Milka Duno has signed a deal with Dale Coyne Racing that will allow her to race the full 2010 Indy schedule. The Venezuelan racer has started 20 IRL races since 2007 but this will be her first time running a full season. According to her Wikipedia entry, Milka is best known for holding the record of highest finish for a female driver in the 24 Hours of Daytona. I would have to disagree though and would say she’s better known for her boobs or big mouth.
At any rate, I don’t think Milka Duno and Danica Patrick get along very well. Here’s a video from an incident at Mid-Ohio in 2008.
What a game, what a weekend! Congrats to Drew Brees and the Saints for their victory over Payton and Co. in Super Bowl #??. Danica made her stock car debut and finished 6th in the ARCA race at Daytona on Saturday and Kevin Harvick edged out his second straight victory in the Budweiser Shootout. Mark Martin and Dale Jr. will be on the front row for Sunday’s Daytona 500 and the rest of the field will be sorted on during the Gatorade Duels on Thursday. Here are the rest of the headlines…
San Diego Supercross – Check out TransWorld Motocross’ coverage of San Diego Supercross, where Davi Millsaps pulled off his first victory in nearly 2 years. The boys at TWMX were also nice enough to put together a gallery of the ladies of San Diego Supercross for those of us who didn’t want to sit in the rain, unfortunately it’s a pretty weak gallery. Where are the crowd shots? That’s where the hotties are. Anyway, I caught a bit of the coverage on Sunday morning and it wasn’t as muddy as I thought it would be and seemed to be a pretty good race in the final.
Local News: Thousands Visit Jade Buddha In Escondido – Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike descended upon the Phap Vuong Monastery in Escondido on Sunday to witness the unveiling of the Jade Buddha for Universal Peace, the largest Buddha ever carved from jade in the world. The statue is on the North American leg of its world tour. Monastery officials estimated that by 2 p.m., more than 10,000 visitors had participated in the event. The Buddha will be on display in Escondido through February 16th.
Local News: Animal Waste Used To Ward Off Protesters – An Oceanside animal hospital is using three large bins filled with animal feces set near the edge of its property to try to ward off labor-union members who have been picketing the place for months because the hospital used a nonunion contractor in some of its construction work. “We put it out there every day to discourage them,” said Lisa Hamilton, administrator of Mission Animal and Bird Hospital on Benet Road at Highway 76. She declined to discuss the matter further, saying inquiries were being handled by veterinarian Robert Cartin. “It smells awful,” said Abraham Bustamante of Carpenters Local 1506, pointing out the bins on Friday. Bustamante said the odor is so bad, particularly on warm days, that picketers often wear masks to filter the air they breathe.
Local News: Drunk Driver In Encinitas Rams Sheriff’s Deputy – A suspected drunken driver crashed into the back of a Sheriff’s patrol car late Sunday night in Cardiff, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Deputy Steve Johnson had stopped at the intersection of South Coast Highway 101 and Chesterfield Drive when the crash occurred, said Sgt. William Dreyer. The deputy was taken to Scripps Encinitas Hospital for treatment of minor injuries and was later released. The driver of the car, Troy Otillio, 44, was arrested for suspicion of driving under the influence, Dreyer said. Otillio was not injured in the crash, the sergeant said.
Olympic Athletes Confused By Social Networking Guidelines – There are some restrictions on what athletes can do online during the Olympics. According to the IOC Blogging Guidelines for the 2010 Games, athletes and other accredited people must keep their posts confined to their personal experiences. “You can’t act as a journalist if you aren’t,” says Condron. “You need to do things in a first person way.” Rule 49 of the Olympic Charter says that “Only those persons accredited as media may act as journalists, reporters or in any other media capacity.” The other most significant restriction on athletes posts is a ban on references to sponsors or advertisers who aren’t official Olympic partners. – I used to enjoy watching the Olympics as a kid but after being exposed to all these guidelines set forth by the IOC, I’m growing to despise them. At work, we’re one of their media partners so we have to deal with some of their ridiculous guidelines.
Danica Adds Daytona To Nationwide Schedule, NASCAR Premiere – JR Motorsports’ general manager Kelley Earnhardt has announced Danica Patrick will make her NASCAR and Nationwide series premiere this weekend at Daytona. Patrick, the only woman to win an IndyCar Series race, had considered not competing at Daytona because of the uniqueness of restrictor-plate racing and also the number of Sprint Cup drivers in the event. But having survived a spin and moving from the back of the pack to near the front during the ARCA race, Patrick felt as if she progressed enough to make her NASCAR debut on NASCAR’s biggest stage a day before the Daytona 500. “The ARCA race was a blast, and I’m not ready for my first Daytona Speedweeks to end just yet. I want more racing,” Patrick said.
