It's Thursday

It's Thursday. Here's what's happening.

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Today is February 28th, the 58th day of 2013. There are 307 days left in the year.

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What they're saying about the Blackhawks.

Player Safety video examines tripping/slew-footing.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com/.

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Today's Birthdays: Gavin MacLeod (The Love Boat's Capt. Merrill Stubing) is 82; Frank Bonner (Herb Tarlek on WKRP in Cincinnati) is 71; John Turturro (Quiz Show, The Big Lebowski) is 56; Ali Larter (Heroes) is 37.

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Tampa, FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning have recalled forward Pierre-Cedric Labrie and defenseman Brendan Mikkelson from the Syracuse Crunch of the American Hockey League after a conditioning assignment, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

Read the rest here.

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North Korea says that the US is now well within range of its latest nuclear missiles. [My house could get hit with a nuclear missile all the way from North Korea but the local Chinese restaurant says I live outside their delivery area.]

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Something to prove: Foley ready for next chapter.

Ticats release veteran linebacker Renauld Williams.

Visit the league's official website at cfl.ca.

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A new nonprofit company is launching a plan to launch the first manned mission to Mars in 2018, a voyage that could include a married crew. The project, led by American millionaire Dennis Tito -- who paid his own way to space in 2001 -- aims not to land people on the surface of the Red Planet, but to take advantage of a rare planetary alignment that would allow a relatively easy, quick flyby of Mars. Tito hopes to choose a space capsule and rocket from among those already on the market, and modify them to carry two people to Mars and back in 501 days.

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Tampa, FL. — Cornerbacks are always a hot commodity, in both free agency and the draft, but there may be a wider range of possibilities for those CB-hungry teams this year than in most offseasons.

Read the rest here.

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TV TONIGHT: AMERICAN IDOL - The fourth and final group of semifinalists performs in this 2-hour edition. (8p ET, FOX)

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Everybody was Kung Fu fighting....

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as playing with the dogs, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1970 - Elvis Presley's album "Portrait in Music" hit #36 in the U.K.

2004 - Elvis Presley was inducted into the Bay Area Blues Society's West Coast Blues Hall of Fame.

2006 - The remastered versions of "Elvis Inspirational", "Elvis Country" and "Elvis Rock" were released.

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HBO's Game of Thrones holds the title for most-pirated show of 2012, but one of the show's directors isn't concerned about the massive piracy from online viewers. Director David Petrarca thinks the buzz the show's pirates create benefits the show because the chatter could influence others to tune in legally. Season three of Game of Thrones premieres March 31.

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Today in Beatles History:

1963 - Paul McCartney and John Lennon composed "From Me To You."

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Happy Birthday to my Mom!

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Today in Sports History:

1931 - The Canadian Rugby Union adopted the forward pass.

1940 - The first televised basketball game was shown. The game featured Fordham University and the University of Pittsburgh from Madison Square Gardens in New York.

1948 - Bud Gartiser set a world record when he cleared the 50-yard low hurdles in 6.8 seconds.

1967 - Wilt Chamberlain set an NBA record with his 35th consecutive field goal.

1987 - Chick Hearn broadcasted his 2,000th consecutive Los Angeles Laker's game.

1988 - Pat Verbeek became the first New Jersey Devil to score 4 goals in a game.

1998 - Mark Messier (Vancouver Canucks) became the fourth NHL player to score 1,600 points.

1999 - Venus and Serena Williams became the first sisters to win WTA Tour events on the same day.

2002 - It was announced that John Madden would be replacing Dennis Miller on "Monday Night Football." Madden signed a four-year $20 million deal with ABC Sports.

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Well this just seems unfair. Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson is using Facebook to sell Girl Scout cookies. Thompson's fan page says each box will be signed by the Boo Boo herself and include an autographed pictured of the family.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers 7:00pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 1:00pm EST

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Dollar General 200 Fueled By Amerigas at Phoenix International Raceway 4:30pm EST

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway 3:00pm EST

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

It's Wednesday

It's Wednesday. Here's what's happening.

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Today is February 27th, the 57th day of 2013. There are 308 days left in the year.

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Report: NHL proposes realignment, new playoff format.

No physical activity or timetable yet for Malkin.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com/.

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Today's Birthdays: Actor Howard Hesseman (Dr. Johnny Fever on WKRP in Cincinnati) is 73; Rock guitarist/pianist Neal Schon (Journey) is 59; Former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton is 33; Kate Mara (American Horror Story, Netflix's House of Cards) is 30.

