SPORTS
Friday, February 17, 2017
East Oregonian
Page 3B
NASCAR hopes for boost after big swings at spicing it up
By JENNA FRYER
Associated Press
DAYTONA
BEACH,
Fla. — NASCAR has a new
sponsor, a new format and
welcomes back its most
popular driver, all providing
optimism for a series eager to
halt a steady decline in atten-
dance, ratings and sponsorship.
Money is down across the
board and everyone is doing
more with less to try to save
a buck.
The on-track product for
the stock car series officially
reports for work Friday
at Daytona International
Speedway, which hosts the
Feb. 26 season-opening
“Great American Race.”
It will kick off a season of
hold-your-breath, we-really-
hope-this-works efforts by
NASCAR, the networks,
tracks, teams and drivers to
turn things around.
This season begins with
Monster Energy roaring into
its debut year as title sponsor
amid promised marketing to
millennials and the opportu-
nity to lure new eyeballs to a
sport with an aging audience.
Part of the new razzle-dazzle
approach is a wholesale
redesign of the definition of a
NASCAR race.
Remember
how
NASCAR just ran in circles
for 500 miles nearly every
Sunday for hours on end?
Well, this year it’s about
“enhanced competition” in
segments broken up over
three periods. Think of it like
innings in baseball or quar-
ters in football or basketball.
More accurately, the quick
first two segments are now
the appetizer to the longer
main event. In the meantime,
you get to go grab a beer
as the television networks
promise to use the breaks
between segments to dump
all the commercials.
Even better, you won’t
have to wait for Nation-
wide’s beloved “Water
Cooler Dale” commercial to
see NASCAR’s most popular
driver. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is
cleared for competition after
missing the second half of
last season with a concussion.
Earnhardt’s sidelining abso-
lutely cut into the audience,
and had to send shivers down
NASCAR’s spine over its
dwindling cast of superstars.
Jeff Gordon is in the TV
booth now, Tony Stewart
is retired. They had seven
championships
between
AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee, File
In this June 30, 2016, file photo, Dale Earnhardt Jr. ges-
tures as he speaks during a news conference before the
start of a NASCAR Sprint Cup auto racing practice at
Daytona International Speedway, in Daytona Beach, Fla.
them and NASCAR is
counting on Earnhardt to
bring his fan base back to the
track with him.
But even Dale is different!
He’s married, head-over-heels
in love and you can double-
click his Instagram account if
you like photos of a man who
has finally, in his 18th season,
settled into his skin and found
a peace that he is sharing with
the entire world.
“Getting married has been
incredible. I wish I would
have figured this all out
sooner,” he said. “I’m frus-
trated with myself that I took
so long to grow up because
I have an amazing wife and
she’s changed my life. She’s
really helped me as a person
to become better on all
fronts — personally, and all
my friendships with people
and how I react to people and
treat people. And, obviously,
in my professional life, she’s
helped me as a driver.”
He wants a family, wants
to be himself and wants to be
in that race car.
“I got real close to not
being able to compete and
it being someone else’s
decision whether I competed
or not,” Earnhardt said of
the long medical process to
restore his health. “I don’t
know when I’m going to stop
racing, but I want to able to
make that choice and not
have it made for me.”
NASCAR, though, must
prepare for live after Junior,
because Jimmie Johnson
— who just won his record-
tying seventh championship
then had Snoop Dogg play at
his party — and champions
Matt Kenseth, Kevin Harvick
and Kurt Busch aren’t getting
any younger.
NASCAR hopes it’s off
to a good start with Daniel
Suarez, the only non-Amer-
ican in the Monster Energy
Cup Series who has become
a sensation in his native
Mexico. Only he didn’t get
a promotion for becoming
the first foreign-born series
champion with an Xfinity
Series title last November. No,
the 25-year-old Suarez was
promoted when Carl Edwards
abruptly walked away.
That’s right, the guy who
came 10 laps away from
winning his first champion-
ship last November gave up
his seat at Joe Gibbs Racing.
The 37-year-old Edwards
gave no clear explanation on
what he plans to do now, but
his refusal to use the word
“retire” seemingly left open a
return in some form.
