Bleacher Report - Articles by Clint Bryant

Year in Review: 2008

Clint Bryant — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 08:32:09 -0500

From Boston to China, 2008 was memorable. The Giants toppled the Patriots, the Celtics silenced the critics and Michael Phelps stole the show at the Olympics. Jimmie Johnson did the unthinkable and Tiger's year was cut short. The Phillies returned to World Series glory while the Kansas Jayhawks cut the nets. Nadal overcame Federer and LSU handed Ohio State yet another Championship game loss. There were some of the headlines, now let us look back at the sights from the previous year in sports.

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ACC Top 5 Power Rankings: December 13, 2008

Clint Bryant — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 07:21:57 -0500

The heart of the ACC basketball schedule is coming up and the usual suspects are at the top of the totem pole. The question is who can stay on top and keep momentum going through the winter to get to March.

1. North Carolina:

North Carolina has all the talent and team chemistry to have a championship season. Tyler Hansborough returns this season, but has been recovering from a few injuries that has hampered him through the beginning of the season. Anything less than the NCAA championship will be a disappointment for this crew.

2. Duke

Duke has lived in North Carolina's shadow the last few years, but hopes to topple the giant this year. They have made a few adjustments this year and look strong.

3. Wake Forest

Wake is young and strong when they do not have injuries in key positions. If they stay strong, they could contend for the ACC crown in the ACC Championship.

4. Clemson

Oliver Purnell has improved this Tiger team every year since he has been the head coach. Last year they finally achieved the goal of making the NCAA tourney, but was eliminated in the first round.

5. Miami

The Hurricane's started the season in the top 25, but have lost two games before January. But do not lose hope, these losses were against good opponents, not the pushovers a lot of their conference mates are playing.

Does NASCAR Have Hope for the Future?

Clint Bryant — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 15:03:36 -0500

Bobby Labonte came to Petty Enterprises to put the famous No. 43 back on top. Two mergers and one recession later, there is no guarantee the King's old ride will be at Daytona.

NASCAR...

The place where automakers put their name and logo on cars, teams, drivers and watch as they ride inches apart, hoping to bring glory to the brand and buyers to the lots.

"Win on Sunday; sell on Monday." That was the motto.

Today, NASCAR teams have to face the possibility that the manufacturers may not be there for the Hendricks and Roushs to lean on for factory support.

Sponsors are cutting back as well. Texaco has been a part of NASCAR for years, with names such as Allison, Jarrett, Rudd...gone. Big names such as Ganassi, Earnhardt, Petty, and Evernham all looking to merge just to survive.

With all these obstacles, how can NASCAR fans look to the future with any sense of hope? Because of one reason...

NASCAR is the only major sport in the world that is not about the money. Does it require money? Sure, but the people in the NASCAR world are not driven by money.

This week, Jeff Gordon gladly said he would take a pay cut in order to help out the team. Do you see Kobe Bryant telling the Lakers management to dock his pay to help out the team's books? No way.

NASCAR drivers do what they do because they love it. They would do it for free, and many of them have early in their career.

Racing each week at the local short track out of your own pocket isn't cheap. This kind of commitment is what keep the fans coming and this is the hope and future of NASCAR.

Thank you Jeff Gordon;, you have set the example. Now the rest of the big name drivers need to follow. Let's go racing, boys.

Leaving Mighty For Mediocre? Tony Stewart To Make His Move

Clint Bryant — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 02:11:42 -0400

It is widely rumored that in 2009, two time Sprint Cup Champion Tony Stewart will leave the NASCAR powerhouse Joe Gibbs Racing for one of the cars of Haas Racing.

Huh?

If one looks at the facts, leaving JGR makes little sense. Tony has earned two championships, 32 wins, and enjoys one of the most stable, consistent driver/crew chief relationships in NASCAR history. Stewart has been with Gibbs since his rookie season in 1999. Does Tony have no loyalty? Is he unhappy? Is HE CRAZY?

No.

It all started last season when the rumors began that Joe Gibbs Racing would move from Chevrolet to Toyota. Stewart, a long time Chevrolet man, was quiet about the move—too quiet. So as 2008 moved along, the rumors surfaced that Tony Stewart was looking. But what was he looking for?

For all that Tony Stewart is, he is a competitor. If you read the headlines closely, you will find out that he is not just going to drive for Haas, he is becoming part owner.

Stewart Haas Racing will be the Tony Stewart we come to remember. As he finishes his career here—successfully I might add—he will take on the challenge of becoming one of the elite owners in NASCAR. His teams will grow to battle the Hendricks and Roush teams on into the middle of the 21st century.

Along with a much wanted reunion with Chevrolet, this move is more about the Tony of the future than the Tony of right now. While the move seems like a risky move for the driver, for Tony the owner, it makes all the sense in the world.