Page 22 - ARUBA TODAY

A22 SPORTS
Thursday 1 March 2018
Nascar

Continued from Page 17 marketing push behind
this “New NASCAR!” and
The rest of the NASCAR they had to have felt the
schedule is where the change in dynamic at
true talent rises. So at Daytona.
Atlanta, where experience Denny Hamlin, a former
matters, the finishing order Daytona 500 winner who
showed five former series finished third in the 500 and
champions — four Daytona fourth at Atlanta, shared
500 winners — cross the his thoughts on Twitter on
finish line in order. Monday night by posting
“This is a racetrack that a video of pro bowler Pete
takes a lot of experience, Weber screaming “Who do
and there’s a lot of things you think you are? I am!”
that you have to know after winning his fifth U.S.
about your car and know Open title in 2012. Hamlin
about the racetrack to added his own message:
get the car around,” “All the old drivers after
Harvick said. “This is where Sunday.”
experience pays off.” A reply chided Hamlin that
That doesn’t fit the fresh Elliott is the future, and “In
narrative that came out of a couple years you will be Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers Kyle Busch (18) and Kevin Harvick (4) races down the
Daytona, where the new watching him win from your front stretch during the NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton,
crop of NASCAR drivers recliner,” the fan wrote. Ga., on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2018.
ruled. Hamlin didn’t back down. Associated Press
Alex Bowman won the “Agree. But I won’t be on Kyle Larson was the same, third behind teammate growing pains.
pole, Chase Elliott and that recliner for some time,” and when he finally figured Harvick at Atlanta, believes “We’re in a great spot in
Ryan Blaney won qualifying he posted. it out, he knocked out four there will be a better mix our sport because we have
races, Blaney led the This isn’t about jealousy, wins last season and was a at Las Vegas because “it’s these young guys that are
most laps in the Daytona rather reality. The older legitimate title contender. qualifying laps every single fired up and can drive the
500, Austin Dillon won the drivers know their laps are Harvick noted there’s lap, and those kids will show car fast and have great
race and Bubba Wallace limited, but they aren’t going to be a balance back up.” stories and have ties to
finished second in his going to simply go away. all season between the And when they do, there great family heritage,” he
debut. Experience matters and it’s radically different ends of will be room for both new said.
At 27, Dillon is the oldest going to take seat time for the spectrum. and old. Harvick, who has “The diversity from young
driver in that bunch. the newcomers to figure The younger drivers may started the transition from to old is something that we
Harvick, meanwhile, is 42. out how to contend on a have better finishes this race car driver to analyst haven’t had in a long time,
The shift in focus to the weekly basis. weekend at Las Vegas with a radio show on Sirius and we’re going to corral
new generation is not lost Elliott, for example, is winless because the track is “a little and a recurring spot in everybody to make sure
on anyone who follows in the Cup Series but has calmer with things that you Fox’s broadcasting lineup, that they realize that we all
NASCAR, particularly the seven runner-up finishes. don’t have to have in your understands its going to need each other in order
veteran drivers. Some He’s still working on closing memory bank.” take everyone for NASCAR to make this sport what we
have nitpicked about the races. Clint Bowyer, who finished to go through these current all want it to be.”q
In lieu of White House visit, Warriors take kids to museum

By BRIAN McNALLY play at Washington. dren who have lost loved
Associated Press The Warriors didn’t want ones that served in the mili-
WASHINGTON (AP) — With to wade into much politi- tary. The private museum
an offer to visit the White cal talk at their pregame tour lasted three hours.
House as NBA champions shootaround Wednesday, “The kids — their smiles lit
rejected and rescinded, a day after they went to up the room,” Kerr said.
Kevin Durant and the Gold- the museum. “Our guys understand how
en State Warriors instead Did they miss the pomp much of an impact they
spent their day off in the and circumstance of the can make on these kids. It’s
nation’s capital touring the customary White House a reminder of how power-
National Museum of Afri- visit? ful sports can be and how
can American History and “No,” Durant said. “Not at transformative sports can
Culture with local students. all.” be for change.”
In town ahead of their His teammate David West Warriors guard Stephen
game against the Wash- simply shook his head when Curry said in September
ington Wizards on Wednes- asked the same question. that he would not visit the
day night, Warriors play- Coach Steve Kerr? “You’re White House if invited.
ers, coaches and front of- not going to get me to go President Donald Trump
fice executives met with down that path, sorry,” was then announced on Twitter
students from Durant’s his reply. that the “invitation is with-
hometown of Seat Pleas- The Warriors spent Tuesday drawn!”
ant, Maryland, which is 8 at the museum with 40 stu- Golden State visited the
Golden State Warriors forward Stephen Curry celebrates toward miles from the White House. dents from Seat Pleasant White House at the invita-
fans during the second half of an NBA basketball game against Traditionally, the reigning and 10 more from the Trag- tion of President Barack
the New York Knicks, Monday, Feb. 26, 2018 in New York. The champs will be feted by edy Assistance Program for Obama after its 2015
Warriors defeated the Knicks 125-111.
Associated Press the president when they Survivors, which helps chil- championship. q