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Don't believe it: Little Brother has beaten Big Brother three of the last four years, fueling a popular myth: Colorado State plays fast; Colorado plays big. Nothing could be further from reality. Colorado has been out-coached, period. The Buffs...

Reaping the rewards: a deep farm system and deeper pockets have the Cubs on the verge of something big in the N.L. Central--this season and for the near future.(Baseball)
September 1, 2003... Baseball players always balk at making predictions, and when the Astros' Jeff Bagwell is asked to pick the winner of the National League Central, he's too flummoxed to venture guess. "As weird as this division has been," Bagwell says, "you...

Title track: proving yourself at Darlington, with its challenging--sometimes downright frightening--layout, usually means you've shown you have championship mettle.(NASCAR)
September 1, 2003... More than any other racetrack on the Winston Cup circuit, it is the measure of a driver. "If you can run well at Darlington, you can run well anywhere," says three-time Winston Cup champion Cale Yarborough, who grew up in nearby...

Bonds doesn't need sympathy votes.(Baseball)
September 1, 2003... The loss of a parent creates a void like no other, but if you're wondering how it will affect Barry Bonds' ability to hit a baseball, consider his remarkable performance this season while his father was ailing. Bobby Bonds underwent...

The Barry factor.(Closer)
September 1, 2003... Are we ready to concede that Barry Bonds is the best of our time? He is approaching 700 homers, he has 500-some-odd stolen bases, he has been the MVP five times--and should have been six or seven times. Bonds has gotten better off the...

Buyer beware: Minaya could leave.(Baseball)(Montreal Expos general manager Omar Minaya)
September 1, 2003... A prospective buyer of the Expos might get an even bonier version of the skeletal wild-card contender. Not only does the team face the possibility of losing potential free-agent outfielder Vladimir Guerrero. It also could lose general manager...

One on one with ... Lou Piniella.(Baseball)
September 1, 2003... Under the direction of Lou Piniella, the perennially hapless Devil Rays appear to be turning things around and are 19-17 since the All-Star break. Free-lance writer Dennis Turtle talked with Piniella about his new challenge, his legendary...

Coming attractions.(Baseball)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The Red Sox and Yankees meet on back-to-back weekends, beginning Friday in Boston. The Red Sex have to think sweep, and they shuffled their rotation to get Pedro Martinez a start in the first series. Boston will complete a 12-game homestand...

Scouting report: Kevin Appier, RHP, Royals.(Baseball)
September 1, 2003... Age: 35 Height: 6-2. Weight: 215. 2003: Is 1-2 with a 4.26 ERA in his first four starts after being released by the Angels and left a game Sunday after two innings with elbow stiffness. With Anaheim, he was 7-7 with a 5.63 ERA--not the...

Statscape.(Baseball)
September 1, 2003... In a pennant race, managers sometimes ride their best pitchers harder. Days off allow them to skip that weak fifth starter, and extending a top hurler an inning or two can keep the more combustible relievers out of harm's way. Overworking...

Top five.(Baseball)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Second half collapse: 1 Eric Byrnes, OF, A's. Things looked pretty good For him heading into the All-Star break: a .299 batting average, 90 hits, 42 RBIs. Oh, how quickly things can change. In 18 games since, Byrnes has only two RBIs and...

N.L. Reports.(Baseball)
September 1, 2003... ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS The velocity still is there for LHP Randy Johnson--his fastball is reaching 97 mph--but his devastating slider hasn't been consistent, often splinting through the strike zone rather than darting. Johnson has been...

A.L. Reports.(Baseball)
September 1, 2003... ANAHEIM ANGELS With David Eckstein (hamstring) on the disabled list, SS Alfredo Amezaga is playing for a spot on next season's roster. Amezaga has some defensive skills, but he hit a wall offensively after reaching Class AAA Salt Lake in...

Bliss has bottomed out.(College Basketball)
September 1, 2003... No coach ever had been in the situation Dave Bliss found himself in this summer: one player missing and presumed dead, another player the chief suspect in the case. There was no handbook to educate Bliss on handling such a situation, no...

