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10/17/2011 - Las Vegas, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dan Wheldon was hugely popular and greatly admired by his fans and fellow competitors around the auto racing world. His tragic death in a crash during Sunday's IndyCar race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway has the auto racing community in a deep state of mourning. Wheldon was an inspiration to all in the sport. He will be sorely missed.
In what was figured to be one of the most thrilling IZOD IndyCar Series races in memory suddenly turned into the racing circuit's darkest moment. Wheldon, 33, was involved in a horrific 15-car crash on lap 11 that sent his car sailing into catch fence along turn two before it erupted into flames.
Wheldon, driving the No.77 Sam Schmidt Motorsports car, had an opportunity to split a $5 million bonus with a fan if he would have won the scheduled 300- mile season-ending race at Las Vegas. The Englishman had to start from the rear of the record 34-car field due to the rules of bonus program.
The race was also to determine the series championship. Dario Franchitti came to Las Vegas with an 18-point lead over Will Power.
Instead, the race was called off and no championship celebration took place. Roughly two hours after the accident, IndyCar CEO Randy Bernard had the difficult task of announcing Wheldon's death.
IndyCar had not experienced a fatality at a track since Paul Dana was killed in a practice crash at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2006.
With heavy hearts, drivers later paid tribute to the fallen two-time Indianapolis 500 winner and 2005 IndyCar champion with a five-lap parade around the 1.5-mile track. As bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" during the tribute, a somber mood was felt along pit lane, the garage area and the grandstands.
Franchitti claimed his record third straight and fourth overall IndyCar title, but that didn't matter to him. Franchitti, who was Wheldon's teammate at Andretti-Green Racing (now known as Andretti Autosport) from 2003-05, sobbed heavily while sitting in his car just before partaking in the parade laps.
"I was driving around there on the parade lap we did, and I was thinking about Dan," Franchitti said. "I was thinking of all Dan's stories and just things that we did. In situations like this, I think obviously the sadness, I was thinking of some of the fun times we had. But really right now it's just sad. It's just really, really sad. It's the ugly, ugly side of our sport. You see it all."
Danica Patrick, who ended her full-time career in IndyCar, could not hide her emotions as well.
"We're all very sad, and he was a friend to all of us," she tearfully said. "He'll be missed, and I just feel for his family."
Wheldon is survived by his wife, Susie, and two sons, Sebastian and Oliver.
With Patrick moving over to NASCAR full-time in 2012, Wheldon was expected to replace her at Michael Andretti's team.
Wheldon was also scheduled to compete in next weekend's V8 Supercars event in Surfers Paradise, Australia. Tony Kanaan had planned on joining Wheldon for the race, but the Brazilian has since withdrawn. Kanaan and Wheldon were former teammates as well.
"He was one of my best friends and one of my greatest teammates back in the day," Kanaan said. "We race car drivers have to block this possibility, and unfortunately when it happens, it's really hard."
Wheldon pulled off a stunning upset in the May 29 Indy 500. His second win in IndyCar's most prestigious race of the year came at the expense of rookie J.R. Hildebrand, who crashed coming out of final turn of the last lap while leading. Wheldon made his first start of the season at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, driving an entry for Bryan Herta Autosport. His first Indy 500 victory came in '05, as he became the first driver from the United Kingdom to win it since Graham Hill did so in 1966.
"Everyone at Bryan Herta Autosport is reeling from the loss of our friend and teammate Dan Wheldon," team owner Bryan Herta said in a statement. "Dan was the glue that bound our little team together. It was his spark and belief in us that carried us all to victory lane at Indianapolis this year, and his legacy within the sport as a tremendous champion and competitor is unquestioned."
"But more than that, Dan became my little brother from our time together as teammates at AGR. I watched with pride as he developed from the brash young hotshot on the circuit to a man who was a great husband and father, ambassador, friend, champion and hero."
At the end of the 2010 season, Wheldon lost his ride with Panther Racing after spending two years with the team. Hildebrand replaced him in the Panther's No.4 car.
Wheldon had recently served as test driver for IndyCar's new Dallara chassis at IMS.
In preparation for Las Vegas, Schmidt placed Wheldon in the No.77 car, which is normally occupied by Alex Tagliani, for the October 2 race at Kentucky Speedway. Wheldon started 28th and finished 14th there.
Wheldon's IndyCar career began in 2002, running two races for Panther. He drove for Andretti Green Racing and then Chip Ganassi Racing before returning to Panther for the start of the 2009 season.
"We're all going to miss him. A little bit of everybody in IndyCar racing died today," Ganassi said during a press conference on Sunday at Las Vegas.
Condolences from members of the racing community worldwide have been pouring in, particularly Formula One and NASCAR.
Wheldon had explored his options in F1 and NASCAR after his '05 IndyCar championship season, but his future in either circuit did not come to fruition.
He competed against many of F1's current stars, including McLaren driver and 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton.
"Dan was a racer I'd followed throughout my career, as I often followed in his footsteps as we climbed the motorsports ladder in the UK," Hamilton said. "As a British guy, who not only went over to the [United] States but who twice won the Indy 500, he was an inspirational guy, and someone that every racing driver looked up to with respect and admiration."
Hamilton's teammate and 2009 F1 titleholder Jenson Button raced with Wheldon in Formula Ford and Formula Three.
"I have so many good memories of racing with Dan in the early 90's, a true fighter," Button noted.
