Racing for Ratings: After a Six-Year Absence, ESPN Returns to NASCAR Ready to Give Fox a Run for Its Money.
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By Jim Pedley, The Kansas City Star, Mo.  Feb. 18--DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- You hear the phrase "we play to win," like, every 40 seconds around a racetrack.   But when the phrase was used in the Daytona International Speedway infield a couple of days ago, people took notice.
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The question&#39;s been asked ever since NASCAR&#39;s Chase for the Nextel Cup began. Who is the favorite? Whom do experts believe is going to win?
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Former Washington Redskins coach Steve Spurrier told Florida officials yesterday that he is interested in returning to coach his alma mater, and the school has given him two weeks to decide whether he wants the job, ESPN.
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NASCAR returned to its roots Wednesday by lifting a ban on liquor ads on cars, opening the door for teams to be sponsored next season by distilled spirits.
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The real wild card for Fox on Sunday night wasn't the NFL playoffs but the return of its signature drama "24." The real-time thriller didn't disappoint the network, posting strong numbers for its two-hour fourth-season premiere.
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With zero titles in an otherwise storied career, Mark Martin again heads into the Chase for the championship as the sentimental favorite. This is supposed to be his final full-time season, his last chance to make a desperate grab at an elusive NASCAR crown.
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SATURDAY AUTO RACING 3 p.m. -- Craftsman Truck Series: Michigan 200, Speed 5 p.m. -- Busch Series: Meijer 300 pole qualifying, ESPN2
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NASCAR will use a shortened weekend schedule for the Nextel Cup series at most of its events next season in an effort to save money for teams.
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After the crash that nearly killed him, Jerry Nadeau set a goal of returning to racing at the 2005 Daytona 500. But it hasn't worked out.
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The business of racing did not stop Monday at the massive Hendrick Motorsports complex here. But as staff members returned to work to prepare for the coming Nascar
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The Belmont Stakes is leaving NBC to return to ABC in 2006, ending a television partnership with the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes.
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ESPN announced yesterday the signing of Rick Reilly, whose contract with Sports Illustrated expires at the end of November, to write the back-page column in ESPN the Magazine and to deliver essays on âSportsCenterâ during its golf coverage.Reilly said he succumbed to ESPN after rejecting offers 5 and 10 years ago. âThe money was ridiculous,â he said in a news media conference call. âThis is an itch Iâve always wanted to scratch, to take my voice to a different place.â Despite being on TV regularly with one-minute commentaries, he said ESPN wanted him for his column. âBelieve me, with this nose, I know whatâs best for me,â he said.
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By Michael Hiestand  Tonight, ESPN has an opportunity: show that TV sports can deal with real-life epics.  ESPN lavishes Super Bowl-like pregame shows on all its Monday night NFL games this season.
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NEW YORK  - When ESPN signed on 25  years ago Tuesday, "SportsCenter" was the first thing viewers  saw.
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PageSix - BEGINNING in 2007,   Fox will televise the   Bowl Championship Series, which crowns college football's national champion.
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The New Orleans Saints' return home to the Superdome on Monday night drew the highest rating ever for ESPN and was the highest-rated program of the night on any network, broadcast or cable.
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NASCAR&#39;s new playoff-style championship format has delivered nearly everything its proponents promised: more intense racing, higher television ratings and a tight title race heading into Sunday&#39;s season finale.