FREE PRESS SSSPORTSPORTS Page 10 Colby Free Press Wednesday, November 22, 2006 2006 a time of change for NASCAR CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — improve safety. When the open-wheelers get Jimmie Johnson opened and closed Fans will become acquainted comfortable, they might find them- the 2006 season on top, for very dif- with Toyota and the CoT next year selves battling with former series ferent reasons. on ESPN, which will replace NBC. champion Tony Stewart. The year began with the contro- Toyota started the biggest The two-time champ had a truly versial suspension of his crew chief, domino effect as it worked hard to bizarre season as he struggled with who was caught cheating before the land the top talent in NASCAR: The his role as a garage leader, slumped Daytona 500 and kicked out of the garage was consumed for months on the race track and missed the garage for four weeks. It ended with with which drivers would sign with Chase for the championship. Johnson and Chad Knaus hoisting the automaker. Toyota had its sights It started at Daytona, when he the Nextel Cup trophy as the cham- set on Kevin Harvick or Matt publicly warned someone would be pionship winning team. Kenseth but got Dale Jarrett and killed because of the dangerous rac- It was a headlining year for Brian Vickers instead. ing conditions. That led NASCAR Johnson, but he hardly stole the Still, Harvick played the game to police aggressive driving, and show. and kept his options open — a Stewart was one of the first offend- NASCAR’s 2006 season was hardline stance that forced car ers. Then he angrily backed away thick with story lines, subplots and owner Richard Childress to pull his from commenting further on the is- drama that didn’t involve Johnson once-proud team from the back of sue. at all. the field to the front of the pack. Unable to defend his Nextel Cup There was NASCAR’s intense When Harvick realized RCR was a title, he spent the final 10 weeks of focus on the future, two elite teams competitor again, he re-signed and the season focusing on himself. moving in opposite directions and had the best season of his career. Harvick and Burton stepped in the defending Nextel Cup cham- With five Cup wins, nine Busch for RCR, and rookie Denny Hamlin pion embarking on his own victories and that series title, as well surprised many by racing his way to rollercoaster season. as a spot in the Chase for the cham- a third-place finish in the points. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gor- pionship, Harvick helped RCR be- “This has definitely been a year don both returned to the top of the come a major player again. But he that exceeded every expectation,” sport — with Gordon making a pit received help from teammate Jeff Hamlin said, speaking for almost stop to get married along the way — Burton, who resuscitated his career everyone. while a handful of former contend- by ending a five-year winless ers dropped to the back of the field. drought and making a major play But the main theme of the season for the Nextel Cup title. Attention was change as everyone spent most With Harvick off the free-agent COLBY FREE PRESS FILE PHOTO of the year preparing for what’s to market, 1999 Cup champion Jarrett Landowners Colby Trojan coach Tom Stephens, left, demonstrates some techniques to players during a re- come in 2007: A foreign automaker, became a viable option for Toyota, cent practice. Colby won its first game of the year Saturday 72-54 over Dawson (Mont.) Com- a Colombian driver, a futuristic car sending RYR into a free-fall that Those of you that allow munity College at Casper, Wyo. Three Trojans scored in double figures. Jamie Schroeder led and a new television network. threatened the team’s survival. hunting on your land; it Colby with 21 points from 11-21 shooting. Schroeder also had 10 rebounds. Vanja Zelenovic NASCAR chairman Brian Jarrett opted out of the No. 88 could pay you to call scored 15 points. Sandra Sormaz had 12 points. Colby (1-8) plays Cowley County Dec. 2 in France is confident the new look Ford to drive a Camry for Michael Coffeyville. The Trojan men (3-5) play Salt Lake City Community College Friday at Eastern Wyo- can jump-start a sport that seem- Waltrip Racing, and sponsor UPS Colby Super 8 ming. ingly has stalled after a decade in the went with him. Then Elliott Sadler Motel fast lane. asked out of his seat, leaving RYR “It’s an awful lot of change, but down two drivers, two crew chiefs For details ask for it’s going to be good change,” and a sponsor. Vel France said before Sunday’s season Yates heads into the offseason 785-462-8248 Jayhawks overpower Tennessee finale. “A lot of exciting things for still trying to save his flagship No. the fans and the drivers and every- 88. So far, he has only David LAWRENCE (AP) — Five play- said. “The second half, I think we aging 20, picked up three quick one else to look forward to. I