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Next stop on the Nextel Cup Schedule is Chicagoland Speedway

Next week, the NASCAR Nextel Cup teams head will bring their tornado like speeds to the windy city of Chicago. Chicagoland Speedway is a young NASCAR track still coming into its own. NASCAR has been hosting Nextel Cup races at Chicagoland since 2001 with the hopes of capitalizing on the die-hard auto racing fans of the Midwest in the 3rd largest media market in the US. So far, the initial gamble has paid of.

Of all current drivers with 4 or more career starts at Chicagoland, Jimmie Johnson (average finish of 3rd) leads the pack.

Also expect the following drivers to do well next week:

Other drivers to note:

Kyle Busch - Average Finish 8th
Kevin Harvick - Average Finish 9th
Jeff Gordon - Average Finish 10th
Brian Vickers - Average Finish 10th

Next Week's Schedule (all times Central):

Nextel Cup: @ Chicagoland Speedway
7/13/07 - 03:10pm NASCAR Nextel Cup USG SHEETROCK 400 Qualifying
7/14/07 - 12:20pm NASCAR Nextel Cup USG SHEETROCK 400 Practice
7/15/07 - 03:00pm NASCAR Nextel USG SHEETROCK 400

Busch Series: @ Chicagoland Speedway
7/13/07 - 04:45pm NASCAR Busch Series USG DUROCK 300 Practice
7/14/07 - 10:05am NASCAR Busch Series USG DUROCK 300 Qualifying
7/14/07 - 02:00pm NASCAR Busch Series USG DUROCK 300

Craftsman Truck Series: @ Kentucky Speedway
7/13/07 - 06:30pm NASCAR Busch Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series "Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers" Practice
7/14/07 - 04:00pm NASCAR Busch Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series "Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers" Qualifying
7/14/07 - 07:30pm NASCAR Busch Series NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series "Built Ford Tough 225 Presented by Greater Cincinnati Ford Dealers"

Jamie McMurray Captures First Cup Win in 166 Races

The ending to Saturday night's Pepsi 400 was nothing short of spectacular. With numerous lead changes over the final 10 laps of the race, it was only fitting that the race was decided by .005 seconds. .005 seconds in the NASCAR world translates to approximately 15 inches, and made the Pepsi 400 the second closest finish since NASCAR began electronic scoring in 1993. In those final seconds of the race, Jamie McMurray, with teammate Carl Edwards pushing, was able to edge out 15 inches in front of Kyle Busch to capture his first win at Daytona and only his second in Nextel Cup.

Despite having one of the strongest cars in the field, Jamie McMurray's win did not come easily. After being penalized on lap 31 for passing the leader Jeff Gordon below the yellow line, McMurray found himself at the rear of the pack. However, by lap 123 Jamie had worked his way back up into the top 10.

Speaking emotionally after the win, "Every driver out here that goes through that (a lengthy winless streak) knows how special this is. I started crying. I'm Like, 'What are you crying for?' You're happy, celebrating, happy for all the guys." If McMurray can Continue to excel in the 2nd half the season, this season my turn to be an emotional one as well. Jamie currently sits 50 points out of the 12th and final Qualifying spot for the Chase for the Championship.

No Love for Kyle Busch

While it's common knowledge that Kyle Busch is not the most beloved driver for NASCAR fans, it wasn't apparent until last night that Kyle receives no love from his teammates as well. After Hendrick Motorsports announced the release of Kyle Busch after the 2007 season in order to make way for Dale Earnhardt Jr in 2008, Kyle has complained of not receiving respect from his Hendrick teammates.

While I've grown deaf to the Busch brothers' complaints over the years, I admit that after watching the Pepsi 400, Kyle may vary well have a point. For much of the race, Kyle had the dominant car. However, a dominant car at Daytona, or Talladega for that matter, does not win you a race. Teammates win you races (just ask Jamie McMurray who was pushed to the checkered flag by Carl Edwards). Had Jeff Gordon actually jumped down to the bottom groove in the closing laps to push Kyle when he had the chance, Kyle would have won.

To date, no announcements have been made for Kyle regarding where he will race in 2008. Is there a team out there that can give Kyle the love he needs? Make no doubt about it, Kyle is a talent to be reckoned with. However, it seems the kid from Las Vegas needs time to mature emotionally before his current or future teammates fully embrace him.

Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway Recap

This year's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway was a lesson on how good life is when you work well with your teammates and how things can quickly fall apart when you don't. Just ask teammates Jamie McMurray and Carl Edwards who worked together at the end to finish in 1st and 4th respectively. Or, you can ask teammates Tony Stewart and Denny Hamlin who worked against each other while battling for the lead early in the race and finished 38th and 43rd respectively.

