Grubb named Hamlin's new crew chief

Autoracing Betting Lines

12/09/2011 - Huntersville, NC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Darian Grubb has joined Joe Gibbs Racing to serve as crew chief for Denny Hamlin's No.11 Toyota team in the Sprint Cup Series, the team announced Friday.

JGR's announcement of Grubb comes three days after Mike Ford was released from his crew chief duties with the team. Ford had served as Hamlin's crew chief since his rookie season in 2006. They made the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship in each of the past six seasons.

Hamlin finished the 2010 season second in points and scored a series-high eight wins. He had only one victory this year, placing ninth in the Chase.

Grubb guided Tony Stewart to his third championship in NASCAR's premier series this season. Stewart won five of the 10 Chase races to capture the title. Halfway through the Chase, Grubb was informed that he would not be back with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2012.

"I'm thrilled to join Joe Gibbs Racing," Grubb said in a team statement. "The chance to work with Denny is something I'm excited about. When you sit down with Joe and J.D. Gibbs, you can't help but be excited about this opportunity and the team aspects of JGR. There is no question about the level of support you get here, and I'm looking forward to working with everyone across the entire organization."

Grubb, who became a first-time championship-winning crew chief, had been with Stewart's No.14 Chevrolet team since the inception of SHR in 2009. He helped the team to 11 wins and 59 top-10 finishes over that time.

Prior to his role with Stewart's team, Grubb worked for Hendrick Motorsports from 2001-08. He served as interim crew chief for Jimmie Johnson during the first four races of the 2006 season, winning two of those races -- including the Daytona 500.

"Darian is a great addition to our organization and person to lead our No.11 FedEx team," team owner Joe Gibbs said. "Obviously, he has proven the ability to guide a team to a championship, and we are excited to have him working with Denny toward achieving that goal here at Joe Gibbs Racing."

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2007 NFL Football Betting Preview


“You play to win the game!”

Those are the words of notoriously intense head coach Herman Edwards. Unfortunately, from a bettors’ perspective, most coaches don’t feel that way about the NFL preseason. August is a time to evaluate young players, finalize the depth chart and pray your star players stay healthy.

The trick to making money during the exhibition schedule is identifying coaches – like Edwards – who can’t stand losing even when there's nothing on the line.

The New York Jets betting won 15 of 21 preseason games and went 14-7 against the spread (ATS) during Edwards’s five-year tenure with the club. In his first season as the Kansas City Chiefs field boss, the team improved from 0-4 to 2-2.

Identifying win-a-holics like Edwards is a good start if you plan betting the preseason – even though most say you shouldn’t ... but what the hell do they know anyway?

Here’s a brief rundown of two teams that have a habit of winning during the second-stringers’ season, and another club that has a good chance of exceeding this year.

New York Giants betting lines

Playing in the media hub of North America can be stressful but the press can’t write anything negative about the way Tom Coughlin’s boys play in the preseason. The Giants won and covered all four games last summer, improving their record to 7-1 both straight up (SU) and against the spread over the last two years.

Coughlin has shown he’s not afraid to give his starters more time in the second preseason game than most of his colleagues, no doubt one of the reasons his team has been so dominant.

Dallas Cowboys betting lines

Bettors can count on America’s team early on. The Cowboys are 14-6 both SU and ATS since 2002 in warm-up contests. Former coach Bill Parcells, the coach of the team the last four years, has an intimidating, in-your-face presence – surely a reason Dallas has had so much early success.

The Big Tuna won’t be strolling the sidelines with looks of disgust, but new coach Wade Phillips will be anxious to make a good first impression for owner Jerry Jones.

Dallas plays the Indianapolis Colts and the Denver Broncos before things get serious. They then face the Houston Texans in their third contest (the game starters see most game time) and finish off with the Minnesota Vikings.

Expect a Dallas team able to walk away with another 3-1 preseason record.

Oakland Raiders betting lines

This team scored a league-worst 12 offensive touchdowns last season, so the rookies and veterans each have something to prove. There’s a bounty of first-unit jobs up for grabs and plenty of bodies competing for those slots.

First-time head coach Lane Kiffin will be eager to impress an owner who employs the philosophy, “Just win, baby!”

The 32-year-old Kiffin has to command respect from a locker room full of players older than him. All of these factors should lead to purpose in preseason. 

Don’t forget: before playing like a team that belonged in NFL Europe, Oakland went 4-1 (both SU and ATS) in exhibition games.

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