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2B – Daily News – Friday, February 18, 2011 Kurt Busch 2-for-2 at Daytona Tehama Tracker BOYS HOOPS Daytona 500 DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Three races down during Speedweeks and nobody has any idea what they’ll see in the Daytona 500. Kurt Busch felt certain he cemented himself the favorite after winning Thursday’s first 150-mile qualifying race, backing up last weekend’s victo- ry in the exhibition Budweiser Shootout. Jeff Burton, the winner of the sec- ond qualifying race, respectfully dis- agreed. The lack of a clear front-runner was the least of NASCAR’s problems, though. Drivers have locked in on a new style of tandem racing that has just about everyone unsure how Sun- day’s season-opener will unfold. All three races so far have been dominated by two-car packs, as drivers figured out the fastest way around the new asphalt at Daytona International Speedway. It’s vastly different from the wild pack racing fans adore at Day- tona, and NASCAR has already made a series of rules changes this week in an attempt to separate the cars. Most drivers seem dazzled by this radical new racing, but fans are a little freaked out at the potential for a boring race. Burton insisted nothing will be dif- ferent come Sunday. ‘‘It’s my prediction it will be the same Daytona 500,’’ he said. ‘‘When somebody has a chance to take the Daytona 500 trophy home, you do things that you weren’t going to do 100 laps before that. It’s the same thing every time we come down here.’’ So far, it’s hardly been a wild ride. As soon as the green flag fell for each of Thursday’s qualifying races, the field broke up in two-car packs. It was a repeat of every on-track session since the speedway was paved during the offseason, and drivers determined during two test sessions that hooking up in pairs is the fastest way around the track. Every minute of practice has been used by drivers trying to figure out who they can work with, how long they can stay hooked up, and how quickly they can swap positions. NASCAR has tried a series of techni- cal adjustments this week to break up the tandems — mostly through changes to the cooling systems that cause cars to overheat if they stay hooked up too long. Several drivers, Busch included, have mastered the system in a very short time. ‘‘To find the right drafting partners out there, make different things hap- pen, you’re learning every lap,’’ said Busch, who worked with Regan Smith through most of his qualifying win. ‘‘It’s amazing what partnerships can do out on the racetrack, and when two guys can think the same way with- out saying a word, things are going to happen for those two guys.’’ But others are still trying to figure it out. ‘‘Guys, it don’t compare to any- thing,’’ said two-time Daytona 500 winner Bill Elliott, who raced his way into the field in the first qualifying race. ‘‘I’ve never experienced anything like what you have to do to make it work. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. It’s like a bunch of kids playing leapfrog, but they were doing it in pairs.’’ Elliott was one of seven drivers to earn a spot in the field during Thurs- day’s races. He was joined by two- time Daytona 500 winner Michael Waltrip, who is racing in a paint scheme that commemorates the car he drove to victory in the 2001 race — when Dale Earnhardt was killed in a last-lap accident. Friday marks the 10- year anniversary. ‘‘I wanted to celebrate Dale’s life,’’ Waltrip said, relieved at making the race. Also earning spots in the field were J.J. Yeley, Travis Kvapil, Dave Blaney, Joe Nemechek and Brian Keselowski, who used help from his little brother, Brad, to earn his first career Sprint Cup start. The Keselowski hookup was the feel-good story of the day, as the 29- year-old journeyman raced his way into the field driving a 5-year-old car that he prepared with his father. He recruited his uncle to Daytona to help this week, then needed a huge push from Brad, a star for deep-pocketed Penske Racing, to get into NASCAR’s biggest race. ‘‘It still goes to show you that you’ve got a chance no matter what,’’ Brian Keselowski said. ‘‘You find a guy to push you — thank God it was my brother, I don’t know if anybody else would have stuck with me that long. It gives everybody a shot at it and says that the independent guy that can go out and find a racecar, put it togeth- er, get a good push, everybody’s got a chance.’’ Logjam at Riviera leaderboard Northern Trust Open LOS ANGELES (AP) — Ten years after Robert Allenby won a six-man playoff at Riviera, he was part of a nine-way tie for the lead Thursday in the North- ern Trust Open. Allenby kept it simple on a gorgeous day along Sunset Boulevard with a 4-under 67 that turned out to be enough for a share of the lead when former Ryder Cup captain Corey Pavin faltered late. It was the highest score to lead after one round at Riviera in 15 years. Also atop the leaderboard when play was suspended by darkness were John Senden, Martin Laird, Spencer Levin, Aaron Baddeley, Ben Martin, Bill Haas, Carl Pet- tersson and J.B. Holmes. Peter Tomasulo could join them if he makes a 12- foot birdie putt on the 18th hole when he resumes his round Friday morning. As it is, the PGA Tour said nine players tied for the lead were the most after any round since it began keeping records in 1970. In what might be the best weather all week, no one separated him- self in mild temperatures, a light breeze and a sky clear enough to offer a peek of the Pacific Ocean through the eucalyptus trees. A few players managed to stand out. Dustin Johnson’s caddie thought his tee time was 40 minutes later than it really was, so Johnson was on the practice range in the middle of his warm-up routine when he was supposed to be high on the hill on the first tee. Johnson was penalized two shots, and nearly was disqualified. Players have five minutes to get to the tee, and Johnson got their with 6 seconds to spare. He wound up with a 73. Then came the retro movement of Pavin and Fred Couples, who com- bined to win this tournament four times during a six-year stretch in the early 1990s. Couples, whose back is in such bad shape that he’s going for treatment next week, made three straight birdies at the turn and shot a 68. Pavin was the only play- er to reach 5 under, and it would have been an amaz- ing story if he didn’t have to play the last six holes. But NCAA Thursday’s Top 25 results No.12 Arizona 79, Washington State 70 No. 23 Temple 73, Richmond 53 Today’s Top 25 games No.13 UConn at No.16 L’ville, 6 p.m., ESPN Today’s other televised game Va.Common.at Wichita St., 4 p.m., ESPN2 Wednesday’s late Top 25 result No.6 San Diego State 68, New Mexico 62 he made three bogeys in the twilight, including his last two holes, and had to settle for a 69. ‘‘You always want to fin- ish off a round, so it’s a little disappointing in that regard,’’ Pavin said. ‘‘But I just went out there and hit every shot the best I could, and I just didn’t finish the way I wanted to. But if I had said, ’Take 2 under before the round started,’ I maybe would have taken it. I’m not sure.’’ Phil Mickelson got off to a great start with birdies on his opening two holes, only to look suspect with a few irons and a few putts. He wound up with a 71. His hope is that the rain holds off until he finishes the second PGA Northern Trust Open At Riviera Country Club Los Angeles Purse: $6.5 million Yardage: 7,325;Par: 71 (35-36) Friday TV: Noon, TGC Partial First Round Leaders Play suspended by darkness with 14 players left to finish. John Senden 33-34 — 67 -4 Martin Laird 34-33 — 67 -4 Robert Allenby 33-34 — 67 -4 Spencer Levin 33-34 — 67 -4 Aaron Baddeley 31-36 — 67 -4 Ben Martin Bill Haas Carl Pettersson 34-33 — 67 -4 J.B. Holmes 31-36 — 67 -4 34-33 — 67 -4 