Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting
03/11/2010 - Sao Paulo, Brazil (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The IndyCar Series -- with new title sponsor IZOD -- kicks off its 2010 season this weekend in Brazil, marking the first time the series competes in a South American country. With 17 races on the schedule, this year should feature another great tug of war among several drivers for the championship. The fight for the title has come down to the last lap of the season-finale the past four years, so don't be surprised if that's the case again on October 2 at Homestead.
WILL GANASSI'S REIGN CONTINUE?
Dario Franchitti capped off his return to IndyCar in 2009 with his second championship. Franchitti edged 2008 series champion and Target Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Scott Dixon by 11 points.
After winning his first title with Michael Andretti's team in 2007, Franchitti joined Ganassi and moved over to NASCAR Sprint Cup and Nationwide Series competition the following year, but his efforts in stock car racing did not go as well as he expected.
His IndyCar comeback was nothing short of success with five victories for the '09 season.
"I think that the Indy car I jumped in was a good one, and Team Target puts really good cars out and that definitely made my job easier," Franchitti said. "I've been doing it for so long before that as opposed to when I went to stock cars which was learning something completely new. This was going back to learning something that was instinct for me. It was all I'd ever really done, so it was a lot easier, and I love driving those cars."
Franchitti and Dixon made Ganassi the head of the class last year with a combined 10 wins.
Dixon became the winningest driver in the series last August when he collected his 20th career victory at Mid-Ohio. Sam Hornish Jr. held the previous record with 19.
Hornish is the only driver with three series titles, but Franchitti and Dixon have the opportunity to match that record this year. Dixon won his first championship in 2003.
PENSKE POWER
Once again, Team Penske will be Ganassi's biggest threat in IndyCar. Penske will field three cars this season, adding Will Power to its stable of full- time drivers. The team has not been a three-car operation since 1994 when Al Unser Jr., Emerson Fittipaldi and Paul Tracy finished 1-2-3, respectively, in points. All three drivers combined for a record-setting 12 wins that year when IndyCar was sanctioned by CART.
Ryan Briscoe had a sensational season with Penske last year, winning three times and finishing just 12 points behind champion Franchitti. Despite missing the first race of the season due to his federal tax evasion trial, Helio Castroneves won two races, including the Indianapolis 500, and finished fourth in the standings. Power ran a limited schedule for Penske last year. After finishing third on the Toronto street circuit and winning on the Edmonton street/airport course, Power appeared to be one of the hottest drivers in the series until a horrifying wreck in practice at Sonoma, CA curtailed his season.
Penske has high expectations entering the Sao Paulo street circuit. Briscoe, Castroneves and Power have each claimed victories on temporary road courses over the last three seasons.
"It's been a long off-season, and I think we're all ready to get 2010 underway in Sao Paulo," Briscoe said. "Team Penske has worked really hard over the last few months, and we're prepared for what we hope will be a great season. We got off to a strong start in preseason testing, and now it's time to see what we can do when we see the green flag."
Penske recently unveiled the new look of the its cars during last month's open test at Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, AL. All three Penske cars this year will feature a sleek black and white color scheme. This will be the first time since 1990 the team will not race its red and white livery.
OTHER COMPETITORS
After a disappointing season last year, Andretti made significant changes to his four-car stable. During the off-season, he took sole ownership of Andretti Green Racing and changed the name to Andretti Autosport.
Andretti also brought on board Tom Anderson as the team's senior vice president of racing operations. Anderson served as managing director of Chip Ganassi Racing from 1990-2000 and helped lead Ganassi to four consecutive CART titles from 1996-99.
After her three-race stint in NASCAR's second-tier series in February, Danica Patrick returns for another full season in IndyCar. Patrick recorded 10 top-10 finishes, including a third-place run in the Indy 500, en route to her career- best finish of fifth in points last year. Andretti had served as her race strategist, but Anderson moves into the role this season.
Patrick is expected to compete in 10 more Nationwide races this year, with her next event scheduled the last weekend in June at New Hampshire.
This year, Ryan Hunter-Reay joins Tony Kanaan, Marco Andretti and Patrick at Andretti. Hunter-Reay currently is slated for a limited number of races, but Andretti is working on a full-time ride for him.