Video of the latest GoDaddy.com ad featuring Danica Patrick that CBS recently denied for broadcast during the Super Bowl. I could see them denying it because it’s not funny…
El Cajon’s Jimmie Johnson has provided the quote of the day during an interview yesterday while discussing open wheel drivers making the transition to stock cars amid Danica Patrick-mania:
“The guy I wouldn’t want to learn from would be Sam Hornish. He hits way too much stuff, including me.” – Jimmie Johnson
Record-size Jade Buddha Visiting Escondido – I saw Escondido and Buddha in the same headline and I assumed it was a hip reporter’s clever headline for a pot bust. – The world’s largest Buddha carved from gem-quality jade arrived Wednesday in Escondido to begin a two-week stay that includes a Sunday unveiling ceremony expected to attract up to 3,000 people. The Buddha, consecrated in December by the Dalai Lama, arrived at Escondido’s Phap Vuong Buddhist Monastery by truck about 6 p.m. Wednesday. At 4 tons and nearly 9 feet high, the sculpture is the largest Buddha ever carved from gem-quality dark-green nephrite jade, although a larger one is being carved in Vietnam from light-colored jadeite. The Buddha will be displayed at all hours until Feb. 16, when it will be shipped to another monastery in Orlando, Fla. The monastery is at 715 Vista Ave. in Escondido.
Padres Fan (Friar) Fest Set For Saturday, Feb. 13 – Admittance to Padres FanFest is free and the gates at will open at 9 a.m. PT for season-ticket holders. Activities will include autograph sessions, Padres Garage Sale, hitting and pitching clinics, clubhouse tours, opportunities to run the base and catch fly balls in the outfield, Q & A sessions and more. The general public can enter the stadium at 10 a.m. The event ends at 5 p.m. Parking is free in four locations: the three surface lots along Imperial Avenue (southeast side of PETCO Park) and the Padres Parkade Garage (10th Avenue at J Street).
PADRES: Jerry Coleman Will Have Reduced Role In 2010 – For 37 years, Jerry Coleman has been the voice of the Padres on radio, the link between the team on the field and the fans in their homes, cars, at the beach or a barbecue. It will remain that way in 2010, but in a very limited basis. John Lynch, president and CEO of the Broadcast Company of the Americas —- the parent company of XX Sports Radio 1090, the Padres’ flagship station – said Coleman will call only 20-30 home day games. Coleman will still be involved every day, however, doing pregame features. “What does that mean?” Coleman said. “I guess I’ll be doing the ‘Manager’s Report’ like I’ve always done. Honestly, I haven’t been told much. At my age, I’m still fortunate to be working. I’m happy to have a job with the Padres and with XX. Really, I’m delighted to be working.”
First Cup Practice at Daytona Marred by Multicar Crash – An on-track tangle between Mark Martin and Denny Hamlin triggered a seven-car accident Thursday that may set the tone for two weeks of ramped-up racing at Daytona International Speedway. Also involved were Greg Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Joey Logano, Kyle Busch and Clint Bowyer who was driving his teammate Kevin Harvick’s #29 car at the time. Harvick was out with flu-like symtoms. Later in the practice, Kurt Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya came together sending Busch into the wall and forcing him to a back-up car.
This Weekend’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Schedule – Last night was the draw for the Budweiser Shootout
Shootout Qualifying – Saturday, 02/06 – 1pm EST Daytona 500 Practice – Saturday, 02/06 – 2pm EST Daytona 500 Practice – Saturday, 02/06 – 4pm EST Budweiser Shootout – Saturday, 02/06 – 8pm EST
Live ARCA Qualifying – Danica is currently sitting in 9th with about 20 cars left with a speed of 179.788. Last year’s winner James Buescher is the current pole-sitter at a speed of 181.543 and Ricky Carmichael has yet to qualify. The green flag for the Daytona 200 drops tomorrow at 4:30pm EST and will be televised live on SPEED.
Supercross Rolls Into San Diego – AMA Supercross rolls into San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium this weekend minus the sport’s two biggest stars as James Stewart and Chad Reed are both out with injuries.