Following Wheldon's death, NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France issued a statement.
"NASCAR offers its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of Dan Wheldon, his teammates, and the entire IndyCar Series community for their tragic loss [Sunday]," France said. "They will be in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."
Dale Earnhardt Jr. was one of many drivers who shared their memories of Wheldon.
"I had the pleasure of meeting Dan Wheldon at the National Guard Youth Challenge dinner about five years ago, and we crossed paths several times since then, mostly through our mutual partnership with the National Guard," Earnhardt said. "His success as a racer speaks for itself, but I will remember him as a true professional who was friendly, respectful, and genuine. On behalf of everyone at JR Motorsports, I send condolences to Dan's family, team, and friends in the racing community."
The 2012 IndyCar season is scheduled to begin on March 25 at St. Petersburg, FL, where Wheldon had resided.
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MySportsbook.com refunds all bets on Oakland, Green Bay and Tampa Bay from NFL week one.
(September 14) – Week one of NFL action saw three teams go scoreless for the first time since 1977. Another four were unable to get a touchdown and almost half of the underdogs covered the spread. Those three teams saved bettors at MySportsbook.com from losing out completely, thanks to the company’s unique NFL Shutout Rule -- which ensures that if the team you backed goes scoreless, your wager is refunded.
Sportsbook refunded tens of thousands of dollars to customers who bet on Oakland, Green Bay and Tampa Bay, the three teams that stunk up the field so badly that their fans and backers never had a chance to get up from their couches and cheer. In the spirit of the low scoring start to the season, odds makers at the world’s largest online sportsbook and casino have set odds on how many total shutouts there will be this season.
MySportsbook.com has posted updated sports betting lines for week two of the season. Ben Roethlisberger’s health status is still questionable, so Willie Parker will try to lead Pittsburgh again as they travel to Jacksonville as a one point favorite. After beating up on his little brother last week, Peyton Manning will look to lead the Colts to victory against Houston. Indianapolis is a whopping 13.5 favorite in the match-up.
Seattle, last year’s highest scoring team, showed the power of their defense with their gritty 9-6 win in Motown over the ravenous Lions. They take their act back home to the comforts of Qwest Field where they will face the resurgent Arizona Cardinals. The Seahawks are favored by a touchdown.
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Chicago, IL - New Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler and star linebacker Brian Urlacher shot down reports of a rift, saying they're simply not true.
"There's nothing between us," Cutler said Thursday, when he reported to training camp. "I just want to put that to rest. There never has been anything between us."
Urlacher added: "I never said what I was quoted as saying and that's it. I have a lot of respect for Jay. I think Jay knows that."
Former Bears receiver Bobby Wade caused a stir when he told Minneapolis radio station KFAN-AM that Urlacher used a profanity while questioning Cutler's manhood during a conversation in Las Vegas last weekend. Wade, who now plays for the Vikings, said Urlacher used a profane version of the word "wimp" during the interview that had to be edited out.
go radio station WSCR-AM also reported that Urlacher had to be restrained from confronting Cutler during organized team activities.
"I wouldn't go face-to-face with Brian, anyway," Cutler said. "No, that's never happened. I've hung out with Brian away from the facility numerous times and we've always gotten along."
Urlacher, noting he was limited by a groin injury, denied the reports in an interview with the Chicago Tribune and did it again when he reported to camp.
"I didn't practice this summer, so I don't know how I would fight the guy if I didn't practice," Urlacher said. "We have no problems. I'm excited about football starting. I'm excited to have him as our quarterback."
Why would Wade say that?
"I don't know," Urlacher said. "Maybe he's jealous because we have a good quarterback now."
Cutler said the first he heard of any friction was when he got a call from Urlacher to clear the air. Urlacher, however, said he had already taken several calls from teammates wondering if the reports were true when Cutler phoned.
"He called me and I said, What's up (expletive), what are you doing?'" a grinning Urlacher said, uttering the same word he allegedly used with Wade. "It's so dumb to me that this even got to this point, but it did and then here we are."
better place after going 9-7 and missing the playoffs for the second straight year. They have a franchise quarterback for the first time in decades after acquiring Cutler in an offseason trade with Denver. But there are questions about his attitude following a fallout with Broncos management and new coach Josh McDaniels.
His critics include former Bears coach Mike Ditka and former Indianapolis and Tampa Bay coach Tony Dungy, one of Smith's mentors. Smith, however, said Cutler has been a model teammate so far while denying any animosity with Urlacher.
"There's no issue with Jay and Brian, except Brian and Jay are both excited about being teammates for our club this year," coach Lovie Smith said. "No more than that. We can't spend a whole lot of time on something that isn't true. I have talked to the players. Whenever something comes out, you have to address it, but it's a non-issue."
In some ways, Cutler is getting a second chance in Chicago, an opportunity to repair his reputation.
Smith said another quarterback - Michael Vick - deserves one, although he doesn't see it happening with the Bears, who lack an experienced backup. The former Atlanta Falcons star, who served a 23-month sentence for running a dogfighting ring, said Thursday he is getting close to signing with a pro football team.
"A second chance, like everyone in society who has paid their debt to society," Smith said. "He deserves a second chance. As far as we're concerned, we like this team that we have right now."
Particularly the new quarterback.
"Me and Brian have been on a good relationship since I've been here, and I expect it to continue that way," Cutler said.
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