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Tampa, FL. -- Not even a rare loss at home was enough to knock the Tampa Bay Lightning out of first place in the Southeast Division.

Steven Stamkos had the only goal of the night for the Lightning, which received 19 saves from Mathieu Garon, although in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday night at the Tampa Bay Times Forum.

Read the rest here.

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Snooki sold her custom Cadillac Escalade on eBay for $77,000. [It's a hybrid -- it runs on a combination of gasoline and tanning oil.]

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University of Minnesota Continues Run at No. 1 in USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Women's College Hockey Poll USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine 2012-13 Women's College Hockey Poll - #20(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank School Last Week's Ranking 2012-13 Record (W-L-T) Weeks in Top 10 1 University of Minnesota, 190 (19) 1 34-0-0 21 2 Cornell University, 163 3 23-5-1 21 3 Boston College, 159 2 25-5-3 21 4 Boston University, 118 4 23-4-3 21 5 Clarkson University, 104 6 26-8-0 17 6 Harvard University, 82 5 20-5-3 18 7 University of Wisconsin, 77 8 21-9-2 15 8 University of North Dakota, 64 7 23-10-1 19 9 Mercyhurst University, 50 9 26-6-1 21 10 Northeastern University, 35 10 21-10-2 14 Others receiving votes: University of Minnesota Duluth, 2; Quinnipiac University, 1. NOTES: The University of Minnesota Golden Gophers are the defending NCAA national champions and earned their 21st straight week as the unanimous No. 1 ... The Western Collegiate Hockey Association, ECAC Hockey and the Hockey East Association boast three ranked teams apiece, while College Hockey America has one ranked program ... A total of 12 teams received votes. ABOUT THE POLL: The 16th annual USA Today/USA Hockey MagazineWomen’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the four NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey.

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An Australian billionaire, Clive Palmer, has unveiled blueprints for Titanic II, a modern replica of the doomed ocean liner. The ship will mostly recreate the design and decor of the famous original, with some modifications to keep it in line with current safety rules and shipbuilding practices, and the addition of some modern comforts such as air conditioning.

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FA13: Ricky Foley inks deal with Roughriders.

FA13: Stampeders sign non-import LB Yannick Carter.

Visit the league's official website at cfl.ca.

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A New Castle, Indiana, man's hunger for a cheeseburger landed him in jail. Gregory Jackson Sr. was so hungry this past Friday night, he called 911 to get it. Not just once, but nine times in about 90 minutes.

... This guy wasn't even at a burger restaurant, but the story reminded me of the woman who called 911 because Burger King wouldn't make her a Western Bacon Cheeseburger.

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Tampa, FL. — The Bucs will continue their longstanding relationships with one of their prestigious Pewter Partners, resulting in new incentives and giveaways for Tampa Bay fans.

Read the rest here.

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Good news: A literary scholar has found more than 50 unpublished poems by Rudyard Kipling. [Even better news: I'm out of school so I don't have to worry about memorizing them.]

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It's Jimmy the Beaver QB of the future!

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as the Sportscenter Top Ten, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1962 - Elvis Presley's "Good Luck Charm" was shipped with "Anything That's Part of You" as the B-side.

1963 - Elvis Presley had two dental crowns applied.

1970 - Elvis Presley began three days of performances at the Astrodome in Houston, TX. More than 200,000 people saw the shows.

1971 - Elvis Presley's album "Elvis Country (I'm 10,000 Years Old) hit #12 in the U.S.

1990 - Milli Vanilli's Rob Pilatus shared his perspective on life with Time magazine. In the interview he said, "Musically, we're more talented than any Bob Dylan or Paul McCartney. Mick Jagger can't produce a sound. I'm the new Elvis." 

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Ben Stiller is set to revisit his role as magician Tony Wonder in an upcoming episode of Arrested Development, which will resume on Netfix this May.

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Today in Beatles History:

1965 - "Beatles For Sale" hit number one on the U.K. Record Retailer chart.

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"People" magazine was first issued by Time-Life (later known as Time-Warner)on this date in 1974.

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Today in Sports History:

1908 - Major league baseball adopted a sacrifice fly rule for the first time. It was repealed, reinstated and then changed several times before being permanently accepted in 1954.

1912 - The New York Yankees announced that they would be wearing pinstripes on their uniforms.

1963 - Mickey Mantle signed a contact worth $100,000 with the New York Yankees.

1973 - Dick Allen (Chicago White Sox) signed a contract worth $250,000 a year for three years.