A high-stakes game of chicken.(College Football)
September 1, 2003... Scott Cowen has some pep in his step these days, preaching equality and morality for college football's booming economy. He better be careful what he wishes for. His crusade could change college football, all right--but not nearly the way he...

TSN power poll: the TSN power poll is determined by TSN writers and editors.(College Football)
September 1, 2003... TSN POWER POLL Rk. Team (last week) W-L Last Week 1. Auburn 0-0 Idle 2. Ohio State 0-0 Idle 3. Oklahoma 0-0 Idle 4. Michigan 0-0 Idle 5. Miami 0-0...

QB Ell Roberson, Kansas State.(Player of the Week)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Roberson has become one of the nation's fop dual-threat quarterbacks. Putting his skills to the test against California he accounted for 350 total yards--145 rushing, 205 passing--threw a career-high three TD passes and ran for another in the...

Hayes' six picks.(Player of the Week)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Ohio State 20, Washington 14: No Maurice Clarett means nothing fancy from OSU. which will get to the fourth quarter and win--just like it's 2002. Auburn 17, Southern California 9: Two of the best defenses in the country, and one slightly...

These cats could be Cinderellas.(College Football)
September 1, 2003... Go ahead and put Kansas State on one line of the Big 12 championship game. The only question is whether the Wildcats will show up as spoilers or to put an exclamation point on their run to the national championship game in the Sugar Bowl. ...

Justice falls by the roadside.(NASCAR)
September 1, 2003... When did NASCAR move its headquarters to the Magic Kingdom? Its approach to crime and punishment over the last few years has been strictly Mickey Mouse. The recent decisions in the case of Jimmy Spencer vs. Kurt Busch form a model of...

Track skinny.(TSN 10: the 10 big races to watch this year)(Brief Article)(Excerpt)
September 1, 2003... This is a rough track, with too much beach sand plopped here by too many tropical storms. The sand gnaws away tires, and cars grow looser, sliding higher. Gnawed tires lead to those overgrown eraser shavings of rubber that clog grilles. The...

Jeff Gordon gives us the runaround.(TSN 10: the 10 big races to watch this year)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... Jeff Gordon won at Darlington for the sixth time last year. He recently took contributing writer Lee Spencer on a virtual lap of the track: The first key to Darlington is not hitting the wall. You have to have respect for the track, plus a...

Contender checklist.(TSN 10: the big races to watch this year)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2003... The track is a chore to drive--the groove is narrow, and the surface is like sandpaper. The team that hits on the best tire/fuel strategy likely will win the race. Ryan Newman is showing he knows the way to victory lane. CONTENDER...

Killing the cap softly.(NBA)
September 1, 2003... It's probably a good thing that, for most of us, salaries remain known only to ourselves, the folks in human resources and the IRS. That way, if anyone asks, we're free to generously add a few grand or adjust the decimal point to our advantage....

Raising capital.(NHL)
September 1, 2003... Last September, coach Bruce Cassidy and his Capitals traveled to Dallas for a preseason game against the Stars. Before the game, Cassidy took his players on a trust-building exercise--walking on a course of ropes suspended high above the...

Ultimate fantasy source: football.
September 1, 2003... PLAY ACTION by ROB HURTT Anyone who drafted Michael Vick and then watched him get hurt knows the impact injuries can have on a fantasy team. A look at five preseason injuries that have fantasy owners crossing their fingers. ...

Thoroughbreds deserve greener pastures.
September 1, 2003... A home for Kentucky Derby winners should be sunshine, bluegrass and pretty mares waiting to make babies who can fly. There should be rolling pastures, white board fences and shade trees galore. Those great athletes should be fed, groomed and...

Every NFL game covered.(SportingNews.com)
September 8, 2003... TSN's Ultimate Pro Football Matchups provide pregame analysis all season long. The War Room breaks down every team's X's and O's, and our panel of experts makes its picks each week. We also highlight key matchups and scouting reports, plus...

