Major schedule changes have come, but does there need to be more

Autoracing Betting Lines

08/10/2010 - Sparta, KY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - With the 2011 schedule for all three of its national touring series expected to be released within the next couple of weeks, NASCAR is making some significant revisions to its Sprint Cup schedule, in hopes of generating more fan interest, as well as improving sluggish track attendance and television ratings.

During a news conference last month at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, NASCAR chairman and chief executive officer Brian France said, "We'll have some pretty impactful changes to the schedule that I think will be good for NASCAR fans."

We're now getting a glimpse of NASCAR's schedule modifications for next year, as several racetracks already have announced their plans for the upcoming season.

Last week, Atlanta Motor Speedway revealed it will give up one of its two Cup dates in 2011. Speedway Motorsports Inc. will move its Atlanta spring race to Kentucky Speedway. NASCAR and Kentucky track officials confirmed on Tuesday that the 1.5-mile oval, located roughly 40 miles south of downtown Cincinnati, will host its long-awaited first Cup race -- 400 miles in length -- on July 9.

"I always hate to see a racetrack lose a date, because I know there's a lot of fans that do make both of those races and love that race track and love the area where the race track is," NASCAR veteran driver Jeff Burton said. "At the same time, it's capitalism. If there's another venue where more people can come in and more people can enjoy it, then that's where you can expect the show to be going."

Also on Tuesday, Kansas Speedway announced it will receive a second Cup date, while Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, CA will lose one of its two races, starting next year. International Speedway Corp., the parent company of both tracks, recently requested the transfer of California's fall event to Kansas. NASCAR approved the realignment, with Kansas hosting it races on June 5 and October 9 -- the fourth event in the 2011 Championship chase.

Phoenix International Raceway, also an ISC property, will move its April race to February 27, the week after the Daytona 500. California previously followed the Daytona 500, but next year, the two-mile track will move to a better- suited date of March 27.

Officials from NASCAR and Chicagoland Speedway said on Monday that Chicagoland will kick off next year's Chase, replacing New Hampshire Motor Speedway as the opening playoff race. New Hampshire and Dover International Speedway likely will follow Chicago in the Chase.

Chicagoland beginning the Chase -- the final 10 races of the season -- probably is good for NASCAR, since the track is located in the country's third largest television market area. However, Chicago is a huge sports city, and several of its professional sports teams are in season, particularly the Chicago Bears from the NFL and the city's two MLB teams -- the Cubs and the White Sox. Chicagoland's September 18 race date might be a tough ticket to sell.

"I think it has everything to do with NASCAR trying to create the best product that they can, trying to be in front of the right audiences, the right time of the year for certain racetracks, so the stands are full, action-packed tracks for the Chase and so our television numbers are up," four-time defending Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson said.

The one thing I hoped would have happened or will happen in the future with the Cup schedule is a change in location for the season-ending race. Despite warm temperatures in South Florida in November, Homestead-Miami Speedway no longer seems appealing for the season-finale.

Move Homestead to earlier in the year, and place either Las Vegas Motor Speedway or one of Charlotte Motor Speedway's two dates to the last race of the season.

Why Las Vegas or Charlotte?

NASCAR's top series now holds its annual awards banquet in Las Vegas, so it would be convenient to place LVMS as the final stop on schedule.

As for Charlotte, let the season conclude in NASCAR's hub city. Then head to Vegas for the big party.

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Mayweather picked to beat De La Hoya
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA -- Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya and his rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. arrived at the MGM Grand here Wednesday amid the pomp and pandemonium befitting two of the biggest stars in the sport who are about to duke it out for the WBC super welterweight crown this Saturday (Sunday in Manila).

As of Wednesday, MySportsbook.com closed its book with Mayweather a favorite to defeat De La Hoya at -170 (a $100 bet wins $70), while De La Hoya is a +140 underdog (a $100 bet wins $140).

Mayweather arrived at about 11:30 a.m. on a big truck with his face and a big "World's Best Pound-for-Pound" sign scribbled across the vehicle. He was accompanied by his entourage made up of rappers and his training team.

A crowd of close to 3,000 eager fans packed the MGM Grand lobby, with their cameras in tow, all trying to vie for position to get a good angle at Mayweather, who is acknowledged as the world's best fighter pound-for-pound.

Eric Gomez, Golden Boy Promotions vice-president, described the fan turnout as "amazing" and swore he had never seen anything quite like this event.

"The crowd was fantastic. Everybody was just too eager to see the two fighters," said ALA manager Michael Aldeguer, who was among those who waited at the lobby together with his ward Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and AJ Banal.

De La Hoya made his own grand entrance at the hotel lobby at around 12:30 p.m. accompanied by GBP chief executive officer Richard Schaefer and trainer Freddie Roach.

The same group of fans who trooped to see Mayweather also lingered around to get a close look at De La Hoya, who has been secretly working out at a Las Vegas gym for days after arriving from his main training camp in Puerto Rico.

The golden boy then took part in a closed-door afternoon workout with Bautista and Banal. The two, along with Aldeguer and wife Christine, as well as an HBO crew were the only ones allowed inside the gym.

De La Hoya and Mayweather take part in today's final press conference before the official weigh-in this Friday.

Ring Magazine, the acknowledged bible of boxing, reported in its June 2007 issue that 12 out of 20 boxing experts it interviewed have favored Mayweather to defeat De la Hoya, with only 8 favoring the latter.

But Filipino ring icon Manny Pacquiao said in a recent interview with The Freeman's Emmanuel Villaruel that De La Hoya will win by unanimous decision over Mayweather.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your bet on boxing needs.

American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.