But none of this matters
unless the racing is good, the
characters come out and some-
body provides drama. There
was some Thursday, the day the
garage opened to Cup teams, as
the nasty fight between Danica
Patrick’s old sponsor and
her race team. Stewart-Haas
Racing has sued Nature’s
Bakery for $31 million for
dumping the final two years of
its three-year contract. Nature’s
Bakery said Thursday it will
fight and won’t allow the team
to “bully us.”
NASCAR, meanwhile,
introduced a new penalty
structure and the rules for
the upcoming season — on
Thursday. That’s right, the
details surrounding the 36
championship races were
locked down the day before
the buildup officially begins
to NASCAR’s version of the
“Super Bowl.”
So we wait to see what
this season brings, while
NASCAR holds its breath.
Investor remains optimistic about Seattle arena probability
By TIM BOOTH
Associated Press
SEATTLE — More than five years
into efforts to get a new arena built in
Seattle, Chris Hansen remains confi-
dent that his goal of being the facili-
tator for getting the NBA and NHL to
Seattle will ultimately be realized.
Even if that means dipping even
deeper into his pocket to offer up a
privately financed facility.
“We view that as a civic obliga-
tion to protect that and ensure that
we do our part in bringing a team
back,” Hansen said. “It was with that
mindset, we’re not a for-profit enter-
prise that is attempting to generate a
certain level of return on capital as we
look at this project to justify it. We’re
like, ‘What can we do just to make
this work for the city and hopefully
if we do that part, in the really long-
term it will work out for us.”’
Hansen spoke with The Associated
Press on Thursday, his first public
comments in nearly two years about
his arena efforts. During that time, the
Seattle City Council denied a needed
street closure that was part of a proposal
that included a public contribution to
the arena project. The ‘no’ vote forced
Hansen’s group to reevaluate the best
way to move forward.
“I was surprised that other people
didn’t see it that way but then again
that’s what is great about a process like
this, is you get to take in everybody’s
different opinions and considerations
into account and we had an opportu-
nity to de-risk it for the city a little bit
more and do a little bit more,” Hansen
said. “Things happen for a reason.”
Hansen also decried the reaction
disappointed fans had toward the
councilmembers after last year’s
surprising vote and said his group
has a responsibility to “head that
off” in the future if another vote goes
against his proposal.
“All the misogynistic comments
that came out about the councilmem-
bers was just way out of line,” Hansen
said. “I think it caught everybody
off-guard that was in the process.”
The answer for moving ahead
ended up being a privately financed
proposal that may ease the concerns
of the same city officials.
Hansen said his group, which
currently has five public members
including Seattle Seahawks quar-
terback Russell Wilson, will have
an equity stake in the arena and a
possible NBA franchise.
He also reiterated the group has
held discussions with parties inter-
ested in bringing the NHL to Seattle,
but any group interested in hockey
must be willing to pay the cost of the
franchise and also have contribute a
financial stake in the arena.
“We haven’t attempted to bid on an
NHL team. Bidding on an NHL team is
their own responsibility,” Hansen said.
Hansen must again go before
the same City Council to move his
privately proposed project forward
since the same street closure that
was denied a year ago must still be
approved for construction to begin.
Hansen has also pledged that no arena
construction will begin until a team
has been secured. He offered to help
pay for transportation improvements
in the area of the proposed facility.
Hansen’s group has just resub-
mitted its plans. The city is also
currently looking at a possible reno-
vation of KeyArena, the former home
of the Seattle SuperSonics.
The city issued a request for
proposals for modernizing the arena
in January and they’re due April 12.
Two groups — Oak View Group and
AEG — have stated they intend to
submit proposals for the arena that
could include the potential for housing
a professional sports franchise.
While supporting the city’s intent
to examine options for the city-
owned arena, Hansen cautioned that
he believes the project at KeyArena
could take several years. Hansen
said his group fully supports the
idea of KeyArena as a music and
entertainment venue, but viewing
the project as a sports facility could
ultimately delay potential opportu-
nities for the NBA or NHL.