Padraig Harrington 33-35 — 68 -3 Vijay Singh Brian Davis Fred Couples Luke Donald 33-34 — 67 -4 33-35 — 68 -3 35-33 — 68 -3 33-35 — 68 -3 31-37 — 68 -3 round. ‘‘I thought it was going to be a great day but I gave a lot of shots back, made too many bogeys,’’ Mickelson said. NASCAR Daytona 500 Sunday At Daytona International Speedway Daytona Beach, Fla. Lap length: 2.5 miles (Car number in parentheses) Lineup 1. (88) x-Dale Earnhardt Jr., Chevrolet 2. (24) Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet 3. (22) Kurt Busch, Dodge 4. (31) Jeff Burton, Chevrolet 5. (78) Regan Smith, Chevrolet 6. (33) Clint Bowyer, Chevrolet 7. (29) Kevin Harvick, Chevrolet 8. (15) Michael Waltrip, Toyota 9. (17) Matt Kenseth, Ford 10. (18) Kyle Busch, Toyota 11. (4) Kasey Kahne, Toyota 12. (92) Brian Keselowski, Dodge 13. (42) Juan Pablo Montoya, Chevrolet 14. (1) Jamie McMurray, Chevrolet 15. (43) A J Allmendinger, Ford 16. (2) Brad Keselowski, Dodge 17. (5) Mark Martin, Chevrolet 18. (11) Denny Hamlin, Toyota 19. (27) Paul Menard, Chevrolet 20. (56) Martin Truex Jr., Toyota 21. (39) Ryan Newman, Chevrolet 22. (99) Carl Edwards, Ford 23. (48) Jimmie Johnson, Chevrolet 24. (00) David Reutimann, Toyota 25. (14) Tony Stewart, Chevrolet 26. (16) Greg Biffle, Ford 27. (83) Brian Vickers, Toyota 28. (37) Robert Richardson Jr., Ford 29. (09) Bill Elliott, Chevrolet, 30. (7) Robby Gordon, Dodge 31. (47) Bobby Labonte, Toyota 32. (21) Trevor Bayne, Ford 33. (46) J.J.Yeley, Chevrolet 34. (6) David Ragan, Ford 35. (9) Marcos Ambrose, Ford 36. (77) Steve Wallace, Toyota 37. (71) Andy Lally, Chevrolet 38. (20) Joey Logano, Toyota 39. (34) David Gilliland, Ford 40. (38) Travis Kvapil, Ford 41. (87) Joe Nemechek, Toyota 42. (36) Dave Blaney, Chevrolet 43. (32) Terry Labonte, Ford x-Earnhardt will start from position 43, after wrecking his primary race car in practice. Red Bluff 38 Pleasant Valley 51 The Spartans suffered a 51-38 road loss at Pleasant Valley, Wednesday. Red Bluff dropped to 8-16 on the season. Los Molinos 57 Hamilton 33 The Bulldogs beat Hamilton 57-33, Wednesday, behind 14 points from Eric Blanchard. Los Molinos held Hamilton to just 11 second half points. Gilbert Zamora scored 10 for Los Molinos, Dom Ceja and Ryan Mekech each had eight points, Sean Conrad chipped in with six points and Edward Garnica had three points. NFL, union to go to mediation NFL NEW YORK (AP) — Two weeks before a poten- tial lockout, the NFL and its players’ union are asking for help in their stalled negotia- tions. Both sides agreed Thursday to mediation as they discuss a new collective bargaining agreement. The Federal Mediation and Con- ciliation Service, an inde- pendent U.S. government agency, will oversee talks in Washington beginning Fri- day. After holding separate discussions with representa- tives from the league and the union, FMCS director George H. Cohen said both sides agreed to have the agency mediate. Mediation is not binding. ‘‘Any time that both sides of negotiations can get together, whether through conventional means of bar- NBA WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division WL Pct GB Lakers 38 19 .667 — Phoenix 27 26 .509 9 WARRIORS 26 29 .473 11 Clippers 21 35 .375 16.5 KINGS 13 40 .245 23 Southwest Division WL Pct GB San Antonio 46 10 .821 — Dallas 39 16 .709 6.5 New Orleans33 25 .569 14 Memphis 31 26 .544 15.5 Houston 26 31 .456 20.5 Northwest Division WL Pct GB Okla. City 35 19 .648 — Portland 32 24 .571 4 Denver 32 25 .561 4.5 Utah 31 26 .544 5.5 Minnesota 13 43 .232 23 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division WL Pct GB Boston 40 14 .741 — New York 28 26 .519 12 Philadelphia 27 29 .482 14 New Jersey 17 40 .298 24.5 Toronto 15 41 .268 26 Southeast Division WL Pct GB 41 15 .732 — Miami Orlando 36 21 .632 5.5 Atlanta 34 21 .618 6.5 Charlotte 24 32 .429 17 Washington 15 39 .278 25 Central Division WL Pct GB Chicago 38 16 .704 — Indiana 24 30 .444 14 Milwaukee 21 34 .382 17.5 Detroit 21 36 .368 18.5 Cleveland 10 46 .179 29 ————————————————— Thursday’s results Chicago 109, San Antonio 99 Dallas at Phoenix, late Today’s games No games scheduled Wednesday’s late result Portland 103, New Orleans 96 gaining or mediation, to come to an agreement that can benefit all parties, it is a good thing,’’ NFLPA presi- dent Kevin Mawae told The Associated Press in an e- mail. Negotiations broke down last week, leading to the can- cellation of one planned ses- sion. The players are expect- ing the owners to lock them out if the CBA expires on March 3 without a new agreement. The FMCS website says it ‘‘provides free mediation services in contract negotiation disputes between employers and their unionized employees.” NHL WESTERN CONFERENCE Pacific Division WL OT Pts GF GA Phoenix 31 19 9 71 169 165 Ducks 32 22 4 68 165 164 Kings 32 22 4 68 163 139 Dallas 31 21 6 68 162 166 SHARKS 31 21 6 68 160 152 Central Division WL OT Pts GF GA Detroit 35 16 6 76 193 165 Nashville 31 19 8 70 154 136 Chicago 29 22 6 64 180 159 Columbus 28 23 6 62 155 172 St. Louis 25 21 9 59 148 164 Northwest Division WL OT Pts GF GA Vancouver 37 13 9 83 197 140 Calgary 30 22 8 68 181 175 Minnesota 30 22 5 65 148 152 Colorado 25 26 7 57 173 198 Edmonton 18 32 8 44 145 195 EASTERN CONFERENCE Atlantic Division WL OT Pts GF GA Philadelphia 38 14 5 81 190 144 Pittsburgh 36 19 4 76 176 143 N.Y.Rangers 31 24 4 66 166 147 New Jersey 23 30 4 50 123 160 N.Y.Islanders 21 30 7 49 158 195 Northeast Division WL OT Pts GF GA Boston 32 19 7 71 181 142 Montreal 31 21 7 69 154 150 Buffalo 27 23 6 60 165 166 Toronto 25 27 6 56 150 178 Ottawa 18 30 9 45 129 190 Southeast Division WL OT Pts GF GA Tampa Bay 34 18 6 74 177 182 Washington 30 18 10 70 160 149 Carolina 27 23 8 62 170 178 Atlanta 25 24 10 60 170 192 Florida 24 25 7 55 148 152 NOTE: Two points for a win, one point for overtime loss. ————————————————— Thursday’s results Washington at San Jose, late Boston 6, N.Y. Islanders 3 Detroit 6, Tampa Bay 2 Edmonton 4, Montreal 1 Nashville 3, Vancouver 1 N.Y. Rangers 4, Los Angeles 3, SO Phoenix 4, Atlanta 3 Today’s games N.Y. Rangers at New Jersey, 4 p.m. Boston at Ottawa, 4:30 p.m. Detroit at Florida, 4:30 p.m. St. Louis at Buffalo, 4:30 p.m. Anaheim at Minnesota, 5 p.m. Philadelphia at Carolina, 5 p.m., NHLN Columbus at Chicago, 5:30 p.m., CSNC Wednesday’s late results Calgary 4, Dallas 2 Washington 7, Anaheim 6 HOME SERVICES DIRECTORY $8900 Runs Every Monday - Wednesday - Friday $ month commitment Residential • Commerical PATIOS • DECKS Construction Remodel, Construction Burrows New Additions, Siding Repair and Replacement, Water and Dryrot Damage Specialist, New Construction Foundation to Finish FREE ESTIMATES & REFRENCES Lic#824770 Ph: (530) 515-9779 Handyman 7900 a month with a 3 a month for a 1 month commitment Heating & AC Help for Seniors & Singles “Let me help you with the small repairs to keep your home running smoothly” 527-2288 Home Repairs At Very Reasonable Rates Call Richard at HVAC & General Contractor Lic. #619239 TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ALL REBATES ON FULL INSTALLATIONS FREE ESTIMATES D.A.V. & SENIOR DISCOUNT References available upon request (New Construction/Remodels) 1-800-739-4706 Serving Tehama County and surrounding areas since 1990 Construction n No early cancellation, non-refundable Landscaping Torres Landscaping Mowing, Pruning, Weeding, Blowing, Cleaning, Trimming Yearly Yard Maintenance Monthly or One time available All around LAWN Maintenance Free Estimates Cell: 530-526-3752 Home: 520-529-5474 Ramon Torres Lic.# 10034 Landscape/Fence Tractor & Landscape Service Steve’s • Fence Building • Landscaping • Trenching • Rototilling • Disking • Mowing • Ridging • Post Hole Digging • Blade Work • Sprinkler Installation • Concrete Work Cont. 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