Opening with a bang.(SportingNews Radio)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Kick off the NFL season with the debut of the Troy Aikman Show, Thursday at 5 p.m. ET. Coverage continues Sunday with Countdown to Kickoff from 11 a.m.-noon, Around the NFL from noon-8 p.m. and Coppock on Sports from 8-11 p.m. ET. But that's...

Golden glory.(SportingNews Books)(former Notre Dame player Bob Golic signs book for The Sports Network)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Former Notre Dame great Bob Golic will be signing copies of TSN's new book, Fighting Irish--the Might, the Magic and the Mystique of Notre Dame Football, before Notre Dame's season opener against Washington State. Get your own copy today at...

To know list: 5 bricks in rebuilding our rep after picking Auburn no. 1.(Know It All)(Brett Favre tops football player ranking)(Sonny Vaccaro leaves Adidas)(the Dodgers' Greg Miller)
September 8, 2003... (1) TSN'S ANNUAL NFL RANKINGS Six years of Favre and fun Those who have followed our annual ranking of the NFL's top 100 players (Page 14) will not be surprised to see Brett Favre atop this year's list. Favre was the No. 1 player in...

Big bird creates a flap.(Caught on the fly)(controversy over Jayhawks mascot, and other sports news)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Big bird creates a flap The first on-court controversy of Bill Self's regime at Kansas has erupted: Is the new Jayhawks mascot painted on the Allen Fieldhouse floor just too dang big? The bird is a whopping 251/2 feet tall--which is 2 feet...

Top 100? Try top 101.(Wild Turkey)(sportscasters lend their predictions for football season, opinions on teams and players)
September 8, 2003... TOP 100? TOP 101. WILD TURKEY WILD TURKEY[R] Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey. 50.5% Alc./Vol. (101 Proof). Austin, Nichols Distilling Co., Lawrenceburg, KY [c] 2003 Austin, Nichols & Co., Inc. Troy Aikman says: "Mike Shanahan,...

Putting his health on the line.(Know It All)(Indianapolis Colts)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Even after Mike Vick and Chad Pennington got dinged in exhibition games, the Colts had Peyton Manning operating as the lead blocker in the open field on a third quarter reverse in a meaningless contest. Who called that play? Mike Vanderjagt?

Bob Hille's starting 5.(Know It All)(anecdotes on current events in sports)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... (1) NFL Week 1. Fans at "Kickoff Live" in D.C. think it's the start of a championship season for the Redskins, making it the second most famous "I have a dream" moment in National Mall history. (2) Ohio State, You knew there was...

Hail those who never quit.(Kurt Warner, Tiger Woords, Lance Armstrong)(Column)
September 8, 2003... Being the good Republican that I am, I hesitate to invoke the memory of a particular former president in any way, shape or form--particularly in reference to three outstanding athletes... but here goes. Bear with me. You may remember a...

Your turn.(Know It All)(Letter to the Editor)
September 8, 2003... * I hope I'm wrong, but I'm afraid Panthers coach John Fox, when picking a starting quarterback from the likes of Rodney Peete, Jake Delhomme and Chris Weinke, is going to feel like he's trying to pick a worn-out shirt from a yard sale to wear...

Gramma's plan: after 94 years of waiting, a Cubs fan is willing to give 'em six more.(Know It All)(author describes his grandmother's dedication as fan of the Chicago Cubs)(Column)
September 8, 2003... My dad, Ted, taught me how to play baseball. But my grandmother, Marjorie Sheldon, taught me how to love baseball. How many other women get a satin Cubs jacket for their 80th birthday? Now she's 94 and enjoying baseball more than ever with...

Artificial sweeteners.(Static)(author comments on television coverage of professional football)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... * Artificial sweeteners: A few years ago, I was needling Steve Sabol about NFL Films' habit of taking liberties--running plays out of order, inserting stock shots of Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders into official reels of Super Bowl 10, etc. With...

Vital stat.(Static)(ESPN coverage of college football)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... * Vital stat: For the first time last fall. ESPN's Nielsens for Thursday night college football (2.2) outrated Saturday games (1.9).

