DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Denny Hamlin won a race of attrition Saturday night, beating just seven other cars to the finish of the exhibition Sprint Unlimited. Only eight cars were running at the end of the 75-lap showcase at Daytona International Speedway on a bizarre night that saw Ricky Stenhouse Jr. end girlfriend Danica Patricks race and the Chevrolet pace car catch fire. "When you think youve seen it all, then you see that. Its never-ending," second-place finisher Brad Keselowski said about the pace car fire. "I thought it was race car. Someone said it was the pace car, and I couldnt help but start laughing." It was Hamlin who got the last laugh, winning the opening race of Speedweeks for the second time in his career. The victory proved that Hamlin has finally fully recovered from the fractured vertebra that cost him five races last season and caused him to struggle for months after his return. But he closed out the year with a victory -- his only win of 2013 -- in the season finale, and made that momentum last over the off-season. "The best car won, thats for sure," he said. "Were two in a row now." The third and final segment was a 20-lap sprint to the finish, and it had the second fewest number of drivers taking the checkered flag in event history. Only seven drivers finished the 1981 race. Hamlin charged to the front right before he took the white flag by diving to the inside and sailing past the few cars on the track. He then drove away in his Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. "That was survival of the fittest for sure," said Hamlin, also the winner as a rookie in 2006. "With three to go, we were at the tail end of a very small pack. Its really hard to get runs, but this car was phenomenal. You saw it those last couple of laps." This years race had a heavy fan involvement as sponsor Sprint allowed fans to vote for various aspects of the race. Among them was the starting order, how the segments were split and how the cars lined up in the final segment. But it was mostly for naught as half the 18-car field was knocked out six laps into the second segment when Matt Kenseth cut across the front of Joey Logano. It triggered a nine-car accident on the frontstretch -- including Stenhouses dramatic late hit into the side of Patricks car. "I got hit by my boyfriend. What a bummer," Patrick said. Stenhouse took blame for ending Patricks race. He had difficulty seeing in front of him because his hood was badly crumpled when he hit the back of Kurt Busch. "I just drilled her," Stenhouse said. "I didnt see anything from the time it started to the time it ended. Talking to Danica, I drilled her when she was pretty much sitting still. I couldnt see, couldnt turn." The accident left debris and mangled sheet metal all over the frontstretch and brought the race to a stop for just over 11 minutes. It ended the night for Tony Stewart, who was racing for the first time since he broke his right leg in an August sprint car crash, and teammates Patrick and Kurt Busch. Kevin Harvick, driving the fourth Stewart-Haas Racing entry in the field, seemed to have a Chevrolet capable of contending for the win but suffered serious damage that dropped him well off the pace. Stewart said he felt physically fine after the hard hit, which left his car turned nose-first into the wall. Jeff Gordons car was stuck behind Stewarts with its rear wheels raised by the front of Buschs car. "I was a little nervous ... but it doesnt feel bad at all," Stewart said. "I dont have any pain. Well see when the adrenaline wears off. But so far, everything feels really good. Im pretty happy with it." Kenseth, whose changing of lanes triggered the accident, said he had no idea Logano was on his inside when he moved. "Honestly, I had no idea anybody was inside of me," Kenseth said. "I feel bad all of those cars got wrecked."
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Herman Edwards Eagles Jersey . Head coach Lindy Ruff confirmed on Sunday that his starting goalie has a head injury and the team will take it day by day.ALAMEDA, Calif. - Oakland Raiders defensive end LaMarr Woodley has a serious biceps injury and could miss the remainder of the season.Woodley has not practiced since getting injured in Sundays 24-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals. Interim coach Tony Sparano wouldnt discuss the specific nature of Woodleys situation but acknowledged it is a long-term injury.Yeah, its long-term, Sparano said Thursday. Im not going to sit here and tell you its not. Well make that announcement here whenever were ready to make it. We dont have to do that but for me to sit here and tell you its not (serious), no, I cant do that.The 29-year-old Woodley was one of the Raiders prized acquisitions this past off-season. He and fellow defensive end Justin Tuck were signed to lucrative deals as part of general manager Reggie McKenzies plan to bring in veterans with championship experience.It hasnt worked out so well for winless Oakland.Woodley has five tackles in six games and is without a sack. Tuck has 12 tackles and one sack but has been slowed by a knee injury.Oaklands defence in general has struggled despite McKenzies efforts to revamp the unit.The Raiders head into Sundays home game at Cleveland ranked 22nd in total defence and 29th against the run. Theyre last in third-down efficiency and have just six sacks — only three by defensive linemen.Losing Woodley is just the latest setback for a defence that appeared to be much improved coming out of training camp.C.J. Wilson and Benson Mayowa will likely split playing time while filling in for Woodley. Wilson leads the Raiders with two sacks.More guys are going to get an opportunity, defensive co-ordinator Jason Tarver said. Some of them haveent been able to show what they can do yet.dddddddddddd Its a good opportunity for them.Benson went in and did some good things. He set edges well, he affected the quarterback some in that game, so it was good to see him step up into that role.How long Woodley — who inked a two-year deal worth $12 million — is out is uncertain, though Sparanos tone and demeanour made it sound as if the veteran defender will be gone a significant amount of time, if not the entire season.Partially torn biceps have an average recovery time of three to four weeks. Full tears requiring surgery require three to four months.Defensively throughout this year its been next man up and thats what it is, Tarver said. Were going to have to roll guys (in) but the physicality, somebodys going to have to step up. Well see who that is.Mayowa had been getting work in as a backup to Tuck before sliding to defensive end when Woodley went out against the Cardinals. He was in on 34 defensive plays against Arizona and another 15 on special teams.Thats more snaps than Ive ever had, Mayowa said. I knew I was going to take more snaps but I didnt know I was going to take that many. Unfortunately, Woodley went down so I had to step up.Sparano expects to use a rotation of players in Woodleys place.Notes: With Khalif Barnes back at practice this week, the Raiders have been experimenting with Menelik Watson at left tackle. Watson, a second-round draft pick in 2013, started the previous two games at right tackle while Barnes recovered from a quad injury. ... CB Carlos Rogers (knee) was limited in practice after sitting out Wednesday.___AP NFL website:
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