NASCAR Still Looking For Second Black Champion

                   
In 1964 Wendell Smith became the first African American to win a race in what is now the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, which is stock car racing’s major leagues. The race took place at Jacksonville’s Speedway Park.
Smith ran 495 big league races over 13 years with 147 top 10 finishes and the one win. His last race was in 1973. If one considers winning the primary measure of success in big time professional sports, there have been no successful Black NASCAR drivers since Smith stopped racing.
NASCAR is trying to address this with its Drive for Diversity (D4D) program, which Regal Magazine covered twice in 2009. The Orlando Sentinel says the NASCAR diversity program is making progress.
According to a Feb. 18 story, NASCAR officials started Drive for Diversity programs eight years ago to develop promising Black NASCAR drivers.
Talent from other racing series, such as Danica Patrick, who juggles her time between Indy Car and stock-car races, and Colombian-born Juan Pablo Montoya, who drove in Formula1, have crossed over.
Bringing new Black NASCAR drivers up the ranks has been the bigger challenge.
Though no one in the diversity program has made that breakthrough into NASCAR's lead racing series, this year's team offers some of the best prospects, said Max Siegel, CEO of Revolution Racing. As former president of Dale Earnhardt Inc., he is one of the highest-ranking African American executives in the sport's history.
"We've had tremendous success on the racetrack with our drivers," he said. "We had a rookie of the year. We had a bunch of firsts. "We're celebrating those successes and getting attention from pacesetters."
Siegel revamped the NASCAR diversity program in the past year and set up an academy-style system in which recruits learn more than driving. They build up their physical fitness and work on their own cars, while competing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East, a triple-A level of racing.
Still, there has been no breakthrough into Sprint Cup Series success for Black NASCAR drivers. “You win races and then hopefully, you can catch that break with the right sponsor to help you get to the next level," said African American driver Ryan Gifford, 21, of Winchester, Tenn. "It's just a matter of time and timing."
Gaining sponsorships is a significant issue. By itself, a car can cost $250,000. Supporting a team and travel can run into the tens of millions. A major sponsor can pay $20 million to put its name on a prime spot on the car. Owners and sponsors want a return on that investment, which means seasoned drivers with a track record or a pedigree have a significant advantage, as well known drivers can command higher sponsorship fees.
Still, there has been progress for Black NASCAR drivers in the D4D program.
Michael Cherry, 21, from the Tampa area, won a race at the Tri County Motor Speedway in Hudson, N.C., becoming the first African American winner at that small track, a venue similar to AA or AAA in minor league baseball.
"Keeping your name out there, winning is the number one priority, but they're giving us a great opportunity to race," Cherry said to the Sentinel. "Soon, maybe as soon as two years, you'll see one of us at the top. It might even be me."
Several factors are working in D4D’s favor: the desire to increase interest in NASCAR from non-traditional markets to increase attendance and ratings; the need to augment the pool of drivers in a sport with significant turnover; and the understanding that it does NASCAR no good to be seen as the province of southern good old boys taking care of their own. Big time teams which understand marketing and have the resources to think about the future, like Penske Racing, Kyle Busch Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing, are participating in D4D.
Bottom line: it should not be more difficult to have successful Black NASCAR drivers than it is to have an African American in the White House.
         
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List of Best Football Stadiums in America

 

Watching a live football match definitely gives a different experience than watching it on television. There are many huge and beautiful football stadiums in America. The upcoming article gives a list of best football stadiums in America.

In America, football is the second religion for many people and stadiums where the game is played are like the Duomos (The principal Christian church building of a bishop's diocese). The view of the field is 3D as opposed to the view on television. The experience of watching a football match sitting in the stadium is extra-ordinary because of the excited crowd and their exciting support. The enthusiasm among the fans almost touches the sky filling the stadium with a roar. The cheering and booing of the fans keep boosting the spirit of players as well as make them feel the pressure of do or die situation on field.

            Top Football Stadiums in America

Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor
It is the largest and one of the best stadiums in America. The stadium was inaugurated on 1st of October, 1927 and the opening game was played between UM (University of Michigan) and Ohio. Nearly, 21 acres of land was donated to the University by the Detroit native Dexter M. Ferry in 1902. After donation, the land was united comprising an athletics campus of the Michigan University. In return of the donation the entire complex was renamed as Ferry Field. The stadium could not accommodate a large number of fans hence, the need was felt to expand the stadium. A new complex was built closer to the site where the Michigan outdoor track lies. Though the new complex was constructed under the same name, Ferry Field was much more different from the older field. The older complex allotted the field for baseball, football and athletics whereas the new Ferry Field had grass that was exclusively used for football. Michigan had constructed separate practice fields so that Ferry Field was used only on game days.

Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin
It was opened in September 29, 1957. It is nicknamed as "The Frozen Tundra" as when the temperature falls extremely low, it freezes the field. The most famous game played in this stadium was the 1967 "Ice Bowl" when the temperatures dropped below -25 degrees. City of Green Bay and Green Bay/brown County Professional Football Stadium District owns the stadium and the operator of the stadium is Green Bay Packers. One of the unique things of this stadium is the "Lambeau Leap", where the packer players jump into the end zone stands as celebration. The Lambeau Leap was invented by LeRoy Butler in December 1993 which was later popularized by Robert Brooks. Another star feature of the stadium is its music. Lumberjack band played at the stadium. The live band was then replaced by recorded music. "Go! You Packers! Go!" was the theme song of the team. It was played immediately after the introduction of the packer players.