Read all about it.(Static)(comment on the work of sportswriter Bill Simmons)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... * Read all about it: Bill Simmons, writer for ESPN.com, ESPN The Magazine and Jimmy Kimmel Live, devoted 1.836 words to a positive online review of Playmakers but omitted three--conflict of interest.

Soundbitten.(Static)(sportscaster Frank Callendo)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... * Soundbitten: "I don't do John Madden to be mean. I do a John Madden impression to make money."--Frank Callendo, new Fox NFL Sunday funnyman E-mail: fquindt@sportingnews.com

Is a NASCAR race better in person or on TV?(Counterpoints)
September 8, 2003... On TV Winston Cup races are the worst sporting events to see in person. The noise is unbearable, the air is unbreathable, it takes 8 hours to get to the track, 10 hours to get home, it's 135 degrees in the shade (not that there is any),...

A stick-and-ball fan's guide to NASCAR.(Driver's ed)(when race car drivers need to pee)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... What does a driver do if he has to make a pit stop, if you know what I mean, in the middle of a race? If this isn't the most frequently asked question, it's the most frequently pondered. If you want to have a chance encounter with a NASCAR...

The power of nine: with productive hitters from top to bottom, the Red Sox's lineup is taking aim on the record book--and on a place in the postseason.(Baseball)
September 8, 2003... By now you must be shaking your noggin over the Red Sox. Their lineup does little to invoke the legend of the '27 Yankees or the '76 Reds, but some way, somehow, the Sox are putting up numbers that are every bit as impressive. In fact, if...

The big cheese: Brett Favre might be talking about retirement, but his skills haven't diminished--not even close. The Packers' gunslinger tops our annual rating of the league's elite.(The NFL's 100 Best Players)(National Football League)
September 8, 2003... Anyone who has watched Brett Favre closely and believes he should consider retirement must have a cheesehead over his eyes. In Favre, we are witnessing one of the best players of all time at any position near the pinnacle of his game. His...

A positive forecast for these four.(National Football League)
September 8, 2003... It's easy to find fault in or predict doom for every team at this time of year, especially because everyone has a flaw or two or three. It's not as easy to take the flip side and choose pros over cons, but let's look at key issues for four...

AFC.(National Football League, American Football Conference)
September 8, 2003... BALTIMORE RAVENS RISKY BUSINESS: The decision to start rookie QB Kyle Boller over Chris Redman is a gamble because the team opens the season at Pittsburgh. It would be better to let Redman, a veteran, start in the hostile environment and...

NFC.(National Football League, National Football Conference)
September 8, 2003... ARIZONA CARDINALS DIAPER DANDIES: This could be the team's best draft class in years. The most impressive rookies are DEs Calvin Pace, a first-round pick, and Kenny King, a fifth-round pick. They could start together before October. Pace...

A return to Vinsanity?(NBA)(Vince Carter, the Toronto Raptors, and other baskeball player news)
September 8, 2003... Eight weeks left until the season starts, and the standard Vince Carter surliness is sounding like clockwork. Seems every year around late August and early September, Carter likes to remind folks that he should not be taken lightly, that he...

Racing's newest pariah.(NASCAR)(Kurt Busch and other race car drivers)
September 8, 2003... Kurt Busch needs a crash course in damage control. The boos at Bristol Motor Speedway were just the beginning. The opinions of his peers and teammates are what matter most. And right now, the watchword for Busch is respect--or lack thereof....

Ray Holm.(Circle K Pit Stop)(rear tire changer of Robert Yates Racing)(Brief Article)
September 8, 2003... Veteran rear tire changer Ray Holm, affectionately referred to as "Ray-Ray" throughout the Winston Cup garage, joined Robert Yates Racing four years ago. On Sundays, he is a member of the pit crew for Elliott Sadler's No. 38 M&M's Ford. ...

Dress rehearsal: drivers aren't the only ones who graduate from the Busch Series to Winston Cup. A few crew chiefs and crew members are ready to take the next step.(NASCAR)
September 8, 2003... Every major sport has its minor leagues. In stock car racing, the Busch Series is the equivalent of Class AAA, one rung below the Big Show. Given the similarities of the cars to those in Winston Cup and the opportunities to race at many...