Video from Toyota of Escondido’s Supercross Kick-off Party earlier this week…
JR Motorsports Unveils 2010 Schedule For Patrick – JR Motorsports has announced Danica Patrick will race in at least 12 races this year in the Nationwide Series and possibly a 13th. The possible 13th race would be the season opener at Daytona on February 13th.
Feb. 20 – Fontana
Feb. 27 – Las Vegas
June 26 – Loudon
July 9 – Chicago
Aug. 14 – Michigan
Sept. 25 – Dover
Oct. 9 – Fontana
Oct. 15 – Charlotte
Oct. 23 – Gateway
Nov. 6 – Texas
Nov. 20 – Homestead
Stenhouse Jr. Has Longtime Friend, Mentor In Stewart – “He (Stewart) came to spot for me, but I was in a bad mood because I qualified 10th,” Stenhouse said. “I was with my guys in the lounge of the trailer and Tony came in and blew up at me. He yelled at me and told me I wasn’t going to set the world on fire and win everything. And that it didn’t matter where I qualified. It only mattered where I was at the end of the race.” Stenhouse is a member of the Roush Fenway Racing team set to campaign his first full-time Nationwide Series season this year in the No. 6 Ford.
R. Gordon Eyes Various Series Outside of NASCAR – For the first time since 2001, owner/driver Robby Gordon will not attempt a full Sprint Cup Series schedule, opting instead to diversify in several directions — including a possible Indianapolis 500 attempt, the X Games and a Monster Truck program. In an audio clip from Sirius’ Tradin’ Paint posted on his team’s Web site, Gordon said a lack of sponsorship for his No. 7 Toyota would force that program’s reduction, including splitting the schedule with new ally BAM Racing. Gordon, the 2009 SCORE Trophy-Truck champion, said he also would compete in a variety of off-road events.
Tiger’s Mistress, Jaimee Grubbs’ Photo shoot with TransWorld SURF – I’m waiting for the rest of these to make their way online but for now here’s a peek at a hot and steamy photo shoot Jamie Grubbs did with TransWorld SURF. Subscribe and get your own towel… – TransWorldSURF.com
It’s official, Danica Patrick to Race Nationwide in 2010 – The inevitable became official yesterday when Danica Patrick announced she will be racing a limited Nationwide schedule in 2010 in the No. 7 car for JR Motorsports. Danica will make her stock car debut on February 6 at an ARCA event at Daytona, the day before the Super Bowl.
MLB’s Winter Meetings – Yesterday was a relatively quiet day in Indy as baseball executives kicked the annual winter meetings. Today, however, has started off with news of a 3-team trade involving the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks, news coming in from Bob Scanlan’s Twitter, @heyscan and MLBTradeRumors.com. Nothing is official yet but here’s what it’s looking like:
Yankees – Get Curtis Granderson (DET). Give up Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy and Phil Coke Tigers – Get Max Scherzer (AZ) Daniel Schlereth (AZ), Phil Coke (NYY), Austin Jackson (NYY). Give up Edwin Jackson and Curtis Granderson Diamondbacks – Get Edwin Jackson (DET), Ian Kennedy (NYY). Give up Max Scherzer, Daniel Schlereth
Mark Teahen Signs With White Sox, 3-year 14MM – Here are the season lines for Mark Teahen and Kevin Kouzmanoff, who is eligible for arbitration… – Teahen Signs With White Sox
Brad Penny Signs 1-year, $7.5MM with Cardinals – Yahoo!
Pudge Rodriguez Signs 2-year, $6MM with Nats - Yahoo!
Corn Huskers to Play in Holiday Bowl – The Nebraska Corn Huskers will travel west later this month to meet up with Arizona in the Holiday Bowl – HolidayBowl.com
Chargers 3-point Underdogs vs Cowboys – Lines opened up at +2.5 for S.D. and have been shuffling back and forth between 2.5 and 3.5. I’ll take the 3.5 points all day.
IndyCar Series and crossover media star Danica Patrick is nearing completion of a two-year contract with JR Motorsports, the NASCAR Nationwide Series operation owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., and a source close to the negotiations described the talks as being “in the final phase.” – Full Scoop
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Milka Duno has signed a deal with Dale Coyne Racing that will allow her to race the full 2010 Indy schedule. The Venezuelan racer has started 20 IRL races since 2007 but this will be her first time running a full season. According to her Wikipedia entry, Milka is best known for holding the record of highest finish for a female driver in the 24 Hours of Daytona. I would have to disagree though and would say she’s better known for her boobs or big mouth. 