Kanaan, the 2004 series champion, is looking to rebound after his first winless season last year. He started the season with top-five finishes in the first three races but faltered from there. Kanaan hopes his winning ways return when he races in front of his home crowd this week.
"As a Brazilian getting ready to open the season in Brazil, it is hard to explain the excitement and the pressure that I'm feeling," Kanaan said.
Marco Andretti is a long-shot for the title, but could turn in some top-notch performances during the year.
Many seats were swapped during the off-season. Justin Wilson has found a new home with Dreyer & Reinbold Racing. Last year, he gave Dale Coyne Racing it first win in 25 years of IndyCar competition. Milka Duno takes over Wilson's ride at Coyne, while Hideki Mutoh has left Andretti's organization and joined Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing. E.J. Viso is on board with KV Racing Technology after a two-year stint with HVM Racing.
NEWCOMERS
Takuma Sato, Mario Romancini, Ana Beatriz and Simona de Silvestro will make up this year's rookie class.
Sato, who competed in Formula One from 2002-08, makes his IndyCar debut in Brazil, driving for KVRT. Romancini landed a ride with Conquest Racing after graduating from the Firestone Indy Lights Series in '09.
The series will have four female competitors this year, with Beatriz from Brazil in a Dreyer & Reinbold car and de Silvestro from Switzerland driving for HVM.
INDYCAR'S NEW TOP BOSS
Randy Bernard, a longtime top executive at Professional Bull Riders, Inc., recently was named as the new chief executive officer of the Indy Racing League, which is the sanctioning body of the series.
Bernard headed PBR for the last 15 years. Under his leadership, attendance for stand-alone rodeo bull-riding events increased 12 percent and ratings with television partner VERSUS rose nearly 30 percent last year.
VERSUS will televise 12 IndyCar races this year.
"I truly believe I can make a difference with the Indy Racing League, and I see tremendous potential," Bernard said.
Bernard began his role with the IRL on March 1. His appointment came eight months after Tony George resigned as CEO of the governing body. George founded the IRL in 1996.
<< Schwartzel finds himself alone in front at Doral
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - South Africa's Charl Schwartzel posted a
brilliant, bogey-free, five-under 67 on Thursday to take the first-round lead
of the WGC-CA Championship.
Schwartzel braved tough, windy conditions at the TPC Bl
<< Raiders cut ties with DT Warren
Alameda, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oakland Raiders released defensive tackle
Gerard Warren on Thursday.
The Raiders acquired Warren from the Broncos prior to the 2007 season, but the
6-foot-4, 330-pounder registered just 97 tackles and 10
<< Bears re-sign S Bullocks
Lake Forest, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Chicago Bears signed safety Josh
Bullocks to a one-year tender offer on Thursday.
The 40th pick by New Orleans in the 2005 draft, Bullocks has recorded 327
tackles, six interceptions, 28 p
<< Western Athletic Conference Tournament Recaps
Reno, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Tai Wesley, one of three players to score 18
points for Utah State, collected 10 rebounds as the Aggies defeated Boise
State, 84-60, in the quarterfinals of the Western Athletic Conference
Tournam
Big buzz on Amen Corner: Woods reportedly to return at Masters >>
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Masters truly will be a tradition unlike
any other this April, as several media outlets have reported that Tiger Woods
will make his highly anticipated return to competitive golf at the season's
first m
Report: Calhoun, Huskies close to contract extension >>
New Haven, CT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The University of Connecticut and men's head
basketball coach Jim Calhoun are reportedly close to a contract extension.
The New Haven Register, citing a source with knowledge of the situation,
stated T
Heat's Wright charged with DUI >>
Miami, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Miami Heat forward Dorell Wright has been charged
with driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license.
The Miami Herald reported Wright was arrested in South Beach and was stopped
early Thurs
Bulls' Rose leaves with sprained wrist >>
Orlando, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chicago Bulls All-Star point guard Derrick
Rose left Thursday's game against the Magic with a left wrist injury.