While both Tony and Denny are practically locked into the Chase for the Championship (Denny currently sits in 2nd while Tony is in 7th) and were not seriously affected by their lack of cooperation, both Carl Edwards and Jamie McMurray had more to gain by cooperating. By winning the race, Jamie now sits 13th in points with only 50 points separating him from the 12th and final qualifying position for the Chase for the Championship. It only helps Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth to have one more teammate qualified for the Chase.

Other drivers to note:

Dale Earnhardt Jr suffered major setbacks in the Pepsi 400. Once considered a ringer at restrictor plate races, Jr has since fallen from glory. After getting caught up in an early race wreck, Jr was never able to fully recover and finished in 36th. Jr now sits 12th in points with only 50 points separating him from 13th.

Tony Stewart was smoking his wheels at the Pepsi 400. Too bad it wasn't at the end of the race, however. Smoke found himself tangled up with teammate Denny Hamlin early in the race and finished in 38th position.

Jeff Gordon looked poised to gain yet another win in 2007 Saturday night. However, lacking a teammate in the end to push him to the front, Gordon finished in 5th. Jeff is still comfortably in 1st place in points.

Jimmie Johnson looked as strong as any other Hendrick car in the Pepsi 400. The reigning champ found himself mired back in the front unable to mount a charge to the front at the end of the race. Johnson finished in 10th place and now sits 4th in points.

Article is provided by http://everythingstockcar.com/ which is owned and operated by Everything Sports, Inc.

I was fashionably late to tea this afternoon. Lucky for me, my fellow American in Paris understood the difficulties with transportation due to the student demonstrations in Paris on Thursday afternoon. I was relieved to find my guest for tea relaxing comfortably on the overstuffed chair with her sketch pad and pencils jotting last minute ideas following the meeting she had just had with a bride to be. This was not the first time either of us had enjoyed afternoon tea at the Bristol Hotel in Paris, but it was the first time we shared it together, but, I venture to say, probably not the last. Feeling a bit nervous by my tardiness, Ms. Marvin-Letourneux put me immediately at ease with a warm smile and greeted me with air kisses of friends rather than the hand shake of a first meeting.

I was surprised by her little pewter python bag. Yours? I was sure it must have been. No, no, not at all, it is something I picked up in Italy. She wore python shoes, presumably from the same maker, beige trousers, a brocade beige and cream jacket stopping just above the knee, a sheer floral blouse with tiger-eye buttons and a organza scarf around her neck not obscuring her signature pearls. She exuded refined elegance in her mlange of Givinchy, Valentino, and Giorgio Armani. I struggled to see one item with her label. She assured me the trousers were hers. Graceful flat front, side zips with covered buttons on the zipper flap. She looked elegant, relaxed and sophisticated.

Alexandra Lampert: You are very discrete about wearing your own creations?

Jennifer Marvin: No, no, I wear my own things, but I really appreciate the work of other designers, as well. I always think the total look is always a bit too much, so I like to mix it up. It seemed she would have rather spoken of the genius of Mr. de Givenchy or Valentino than of her own work. Their work is and was timeless and two of my greatest inspirations.

A.L: How did you initially get into the fashion industry?

J.M: I think it was just in my blood. Everyone in my family is creative. My father creates beautiful buildings, my mother stained glass, my oldest sister puppets

A.L. Puppets?

J.M Yes, my oldest sister makes black light stage puppets. Really great, I especially like her sheep.

A.L So you have been creating all of your life then?

J.M. Yes, forever. I was always doing something with my hands. Embroidery, beading, sewing, painting, drawingalways making something

A.L. How did you get from the ranch in Colorado to Paris, France?

J.M. You know, it is just how life went; I suppose it was just meant to be, I hadnt planned it that way. I find that if I go with the flow I just end up where I am supposed to be at the end.

A.L. So, you just sort of floated here?

J.M. Yes, I suppose you could say that.

A.L. What can we expect this coming autumn?

J.M I am very excited about the crocodile collection coming out under the label of Vivian Mendal. That will be available for the fall of 2006. The design process has been such a labor of love and everyone on the team is very passionate, creative, and genuine pleasure to work with. We have been having a great time designing it and putting it together, I can hardly wait to see the end result.

A.L. This is the first time you have designed an exotic collection, right?

J.M. Yes, this is the first time, and it has really engaged my passions. To begin with, Vivian and Mark Mendal are just the most genuinely delightful people you could ever meet. Secondly, the skins are such wonderful quality and Mark has developed such beautiful finishes and effects. The scales, textures and properties of the skins make the possibilities limitless. The pieces can be cut in different ways to produce various effects. Fortunately, we have access to the most beautiful skins and some of the finest artisans in Italy for this collection. It is really a very different niche than working with the leathers I had been used to working with. Fortunately, the traditional craftspeople in Italy were really open to working the skins in innovative and new ways while keeping the traditional techniques.

A.L.: What can we expect this fall as far as apparel goes?