Memorial Stadium, Nebraska
In the year 1922, funds of around $430,000 were collected to build a new football stadium, by the faculty, students, and well wishers of the Nebraska University. The stadium is located on the campus of the university of Nebraska and has around 83,000 seating capacity. The name Memorial Stadium is given in the honor of all the Nebraskans who fought in the Civil and Spanish-American wars and 751 Nebraskans who died in the first World War. One interesting thing to know about the stadium is that the stadium is referred to as the "Sea of Red" because of the red apparel of the fans.

Neyland Stadium in Knoxville
It is one of the top college football stadiums belonging to the University of Tennessee. The stadium was built in the year 1921 and the owner of the stadium is the State of Tennessee. It is the 3rd largest stadium in the country with the capacity of around 102,000 seats. The Tennessee river flows close to the stadium which adds to the scenic look of the stadium. The stadium offers you an awesome view of the "sea of orange" because of the two tiers wrapped around with no openings. There is a tradition associated with the stadium. The band and the fans together form a walk way for the players through which they enter the stadium. It is called the Vol walk and it happens a few hours before the game. The band plays Rocky Top, loud and proud with the fans singing along.

Sanford Stadium, Georgia
The stadium is named after Dr. Steadman Vincent Sanford who was considered to be the early force behind UGA (University of Georgia Athletes). It is the fifth largest stadium in the country. The stadium saw its first game on October 12, 1929. The highlight of the stadium is the theft happened at the stadium. Three hall of fame certificates including photographs were stolen from the stadium. The certificates belonged to the three Bulldog legends, Herschel Walker, Fran Tarkenton and Vince Dooley.

Since it is impossible to talk about each and every important stadium in detail, here is a list of all other major stadiums apart from those mentioned above:

• Jordan Stadium, Alabama
• Kyle Field, Texas
• Rose Bowl, California
• Tiger Stadium, Louisiana
• Beaver Stadium, Pennsylvania
• Ohio Stadium, Ohio
• Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Florida
• Darell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Texas
• Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
• FedEx Field, Maryland

All the stadiums mentioned above are not only popular in America but also around the world. If you still have not watched a match in any of these stadiums, you have missed a worthy event. If you are a true football fan, go get yourself an opportunity to enjoy the exciting atmosphere on these stadiums. 

                  By/ Snehal Motkar
      


           http://www.buzzle.com/articles/list-of-best-football-stadiums-in-america.html
 

                           

          History of Chicago Bulls
 

The history of the Chicago Bulls goes back to the Chicago Stags (Bucks), one of 11 teams in the American Basketball Association (BAA, Basketball Association of America), one of the Predecessors of the NBA league. In 1949-50, and in the NBA, the Stags decided not to continue in the league.

After Several years of absence from professional basketball in 1961-1962 created the Chicago Packers, But after two seasons of failed Decided to change last name and move to historical another city, like Baltimore Zephyrs (Which would be the ancestors of the Washington Wizards) .

In 1966-1967, the city Creates a new basketball team to Represent Them and get future sporting success. So the Chicago Bulls are born, Whose name Referred to the power and strength of a city based Whose Was The meat packing. Were Considered other names like Matadors or Toreadors, But Were discarded by Shorter, as are other city teams (Bears, Cubs).

Arrival of Jordan

After years fighting in the mediocrity of the table, the fate of the team changed Windy City in 1984, When They get the third draft pick and choose the Promising star of the University of North Carolina, Michael Jordan. After an amazing debut year, Jordan Became one of the stars of the league and Chicago Began to form a competitive team around him. In 1987, the Bulls made a major change with your choice of getting the draft forward Scottie Pippen.

After years of adaptation, Jordan and Pippen marked with Before and After in the league, Being Considered one of the Most Successful duos in basketball history (they are the only two players who've Been to all the titles That got the Bulls).

With Jordan as a leader, the Bulls During The Decade of the 90s managed to break Many brands on the NBA's best record in the history of the league's best record in away games, the more local unbeaten streak, best start to season six NBA championships in8 years, Including Some Achievements, Considered one of the biggest teams in league history.

Following the "Step Jordan" (completed after second historical retirement in 1999), Chicago has never again be a team leader in the NBA, Reaching the postseason in only 6 of the next 12 years, and can get past the first round in just a chance.

In 2009, the Bulls get the first pick Suddenly in the draft at a rate of 1.37% to take it. The team selected point guard Derrick Rose, a player Known For His speed and offensive power, skills earned him That Rookie of the Year award and Became the new darling of the city of Chicago.

The 2010-2011 season, Means to bid for the Bulls. After Trying to keep the services of Any of the three major players ending contract (Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and LeBron James), Chicago Decided to Complement the young core team Consisting of Derrick Rose, Luol Deng and Joakim Noah forward post, With That players fill the gaps of equipment Such as power forward Carlos Boozer, Which would Provide domestic game and rebounds, and guard Kyle Korver triplero.  


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