Allgemein » e. Some of the sports stories The Asso

LONG POND, Pa. -- Tony Kanaan holds IndyCars version of the golden ticket. Hes driving for more than another win at Pocono Raceway -- hed move one victory closer toward earning $1 million dollars. All Kanaan has to is win at Pocono and Fontana to become the open-wheel series Triple Crown winner. He won the first leg when he broke through for his first Indianapolis 500 victory in May. Oh, he took home $2,353,500 for winning Indy. Still, a million bucks for winning three races isnt too shabby, either. "A million dollars is always welcome, I have to say," a laughing Kanaan said. "Im really not thinking about the million dollars. Im thinking, lets go one at a time. If I win here, Im getting closer, but its not guaranteed yet." No, Kanaan didnt put his pinkie against his lips like Dr. Evil when talking about the potential $1 million payday. But hes the only driver eligible for the Triple Crown title and the prize money that goes with the feat. So he may as well go ahead and win Sundays 400-mile race at Pocono. "Well try and take the opportunity," he said. While $1 million doesnt seem like much in a sports world where top athletes command $20 million in salary, IndyCar offers meagre purses and Kanaan has won only $55,000 this season. Thats a few free throws for LeBron James. A driver who wins two of the three can win a $250,000 bonus from promotion sponsor Fuzzys Vodka. IndyCar ran a Triple Crown at Indianapolis, Pocono and Ontario from 1971-1980 and from 1981-1989 at Indy, Pocono and Michigan. Only Al Unser won all three races in a single season, in 1978. "Winning them all was a great gift," Unser said. "We thought we accomplished the world when we won all three." Unser won four 500-mile races in a row with an Ontario victory in 1977 and wins in 1978 at Indy, Pocono and Ontario. Unser drove for Parnelli Jones in 1977 and Jim Hall in 1978. Hes rooting for Kanaan to match his feat, just like he pulled for him to at long last win at Indy. "I think Tonys a good racer," Unser said. "Im an old-timer and I thought he was going to be another Lloyd Ruby and just keep racing and racing at Indy and never get to drink the milk or get his photo with the Borg-Warner trophy in Victory Lane. He knew the Speedway didnt owe him anything like the announcers said it did. He won based on his talent, his racing skills and the teams hard work." Kanaan, along with just about every series driver, is racing for the first time at Pocono. The track returned to the IndyCar Series schedule after a 24-year absence and most drivers participated in just a few test sessions. Theyll qualify Saturday. Kanaan, fifth in the points standings, may not win but hell be there at the start. Thats one guarantee that few other series drivers can boast. Kanaan is set for his 207th consecutive open-wheel start Sunday, four shy of our of Jimmy Vassers record. Kanaan now drives for Vasser. "Jimmy really doesnt want me to beat him," Kanaan said, laughing. "Hes my boss. He can take me out of the car any time he wants. Im trying to be nice to him." Vasser said the streak might be over if not for his well-timed "Look out!" when a distracted Kanaan almost drove over a piece of equipment after the recent Milwaukee race. "I could have kept my record," a laughing Vasser said. Kanaan, the popular Brazilian, has 16 career wins since his 1998 debut. "Im still going, thats what matters," he said. "You dont hang on for this long just because youre lucky. I think its proof I still can do the job. I try not to think too much." Vasser won his own $1 million paydays over his career and knows Kanaan is capable pulling of the triple sweep. "We need to get off the horse and win a few," Vasser said. "The Triple Crown is nice, but weve got to get back into the championship fight." Kanaan and Vasser have been friends since the late 90s. Vasser said "Weve had our disagreements," but the two have a solid working relationship that he hoped would continue beyond this year. Kanaans deal is up at the end of the season, and ideally hed return with Vasser to defend at Indy. Kanaan ended 12 years of frustration when he finally won in May, thousands of fans screaming, "TK! TK! TK!" on that long, final lap. The glow from that milestone win still hasnt faded. "I hope it goes on forever," Vasser said. "Theres the baby Borg, the rings, his face on the ticket. Theres still a lot to come. Champions, forever." Adidas Ultra Boost Clearance . The Lightning are 2-0 so far on a four-game road trip, giving the club five straight wins as the guest and improving Tampas away record this season to 11-8-2. Adidas Ultra Boost Discount . Jane Virtanen scored two, and Alex Roach and Elliott Peterson rounded out the offence for the Hitmen (40-15-6). Brady Brassart chipped in with three assists. Colton McCarthy scored twice, Brayden Point had a goal and two assists, and Jack Rodewald also scored for the Warriors (15-35-9), who were 2 for 5 on the power play. http://www.cheapauthenticultraboost.com/ . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Adidas Ultra Boost Sale . Giroud, who wasnt in the starting lineup for two matches after allegations about his private life and a decline in form, scored twice in the first half. Tomas Rosickys chip made it 3-0 before half time at Emirates Stadium, while defender Laurent Koscielny scored an unmarked header in the second half. Cheap Authentic Ultra Boost . - Oakland Raiders running back Rashad Jennings was speaking to a group of local high school students earlier this week when the conversation turned to the importance of being prepared when opportunities in life arise. Some of the sports stories The Associated Press is covering Saturday. A full Sports Digest will be sent by about 3 p.m. All times EST:- Three notable Top 25 college football games: No. 8 Oklahoma at No. 10 West Virginia (8 p.m.); No. 21 Florida at No. 16 LSU (1 p.m.); and No. 20 Washington State at No. 12 Colorado (3:30 p.m.).- HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Jimmie Johnson has a chance to win a record-tying seventh championship Sunday, a milestone reached only by Hall of Famers Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty.- The Miami Dolphins have climbed back into the AFC wild-card race. On Sunday, they are the first opponent for Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jared Goff, the top overall pick in Aprils draft.- UNCASVILLE, Conn. -- No. 1 Duke, coming off loss to Kansas, plays Penn State in the Hall of Fame Tip Off Tournament (12:30 p.m.). No. 21 Rhode Island faces No. 24 Cincinnati (3:30 p.m.).- LONDON -- Top-ranked Andy Murray plays Milos Raonic, and Novak Djokovic faces Kei Nishikori in the semifinals of the ATP finals. If Murray and Djokovic win, theyll meet in a showdowwn for both the title and the year-end No.dddddddddddd 1 ranking.- MOSCOW -- Vladimir Putins anti-doping troubleshooter insists Russias problems in this regard are nothing more than a glitch. Vitaly Smirnov, 81, has come out of retirement to play down accusations of state-sponsored cheating.- ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. -- Canadian rookie Mackenzie Hughes has a two-shot lead over fellow rookie C.T. Pan going into the third round of the RSM Classic.- NAPLES, Fla. -- Needing to win to take the player of the year award, Lydia Ko takes a three-stroke lead into the third round of the LPGA Tours season-ending CME Group Tour Championship.- MANCHESTER, England -- Arsenal, on Olivier Girouds 89th-minute goal, draws 1-1 against Manchester United in a game between Premier League rivals and heavyweights.- MADRID -- Spanish league leader Real Madrid tries to end a six-game winless streak against Atletico Madrid in this great city rivalry. cheap falcons jerseys cheap ravens jerseys cheap bills jerseys cheap bears jerseys cheap bengals jerseys cheap cowboys jerseys cheap lions jerseys cheap texans jerseys cheap colts jerseys cheap jaguars jerseys cheap chiefs jerseys cheap rams jerseys cheap dolphins jerseys cheap vikings jerseys cheap saints jerseys cheap giants jerseys cheap jets jerseys cheap eagles jerseys cheap steelers jerseys cheap 49ers jerseys ' ' '