“I think if there is the opportunity
for the NBA or NHL to expand in the
interim, having our project, which is
a couple of votes away from being
100 percent shovel-ready, is a lot
different prospect to the NBA or the
NHL if something is ready to happen
now, then sitting back and watching
a process that could take a very long
time,” Hansen said.
EAST'40OREGON
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CLASSIFIED INDEX
003 First Look
600 Recreational Vehicles
515 Musical
450 Round-Up
302 Statewide Classified
155 Out of Area Property for Sale
740 Trailers
485 Miscellaneous
330 Child/ Adult Care
705 Automobiles
100 Homes For Sale
Lost & Found
5
FOUND SMALL breed dog in
Hermiston, OR.
Call to identify
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125 Homes with Acreage
004 Bargain Bin!
005 Lost & Found
530 Garage Sales- Pendleton
415 Livestock
310 Business Opportunities
015 Holiday Happenings
545 Garage Sales- Athena/ Weston
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505 Wanted to Buy
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at
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TURN HERE REALTY &
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(541) 377-6855
PLEASE CHECK YOUR AD
ON THE FIRST DAY OF
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20
100
ADAMS - $139,000
Craftsman home, large kitchen.
Huge Trex deck. Large fenced
yard,
corner
lot,
great
outbuildings. Modern HVAC,
newer. Jeff 541-969-9539cell to
schedule a showing. #1661304
Coldwell Banker Whitney
(541) 276-0021
ATHENA - $128,000
Athena home/great condition. 3
bdrm, 2 ba, 1188 sf(m/l)
manufactured home, corner lot.
Large, shaded front deck, off
street and RV parking. Cari 541-
377-5058cell. #16443563
Coldwell Banker Whitney
(541) 276-0021
BLUE
JEANS
REALTY.
Residential,
Commercial,
Mountain properties. Call us
today to sell your home or buy
your new property.
“Our office is wherever you are”
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
541-379-8690
!
e
s
u
o
H
n
O pe
S AT ., FEB . 18 TH , 11-1 PM
721 NW 11 TH St., Pendleton, OR
245 Storage Units
135 Lots & Acreage
140 Commerical Property
710 Auto Parts
470 Auctions
420 Feed and Seed
200 Rentals
800 Business/ Service Directory
490 Household Items
335 Employment
100 Homes For Sale
Homes for Sale
100
CALL THE “Weekend & After
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at a convenient time for you.
Available on Short Notice,
Special
Financing
Program
Information! Call Matt Vogler,
541.377.9470
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
CURRENT LOW Inventory is
providing a good time to sell! Call
Matt Vogler (The Weekend and
After Hours Realtor) to receive a
Free
Comparative
Market
Analysis specific to your home.
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
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preference,
limitation, or discrimination based
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such preference, limitation, or
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Familial
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This newspaper will not knowingly
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available on an equal opportunity
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call HUD toll-free at 1-800-669-
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Find your new home while the int
erest rates are still low. Call Kerr
y 541 377 6855 for reliable trustw
orthy service with all listed home
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our wishlist.Contact:
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TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
340 Summer Youth Jobs
255 Roommates Wanted
260 Want to Rent
010 Special Notices
535 Garage Sales- Pilot Rock
475 Fuel and Heating
325 Education/ Schools
020 Personals
555 Garage Sales- Other
500 Antiques
Homes for Sale
100
Homes
For Sale
OVER 1200
eastoregonrealestate.com
PENDLETON - $105,900
NEW!
Sherwood Sweetie!!
Great 1st home or rental! 2
bedroom on one level. F/A heat.
Covered patio.Storage shed for
those extras! MLS#16530010
CALL: MARGE LAPP
Pendleton
Southgate Realty
(541) 276-1957
PENDLETON - $115,000
Adorable 2 bedroom Cottage in
Sherwood. Featuring updated
windows, doors, trim, laminate
floors. LED recessed lighting and
more! RV parking on large corner
lot. MLS 16402108 Call Matt
Vogler 541-377-9470
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
PENDLETON - $125,000
Amazing Views! 2 bed, 2 bath
w/spacious living room, dining
room, bonus room, utility/craft
room. Slate siding. Patio, garden
space. Dawn 541-310-9563cell.
