ekansekans's blog: "df"

INDIANAPOLIS -- Tony Kanaan has been called just about every name in the book. Cameron Wake Womens Jersey . Fan favourite, pole-sitter, race-day favourite, race leader, even the last starter on the grid. For Kanaan, the past decade of Indianapolis has been filled with close calls, bad luck and frustration. But he keeps coming back to this 2.5-mile oval because he loves the race and its fans, and he figures eventually, the racing spirits might show some empathy for him, too. "I dont think Ive had a bad memory here," he says with that confident smile and playful chuckle. "Ive just got to think things happen for a reason." Whatever the reason, Kanaan, the 2004 IndyCar champ, has been the king of hard knocks at Indy. -- In 2004, he was leading until a pit stop on lap 133, then ran second until Buddy Rice passed him on lap 150. Thirty laps later, a storm sent Rice to Victory Lane and Kanaan to a post-race news conference as the runner-up. -- In 2007, he was leading on lap 113 when the rain came. After a lengthy wait in which it appeared Kanaan may finally have had his coveted Indy win, the race restarted, and Kanaan stayed in front until he ceded the lead during a pit stop on lap 157. Nine laps later, another storm moved through, ending the race. Kanaan finished 12th. -- In 2008, Scott Dixon passed Kanaan for the lead on lap 106. A few moments later, teammate Marco Andretti went to the inside to make another pass of Kanaan. All Kanaan could do was go high, scraping the outside wall and forcing him to turn into the path of Sarah Fisher. Both cars were knocked out of the race. Afterward, Kanaan complained that every time he leads the race, something happens. -- In 2009, a broken suspension sent the Brazilian into Indys concrete wall. The hit was so hard he bounced off, slammed into the wall again at more than 180 mph and was still limping when he showed up for the Milwaukee race a week later. If theres one person at Gasoline Alley who understands Kanaans plight, its Michael Andretti, his former team owner. "Weve talked about it a lot," Andretti said Friday. "Hes probably one of the best drivers at this track without a win under his belt. I know how he feels, and he knows how I feel, and he knows hes running out of chances, too." Andretti led the most laps of any non-500 winner (431). Kanaan has led more laps at Indy (214) than any non-winner still active in the series. So perhaps this will be the year fate intervenes. For the first time since 2009, Kanaan qualified in the front three rows. Hell start eighth, the middle of Row 3, a stark contrast from two years ago when he started from the final position in the 33-car field after using pieces from two crashed cars and Ryan Hunter-Readys No. 28 car just to qualify for the race.. Its also Kanaans 11th Indy start, matching both his car number and his lucky number, and it just happens to be coming on a day that he will be wearing special sunglasses in tribute to the late Dan Wheldon, his close friend and ex-teammate. "You know, every time Dan came here, he tried to enjoy it and I learned this from Dan," Kanaan said. "He was pretty good around here, but every time he was here, he would be like, Oh, look at the flags blowing or Oh, they changed the photos in the Pagoda." Kanaan insists he has learned to take a similar approach to Indy by staying relaxed and avoiding discussion of the things that could have been. His buddies in Gasoline Alley know better. "I think if Tony had a chance of winning the IndyCar championship, the points, or winning Indy, hed go 100 times for Indy," KV Racing Technology teammate and longtime friend Rubens Barrichello said. "When he was going for the setup out here, I told him Just relax, man, youre so tense. It freaks you out sometimes." Kanaan certainly has a large, loyal fan base. He spoke of the roar he heard when he made the first qualifying run last Saturday only to have the time erased because of a technical violation. When he returned several hours later to qualify again, the roar was even louder. Drivers ranging from Marco Andretti to Barrichello and even former drivers such as Michael Andretti acknowledge that deep down theyre still rooting for Kanaan to win one. "I think the pressure keeps building when you know you have less and less shots," Michael Andretti said. "So you just have to go out and do your job and hope this is your year." And thats exactly Kanaans mentality heading into Sunday. "Im more confident than last year, so Im ready," Kanaan