Rose was driving the lane in the first quarter and ran into Orlando center
Dwight Howard
The Indianapolis Colts know that winning the Super Bowl last season put a huge target on their backs, and they expect opponents to go all-out to knock them from the top of the mountain.
They’ll get their first test from the New Orleans Saints this Thursday night. The defending champs had nothing but good things to say about the New Orleans defense this past week, praising their opponents’ pass rush and run-stopping abilities.
"They play very aggressively," head coach Tony Dungy told the New Orleans Times-Picayune. "They play a lot of man-to-man coverage, and they come after you. They have good pass rushers, and they're going to try to pressure us, I'm sure."
Both center Jeff Saturday and quarterback Peyton Manning gave New Orleans’ front four props, admitting keeping guys like Will Smithand Charles Grant contained would be a tall task for the offensive line.
New Orleans ranked second in total defense during the preseason at a sportsbook, allowing just under 233 yards per game. Last season, the defense finished 11th in the league after giving up 307.3 yards and 20.1 points per contest.
Not so sound on the ground
If Indianapolis' efficient offense has a weakness it has to be its running attack. The Colts one-two-punch of Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai is no longer, leaving the bulk of the carries to Addai, the second-year back out of LSU.
Former Saskatchewan Roughrider Kenton Keith was named Addai’s backup this week after beating out DeDe Dorsey for the second-string position. Indy has only three backs on the roster right now, including fullback Luke Lawton, and coach Dungy is aware of the thinness of his ground game. Sports Betting lines on the game can be found at BettingExpress.com
“We’ll continue to look. Luke Lawton’s done a good job for us too. So probably getting a third true tailback is something that we’d like to do,” Dungy told the Indiana Tribune-Star.
Last season, Addai rushed for over 1,000 yards in his rookie campaign and scored seven touchdowns on the ground.
Brees says bring it on
Opening the season on the road against the defending Super Bowl champions is not the way most teams would like to kick off their year – unless you’re the New Orleans Saints or their quarterback Drew Brees. This internet Sportsbooks had the Saints as the favorites.
Brees told the New Orleans Times-Picayune that he is excited to get the regular season started and the Colts are a great challenge for him and his teammates. The 28-year-old QB, entering his second season with the Saints, is expecting a wild environment in the RCA Dome this Thursday when the franchise celebrates its 2007-2007 championship.
Brees said he sees the opening game scheduling as an honor and a testament to how well New Orleans did last season. The Saints missed facing the Colts in the Super Bowl by one game, losing to the Chicago Bearsin the NFC Championship game.
"I mean, people think we can hang with these guys," Brees told reporters. "Even if they didn't, it wouldn't matter what they thought because as a team we're very confident. We know what we can do. We're not satisfied where we finished the season last year. And we've been looking forward to this opportunity for a long time."
SportsBooks ready for a shootout
Oddsmakers are preparing for some fireworks this Thursday when the NFL season kicks off. online Sportsbooks have Thursday’s total set at a whopping 52 points, accounting for two of the league’s most explosive offenses.
“This is like must-see TV,” Saints cornerback and former Colt Jason David told the Baton Rouge Advocate. “It’s two exciting offenses with great players. You’ve got a lot of star power on offense. At any given time a big play can happen. If I was a fan, I wouldn’t miss a snap.”
New Orleans, who ranked No.1 in total offense last season, can go blow-for-blow with the Colts’ attack. Head coach Sean Payton’s offensive schemes will get even better production out of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and receiver Marques Colston now that they’ve each had a season of playing together under their belts.
The Saints and Colts were the top two passing teams in the NFL last year, but while Indianapolis managed to put up almost 27 points per game, New Orleans struggled to capitalize on their efforts. The Saints ranked fifth in points per game.
“Yards are great,” running backDeuce McAllister told reporters, “but to be able to score more touchdowns would be important for us.”
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football betting needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts US credit cards
American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.
Sports Betting News: NFL Team History | NFL Football Betting | College Football Betting | Baseball Betting | Basketball Betting | College Basketball Betting | Hockey Betting | Golf Betting | Tennis Betting | Auto Racing Betting | Horse Racing Betting | Soccer Betting