1977 - Stan Mikita (Chicago Blackhawks) scored his 500th goal.

1987 - The NCAA cancelled SMU's (Southern Methodist University) entire 1987 football schedule for gross violations of NCAA rules on athletic corruption.

1996 - The Chicago Bulls reached 50 victories in 56 games to set an NBA record.

2001 - The New Jersey Devils began a streak of 10 consecutive road wins to tie the NHL record.

2002 - The Houston Astros announced that they had struck a deal with Enron to buy back the naming rights of their ballpark for $2.1 million. The ballpark would be called "Astros Field" until a new sponsor came along.

2003 - Emmitt Smith became a free agent for the first time when the Dallas Cowboys released him.

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Don Cornelius received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on this date in 1997.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers 7:00pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 1:00pm EST

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Dollar General 200 Fueled By Amerigas at Phoenix International Raceway 4:30pm EST

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway 3:00pm EST

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!

It's Tuesday

It's Tuesday. Here's what's happening.

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Today is February 26th, the 56th day of 2013. There are 309 days left in the year.

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Clowe suspended two games for leaving bench.

Hasek's Heroes continue to help Buffalo youth.

Visit the official league website, http://www.nhl.com/.

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Today's Birthdays: Fats Domino is 85; Michael Bolton is 60; Erykah Badu is 42; Nate Ruess of fun. is 31.

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Tampa, FL. -- The Tampa Bay Lightning today announced the list of personnel and moments that will be honored in conjunction with the organization’s 20th anniversary celebration during home games February 26 through March 29. Select games will feature a special guest from the Lightning’s past who will be recognized in the arena and on Thunder Alley (West Plaza).

Read the rest here.

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The Oscars telecast was seen by 40.3 million people, a slight increase over last year's show. It was the most-watched Oscars telecast in three years.

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Quinnipiac University Stays No. 1 in USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men's College Hockey Poll

USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine 2012-13 Men's College Hockey Poll - #20(first-place votes in parentheses) Rank School Last Week's Ranking 2012-13 Record Weeks in Top 15 1 Quinnipiac University, 506 (30) 1 23-4-5 12 2 University of Minnesota, 471 (3) 2 21-6-5 21 3 Miami University, 447 (1) 3 21-8-5 21 4 Boston College, 406 4 18-8-3 21 5 University of New Hampshire, 368 5 17-8-5 18 6 University of North Dakota, 333 6 17-9-6 21 7 Minnesota State University, 261 9 20-9-3 8 8 Western Michigan University, 260 7 18-8-8 21 9 St. Cloud State University, 257 8 19-12-1 9 10 UMass-Lowell, 179 12 18-9-2 12 11 University of Denver, 166 10 16-10-5 21 12 University of Notre Dame, 134 11 19-12-3 21 13 Niagara University, 107 15 21-6-5 4 14 Yale University, 82 14 14-10-3 12 15 University of Nebraska-Omaha, 50 NR 18-12-2 12 Others receiving votes: Merrimack College, 24; Providence College, 12; Dartmouth College, 8; University of Wisconsin, 6; Boston University, 2; Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1. NOTES: Quinnipiac University takes the top spot in the poll for the third straight week ... Minnesota shared the preseason No. 1 with Boston College ... The Western Collegiate Hockey Association leads all conferences with six ranked programs this week. The Hockey East Association has three ranked teams while the Central Collegiate Hockey Association also boasts three ranked programs, ECAC Hockey has two ranked squads and Atlantic Hockey has one ranked representative ... A total of 21 teams received votes. ABOUT THE POLL: The 18th annual USA Today/USA Hockey Magazine Men’s College Hockey Poll is conducted each week in conjunction with the American Hockey Coaches Association. The poll includes input from coaches and journalists representing each of the five NCAA Division I ice hockey conferences, as well as composite votes from officers of the AHCA and USA Hockey Magazine, the most widely distributed hockey magazine in the world. U.S. Women's National Team Training Camp Roster Set A Total of 28 Athletes Vying to Make U.S. Women's National Team for Upcoming World Championship COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - USA Hockey announced today the 28 players invited to its U.S. Women's National Team training camp set to take place at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, N.Y., March 25-31. The camp will be used to determine the U.S. roster for the 2013 International Ice Hockey Federation Women's World Championship which will take place April 2-9 in Ottawa, Ontario. The camp will include daily practices, testing and off-ice training. The final 23-player U.S. Women's National Team roster is expected to be announced on March 30 and those selected will depart for Ottawa on March 31. The U.S. has won the gold medal in three of the previous four IIHF Women's World Championships, including 2008, 2009 and 2011 (the event is not staged in Olympic years). The camp roster includes 15 forwards, 10 defensemen and three goaltenders, a list that includes 12 Olympians. NOTES: For a complete preliminary roster, click here ... A total of 20 players from the U.S. Women's National Team that captured first place at the 2012 Four Nations Cup in Vantaa, Finland, and 16 members of the 2012 U.S. Women's National Team that earned silver at the 2012 IIHF Women's World Championship will be taking part in the camp .. Jincy Dunne (O'Fallon, Mo.) is the youngest player on the roster at 15-years old, while Julie Chu (Fairfield, Conn.) is the oldest at 30 ... Team USA has won four gold medals and 10 silvers in the 14 previous IIHF Women's World Championships. The U.S. has won four of the last six world championships (2005, 2008, 2009, 2011) ...Katey Stone (Arlington, Mass.) is the head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team and will also serve as the head coach of the 2014 U.S. Olympic Women's Ice Hockey Team.