#16081286
Coldwell Banker Whitney
(541) 276-0021
PENDLETON - $137,500
Office Building in busy location.
Lots of upgrades. Call Cathy for
more
info,
541-215-0103.
#16363913
Garton &
Associates
(541) 276-0931
PENDLETON - $139,900
UNIQUE - This home has 2,288
sf (m/l) & is located on approx
0.38 ac. Huge “gourmet-type”
kitchen, sunken living room &
“stage” for all those entertainers.
Hardwood floors, carpet. Large
garage, lots of parking for RVs,
boats, etc.. MLS# 15033690 Call
Marge Lapp
Homes for Sale
435 Good Things to Eat
350 Wanted Employment
400 Horse and Tack
150 Real Estate Wanted
720 Trucks
540 Garage Sales- Hermiston
425 Farm Equipment
240 Office Space Available
900 Legal Notices
012 Round-Up
100
Homes for Sale
100
PENDLETON - $159,500
Cozy Sherwood 3bed, 2bath
home. C/A, F/A heat, new gas
water heater. Hardwood floors,
vinyl windows, newer kitchen.
Attic storage, fenced, UGS. Jerry
541-969-6378cell #16594450
Coldwell Banker Whitney
(541) 276-0021
Pendleton
Price Reduced Again, Now
$194,900, Almost 2,800sf, 4
bedroom, 3 bath in Popular
Southgate location. Large deck
and backyard, fireplace, great
family home. Call Matt Vogler
541-377-9470 MLS #15512901
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
Pendleton - $184,900
Huge Shop! 3bedroom, 2bath.
Kitchen w/cherrywood cabinets,
ceramic tile floors, breakfast
nook. Remodeled 1997, all wiring
updated. Metal roof, vinyl siding.
Marsha
541-377-5152cell.
#16219786
Coldwell Banker Whitney
(541) 276-0021
PENDLETON-REDUCED
$71,644
3 or possible 4 bedroom 2
bathhome. Has fireplace, needs
work. RMLS #16048730 Call
Cathy for more info 541-215-
0103
Pendleton - $219,000 WOW--
So many extras in this 3bed, 2ba
home. Hidden gem - private sun
room, central intercome and
VAC, RV area, close to park,
fireplace+pellet+Central
heat.
Call for your tour today
#16054514
TURN HERE REALTY &
TRAVEL
(541) 377-6855
PENDLETON - $219,000
Beautifully updated 4 bed, 3
bath. Updated kitchen refinished
hardwood floors, newer windows,
remodeled bathrooms. Storage
Deluxe
including
office/craft
room, basement pantry, bonus
room and workshop. Sharp! Call
Matt Vogler MLS 16267013
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
PENDLETON - $239,000
Fabulous
4 bed, 3 bath
townhome with top of North Main
views.
Featuring
high-end
finishes, satin nickel fixtures,
granite countertops, solid doors
vaulted
ceilings,
detailed
molding. Call Matt Vogler MLS
16221871
John J. Howard & Assoc.
(541) 377-9470
Garton &
Associates
(541) 276-0931
PILOT ROCK - $109,000 Newly
remodeled duplex in Pilot Rock -
2 units. Great investment. All
new plumbing, electrical, etc.
Call Cathy for more information
541-215-0103
Garton &
Associates
(541) 276-0931
Homes with Acreage
125
BLUE
JEANS
REALTY.
Residential,
Commercial,
Mountain properties. Call us
today to sell your home or buy
your new property.
“Our office is wherever you are”
Rocky Mikesell
Blue Jeans Realty
541-379-8690
COUNTRY PARADISE! 2008
Custom built home on 4 acres.
4bed 3bath 2736sqft. Mini ranch
with LOTS of extras. See Zillow
for details/photos. Pilot Rock.
(541)379-7317
LAGRANDE - $320,000
You could live here year round!
412.75 total acres. Year round
accessible. Critical wildlife winter
range. Call Kal.
RMLS #
1527824
Garton &
Associates