love Gilliland — the unproven driver ers produced nearly all the points got kind of bored.” fouls in the first half and sat out where we’re at, and we’re excited who shot to stardom with a freak for Kansas. One big man created Clarence Matthews made a field much of the game. about where we’re going.” Busch win in June — holding his most of the excitement. goal for Tennessee State (0-2) with The Jayhawks, who dropped It all started with Toyota, which operation together. brought a huge roar about 6:30 left in the first half, but seven spots from No. 3 after their said in January it would enter from the Allen Fieldhouse crowd the Tigers didn’t score again until upset loss last week to Oral Roberts, Camrys in the Nextel Cup Series in when the 6-foot-11 came into his three-point play 33 seconds into shot 52 percent, held a 46-32 re- 2007. The announcement coincided an 89-54 rout of Tennessee State the second half. bound advantage and kept dazzling with NASCAR’s decision to phase midway through the first half Tues- “They go 100 mph the entire the visitors with one athletic play in its custom-designed “Car of To- day night, much sooner than anyone game, so we just needed to run and after another as the lead climbed morrow,” which will debut next had hoped 22 days earlier when he run and run,” Matthews said. “They into the 30s. season and is meant to cut costs and partially tore a tendon in his right ran their game and that’s what they knee. do. They are a fast-paced team.” A physical, intimidating pres- Matthews, the Ohio Valley Northwest Kansas Technical College is seeking comments ence inside, Kaun will be key to any Conference’s leading rebounder chance the 10th-ranked Jayhawks last year, had 18 points and six re- from the public about the college in preparation for its (3-1) have of meeting their lofty bounds before fouling out with 1:33 accreditation evaluation by its regional accrediting agency. long-term goals this season. to play. The college will host an evaluation team, representing The “We’ve been talking about lead- “It’s no embarrassment to lose to Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association ers. That may be the guy,” coach Kansas,” Tennessee State coach Cy of Colleges and Schools, on its campus on February 12-14, said. “He certainly has Alexander said. “Kansas is a top changed the mind-set of our team in five team in the country, talent- 2007. This team will review the institution’s ability to meet the the locker room with the excitement wise, and as they continue to play, Commission’s Criteria for Accreditation. The public is invited of his being out there. Even yester- they are going to be one of the top to submit comments regarding the college to: day in practice, he was going to hit teams in the country.” you and foul you, and that’s some- The popular Kaun triggered a Public Comment on Northwest Kansas Technical College thing we just haven’t had.” roar when he put up his first shot and Kaun played 9 minutes and it bounced around the rim a few The Higher Learning Commission As we approach the holidays, scored seven points. Freshman times before dropping in. He then 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400 guard had 19 hit a for a three-point Chicago IL 60602-2504 we invite you to experience the season in Colby! points, and added 14 play and a 33-15 Jayhawks lead. Shop * Eat * Relax points and 10 rebounds in the sec- “He came back yesterday and Comments must address substantive matters related to the ond-round game of the Las Vegas changed the whole practice by Thank you for Invitational. blocking shots, ducking in hard, quality of the institution or its academic programs. Comments must be in writing and signed, and include the name, address shopping in Colby. “It was great to get back out there going to the rim whenever possible One common thread keeping with the guys,” Kaun said. “It was and just making great plays,” Rush and telephone numbers of the person providing the We’re working hard to earn the community together... very nice to be back playing in Allen said. comments. The Commission cannot guarantee that your trust. Fieldhouse in front of the fans.” It was the second game in a row a comments received after the due date will be considered. The knee, he said, “is sore, but the freshman led the talented Jayhawks Comments will not be treated as confidential. All comments Paid for by the pain isn’t like it was before.” in scoring. Arthur, the 6-9 center Colby Promotion Committee In their best 20 minutes so far this who had 26 points two days earlier must be received by January 12, 2007. season, the Jayhawks raced to a 50- against Towson State and was aver- 19 halftime lead, outscoring the Ti- gers 23-5 during one stretch. Julian Wright had 14 points while Darnell Jackson scored 11 and freshman 10.

“The first half was terrific,” Self ®

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