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A Nepalese woman has officially entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the first female to scale Mount Everest twice in the same climbing season. She made it to the top May 12, and then went back to the top May 19. [To look for her car keys.]

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Rod Davis joins Stamps; Stewart, Armstead released.

Burke adds Carl Franks to Bombers coaching staff.

Visit the league's official website at cfl.ca.

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A new study suggests -- ready for this? -- missed or wrong diagnoses at the doctor's office puts thousands of patients at risk of complications each year. That's right, if your doctor thinks that, say, a burst appendix is just a tummy ache, you could be in trouble. Yep, someone spent money to study that.

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Tampa, FL. — Starting Monday, a Florida Lottery FANTASY 5® ticket of $5 more could also be a football fan's ticket to this year's draft in New York, and to other valuable Buccaneer-related prizes.

Read the rest here.

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This crook should have taken the pizza. In Wisconsin, a pizza delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint. The male suspect got away with $3.25 from the driver. The robber was arrested a short timer later.

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The Meissners. (Nice yawn Smoke!)

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You're reading the Johnny Blog. Almost as much fun as sitting through tornado warnings, isn't it?

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Today in Elvis History

1958 - Elvis Presley finished recording the song "Wear My Ring Around Your Neck." He added the piano part and guitar back-slap percussion part. The song was released in April 1958 with "Doncha' Think It's Time" as the flip side.

1964 - Elvis Presley arrived at Paramount to begin pre-production on the movie "Roustabout."

1966 - U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson visited Elvis Presley on the set of the movie "Spinout."

2007 - The 36-track "Readymade Digs Elvis" was released.

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TV TONIGHT: CELEBRITY WIFE SWAP - This new series (8p ET, ABC) is just like the original Wife Swap but with "celebrity" families. Up first are reality-TV stars Kate Gosselin (Kate Plus 8) and Kendra Wilkinson (The Girls Next Door, Kendra).

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Today in Beatles History:

1970 - The Beatles album "Beatles Again" was released in the U.S. It contained the song "Hey Jude."

1987 - Capitol Records released the first four Beatles albums on CD.

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For fans of the former Fox sitcom Arrested Development, the show's coming return on Netflix has been like an 8-year-old's wait for Christmas. But Monday the company announced it will only be doing a single season of the show.

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Today in Sports History:

1935 - The New York Yankees released Babe Ruth. Ruth signed with the Boston Braves for $20,000 and a share in the team's profits.

1981 - Edgar F. Kaiser, Jr. purchased the Denver Broncos from Gerald and Allan Phillips.

1985 - Julius Erving (Philadelphia 76ers) became the third on the NBA's all-time scoring list.

1989 - The New York Yankees announced that Tom Seaver would be their new TV sportscaster.

1997 - Philadelphia's "Legion of Doom" line scored 15 points against the Ottawa Senators.

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A ground-breaking ceremony was held at Crissy Field for the Golden Gate Bridge on this date in 1933.

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Coming Up:

Tonight --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres 7:30pm EST

Wednesday --

Nothin' Doin'

Thursday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at New York Rangers 7:00pm EST

Friday --

Nothin' Doin'

Saturday --

NHL Hockey -- Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins 1:00pm EST

Nascar Nationwide Series -- Dollar General 200 Fueled By Amerigas at Phoenix International Raceway 4:30pm EST

Sunday --

Nascar Sprint Cup Series -- Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway 3:00pm EST

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That's all for today. Thanks for stopping by, see you tomorrow!