News » elusive first career road course victory

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Brad Keselowski has always had a fondness for Watkins Glen International, and that fondness just grew a bit more. The reigning Sprint Cup champion, who had finished second three times in the past two years at The Glen, led 49 laps in the Nationwide Zippo 200 and finally notched that elusive first career road course victory Saturday. "I dont know, its hard to explain. I can remember coming here with my dad (in the 1990s), just always having a love affair with this track," said Keselowski, runner-up to Marcos Ambrose in the past two Cup races at the track. "Theres something about this track. I have a very deep appreciation for it. Its been a great race track for me." Keselowski passed Joey Logano for the lead with 16 laps to go, then held off Sam Hornish Jr. in a dominant performance for Penske Racing. Keselowski, who finished second to Carl Edwards despite leading more than half of this race a year ago, won for the fourth straight time over five months in NASCARs second-tier series. It was his 24th career Nationwide win, tying him with Tommy Houston for eighth place on the career list. Brian Vickers was third, followed by Regan Smith and Elliott Sadler. Logano finished 21st after running out of gas on the final lap, his teams fuel strategy backfiring. Hornish won the pole and set sail with Keselowski at the outset after Kyle Busch crashed on the first turn of the 82-lap race. "Kyle getting torn up, it was pretty apparent that all three of our cars had a shot to win the race if we just didnt do something dumb," Keselowski said. "So I tried to not do something dumb the whole race." Busch wasnt so fortunate. He started second but lost control of his No. 54 Toyota, sliding sideways after apparently tapping the rear bumper of Hornish as they drove through the first turn, a downhill 90-degree right-hander. Buschs spotter had just cleared him to make a move under Hornish. Busch briefly touched the Armco barrier that lines the track and was OK, but Mike Wallace, in midpack and unaware Busch was there, pulled right to make a pass and slammed the left front of Buschs car. "Im sorry guys," Busch said over his radio as he drove to the garage for repairs. Busch, who was seeking his ninth victory of the season and 60th in the series, finished five laps down in 24th. Wallaces No. 01 Chevrolet was crushed, too, as was his psyche. "I went to the right, Wallace said. "You wouldnt expect him to be spun out that early in the race. We were just trying to get through the first lap. Its disappointing." After that, it was a show between Hornish and Keselowski as the three Penske Fords combined to lead all but nine laps. Hornish managed to close on Keselowskis back bumper with six laps remaining, but that was as close as he got. Keselowski pulled away over the final two laps and won by 1.4 seconds. "I was focused on trying to pass the 22 (Keselowski)," Hornish said. "I had driven for over 100 per cent and I couldnt even get beside him. I could get up to his bumper. I just had to settle down a bit. I needed to sit there and ride." Smart move. Hornish closed to within three points of the series lead behind Austin Dillon, who struggled with a sputtering car and finished 11th. The solid day moved Penske within five points of Joe Gibbs Racing for the owners points lead. Whoelsale Colts Jerseys . James Jones got his turn Sunday. And the lift he brought, combined with the expected playoff showings from LeBron James and Dwyane Wade, have the Heat off and running in these playoffs. 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He opened the season appearing in 14 games and making 12 starts for the Milwaukee Brewers triple-A affiliate in Nashville, posting a 4-2 record with a 1.TORONTO, Ontario - While most of his teammates embarked on vacations to sunny southern destinations over the Olympic break, David Bolland - out of the lineup since suffering a severed tendon in his left ankle on November 2 in Vancouver - headed to London, Ontario instead to continue his rehab with his old junior team, the London Knights. Although head coach Randy Carlyle jokingly wondered how much actual training Bolland got done while in London. "I dont know how much training goes on when you go back to the junior team that you played for so I wouldnt read too much into that," laughed Carlyle after the Maple Leafs were put through an up-tempo practice that concluded with a 10-minute bag skate on Thursday. "I was in London once at a bar called "Joe Cools" and they have numerous stools there that have players names on them that Ive coached, and hes one of them." In all seriousness though, that Bolland has put himself in a position to even discuss a potential return just 110 days since suffering a laceration that he said went right through the muscle and tendon in his ankle, nearly down to the bone, is a remarkable feat of determination that has not been lost on his coach. "The level of professionalism that he displays day in, day out right from when we first saw him in training camp, that has continued here," said Carlyle. "Hes pushing himself and with the help of our training staff and our strength and conditioning (coaches), hes done a heck of a job to get himself back where he is now." So where exactly is he? Neither Carlyle nor Bolland would pin down a specific return date but Bolland did sound more encouraged with his progress than he did when he offered his last update on February 5 in Tampa Bay. "Im close, its getting there," he said on Thursday. "Im on my way upwards." Carlyle suggested yesterday that a decision would be made next Wednesday as to whether Bolland will dress when the Leafs resume their schedule against the New York Islanders on February 27. "Ah, well see," Bolland added when asked if he expects to play against the Islanders. His impending return was welcomed news to Dion Phaneuf. "Thats a very big boost," said the Leafs captain. "Bollands an experienced guy whos played a lot of hockey in the league. Hes a big part of our team. Hes big in the room; hes big on the ice. Hes a leader in our dressing room and he plays hard night in and night out so were excited too get him back.dddddddddddd." But despite just 22 regular season games remaining for the Leafs, Bolland will not be re-inserted until he declares himself ready. "When he says hes ready to go, thats one of the things were adamant about here is that the player is not going to come back and say hes 85 per cent and were going to put him in the lineup," Carlyle said. "Hes got to tell us hes 100/110 per cent and then were ready to go. That makes it a lot easier for everybody involved." When Bolland was injured, he was playing on a line with Mason Raymond and David Clarkson. Since then, Clarkson has been moved to a line with Joffrey Lupul and Nazem Kadri which Carlyle indicated he has been pleased with. At this point, consider it audition time for the right wing spot with leading candidates likely being Nik Kulemin and Troy Bodie. "We think that Bolland and Mason Raymond and whoever we decide to put there could give us a 2A and 2B type of offensive numbers," said Carlyle. But dont expect too much too soon when Bolland does return, Carlyle cautioned, suggesting he will keep an eye on his minutes and potentially avoid penalty killing duties early on. "I dont think Ill be stepping into the same role as I was at the start of the season," Bolland said. "I missed two and a half, three months of hockey and just coming back and throwing yourself in the mix is never fun. Its tough coming back from injuries and coming back will be something where Ill be eased in and not just thrown to the wolves. My expectations will be a little bit lower but gradually (after) the first two or three games, Ill be back in the mix." The chance to get Bolland back for the stretch drive, whether its in the first game back against the Islanders or a few games later, is an addition that Carlyle feels will have a significant impact on the team, almost akin to a trade deadline acquisition without giving anything up. "Anytime you can add a player of that caliber, it does change the makeup of your lineup," said Carlyle. "We lost two centres (Bozak and Bolland) early in November and weve been taxing people and putting younger players in situations that have somewhat overwhelmed them at times. We feel its a huge compliment to the depth of our organization that our young players have come in and filled that gap. Theres no ifs, ands or buts adding a David Bolland, we feel it has an impact into our line up." 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