said. "And why not?" When reminded he drove from 33rd into the front pack in 2010, Kanaan said: "Well try to do it again from eighth." Brian Hartline Womens Jersey . Financial details were not known, but the deal is still pending a physical. Rauch will likely assume the closers role for the Mets, who have been seeking someone to fill that vacancy since dealing Francisco Rodriguez to Milwaukee at last years All-Star break. Reggie Bush White Jersey . Its the sixth time the D.C United attacking midfielder has made the leagues Best XI. For Beckham, its the first such honour since arriving in MLS in 2007. http://www.miamidolphinsfansprostore.com/larry-csonka-jersey . Not only dont they care about the achievements, sometimes they arent even aware of them. Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards scored early, and defenceman Michael Del Zotto had two goals in the third period as the NHL-leading Rangers won their fourth in a row and moved closer to securing the top seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs with a 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night. Ryan Tannehill White Jersey . Dunn, who ran for 720 yards and four touchdowns this past season, spent six years with the Falcons. The 11-year NFL veteran became expendable after the signing of Turner, who was the backup to San Diegos LaDainian Tomlinsion. Reggie Bush Orange Jersey . A person familiar with Clevelands decision said Wednesday night that the Cavs have exercised the option on Scotts contract for the 2013-14 season.Lindsey Vonns request to compete in a mens World Cup downhill race has been rejected by the International Ski Federation. The FIS council met Saturday in Oberhofen, Switzerland, and "confirmed that one gender is not entitled to participate in races of the other," adding in a statement that "exceptions will not be made to the FIS Rules." Vonn, a four-time overall World Cup champion, wanted to enter the mens downhill on Nov. 24 at Lake Louise, Alta., six days before the women race on the same course. "Its very clear," FIS secretary general Sarah Lewis told The Associated Press in a telephone interview. "Its called the mens World Cup and the ladies World Cup. The men race the mens World Cup and the ladies race the ladies World Cup. FIS and World Cup points are not transferrable from one circuit to another." The FIS statement said Vonn "is welcome to submit a request to the organizing committee and jury to be a forerunner" for the races. Forerunners test the course before races for safety and visibility. Vonn has earned nine of her 26 World Cup downhill victories in Lake Louise, which is often dubbed "Lake Lindsey" for her dominance there. Vonn approached the FIS with the request in early October. Following discussions between Vonn, coaches and sport leaders, the U.S. Ski and Snowboard Association (USSA) petitioned the FIS council to consider her request to enter a mens race at some point in her career. "Were disappointed that the FIS Council did not support the proposal, but also respecct its direction," USSA president and CEO Bill Marolt, who is also a member of the FIS council, said in a statement. Reggie Bush Jersey. "Lindsey Vonn is a great champion in our sport and we have always respected her interests in this new challenge." Alpine Canada president Max Gartner was disappointed about the decision. "I saw it as a great opportunity to raise the profile of the sport by attracting interest from people who do not normally follow ski racing, particularly in North America," Gartner said in a statement. "It would have provided a great platform to showcase our sport and the amazing athletic performances of our athletes." Lewis said while there was no vote, the 17-member council was in general agreement over the decision. "This decision had nothing to do with an individual. Its not personal, its not specific to Lindsey and its not underlying her skills," Lewis said, adding that the USSA handled Vonns request "eloquently." Still, Gartner wasnt satisfied. "Lindsey has achieved many milestones in ladies ski racing," he said. "It would have been interesting to see how she stacked up against the best male racers in the world. Lake Louise is the perfect venue to have that comparison because Lindsey has as much experience on the mountain as many of the men have had." Vonn has said she wants to race the grueling Streif course in Kitzbuehel, Austria, after she retires. "I hope Lindsey gets a chance to fulfil her dream at a later date," Gartner said. ' ' '