J.M.: You know, I had really been concentrating on my leather goods, but have continued with some private collections. You know I never stop doing wedding gowns. I cant seem to give that up, I just love it so much. I am currently considering a new branding opportunity, but it is in the very, very beginning stages. I promise to keep you posted, Alexandra.

A.L.: You wont give us a little hint?

J.M.: Im sorry, I really cant at this stage. I can only tell you that it would be a very good fit with the leather goods projects I have been working on and it would be a reflection of my favorite styles, so it would be a great pleasure. But, we will seeI cant let you drag it out of me, you wouldnt want to jinx it, would you?

A.L.: Certainly not! Jennifer, thank you for your time. It has been a great pleasure getting to know you.

J.M.: Thank you, Alexandra; I was delighted to spend this chilly afternoon with tea getting to know you. I hope we can meet again without your little tape recorder to chat as friends.

A.L: The pleasure would be all mine.

Meeting Jennifer Marvin this way was a wonderful experience and I am looking forward to that private cup of tea becoming friends off the record.

Columnist Alexandra Lampert is a self-proclaimed practical-fashionista who shares her time between the worlds most intriguing cities but claims Paris as her home. alexandra_lampert@yahoo.com http://alexandralampert.blogspot.com/

There is no actual proof that dynamometer testing might damage the car in any certain way.

While performing tests, dynos dont interfere with the engines performance and more importantly, dont do any damage to it. Some of the things that may cause damage to engines are over-revving, excessive heating, shock loading or incorrect fuel or ignition settings. If however your engine malfunctions after performing a dynamometer test, its almost certain that the testing, if properly done, wasnt the cause of the damage.

It is more likely to damage your engine when you drive your car on the road than when you test it by the means of a dynamometer under controlled artificial conditions. You should always make sure that the dyno operator is a trained professional and that the dynamometer has an appropriate cooling system. A 60 centimeter diameter fan is appropriate for a power run. It will prevent the vehicle from overheating.

However, you should keep in mind that dynamometer testing and setting up race cars and bikes require more controlled testing conditions. A bike or car that heats up after a few hours testing suffers from heat soak into the transmission, bodywork, engine block, oil, and so on. This interferes with the amount of power produced, and influences the accuracy and the objectivity of the performance test.

To make sure everything will go smoothly while performing your tests on engines, you actually need a wind tunnel in which you should manipulate your dynamometer. When you are driving on the road at full power there is a lot of fresh air that surrounds and cools the entire vehicle, and you should do your best to recreate some of these natural conditions when you perform your tests.

If your dynamometer or the place you go to in order to get your car or bike dyno tested does not have suitable working conditions or lacks an appropriate cooling system, it is not advised to perform any tests. The problem concerning the damage done by dynamometers on the tires is more debatable. Tire manufacturers recommend dynamometer owners to replace tires after every test performed. They claim that the tires design is not intended for purposes like dynamometer testing and say that the heat or tire deformation could damage the interior structure. Due to these facts, they strongly recommend replacing the tires after testing.

However, this should be done more as a precaution, and if the tires are rather new, well designed dynamometers should not damage them. Just to make sure that everything is in order, remember to always check the tires condition after every test you perform.

This fine article is one of Groshan Fabiola's newest works. Also if you would like to find out full dynamometers or chassis dynamometers details please enter this web site.

Some general practitioners and many if not most oral surgeons have institutionalized overcharging by routinely classifying extractions as more complex than they actually are.

Many oral surgeons also administer a general anesthetic or I-V sedation as a matter of routine, often at a cost greater than the extraction, even though a local anesthetic injection, often referred to as a shot of novocaine, is adequate and safer.

Uninformed patients have no way of knowing if they are being overcharged, and most insurance companies and public agencies are indifferent to the abuse.

One study by a dental insurance administrator revealed that 62 percent of claim statements (bills) submitted for insurance payments by oral surgeons in California contained overcharges.

In nearly 50 percent of extractions, the oral surgeons claimed that the surgery to remove the teeth was more complex and should be paid at a higher fee than was justified by the actual procedure.

Analysis of bills submitted to Blue Shield of Pennsylvania, one of the largest insurance companies in the country, revealed the same overclassification and overcharging for extractions.

Although these studies were done a number of years ago, dental consultants reviewing billings, have observed the same pattern up to the present.

Four normally developing third molars.

If these four unerupted wisdom teeth are removed, and the two upper ones are charged as full bony impactions, even though they are simple soft tissue extractions, you or your insurance will be overcharged by as much as $350.

Most of these teeth will erupt normally, at which time the extraction, if needed, wouldor shouldbe charged as a routine, complicated procedure at a cost of approximately $90 each.

Extracting them prematurely with the additional expense of general anesthesia at $175 or more means that the overcharge is even greater than described.

By any standard other than the profession's and the insurance companies' acquiescence, this type of institutionalized overcharging would be classified as fraud.

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