Northwest Tennessee has had its share of economic heartache in America’s 2011 tough times. The region’s largest employer, Goodyear Tire and Rubber, announced the closing of its Union City radial tire plant, leaving 1,900 unemployed. World Color Press, Inc. stopped the presses in Dyersburg earlier in 2011, costing 668 people their livelihoods. The plant, which printed many glossy full color national magazines, was Dyersburg’s largest employer. “A friend recently observed that the first decade of the 21st century will go down as a kidney stone of a decade for the American economy,” said Allen Hester, CEO of the Dyersburg-Dyer County Chamber of Commerce. It’s not all gloom and doom in the region. Hester says NSK Steering Systems plans to double the size of their facility to 200,000 square feet and add 180 new jobs. “We’ve got some expansions going and prospects simmering right under the surface that I can’t talk about yet,” Hester told Action News 5.
A new book entitled Images of America: Dyersburg may remind Dyer County’s 37,698 residents of the economic resilience of their community in days gone by. Bonnie Daws Kourvelas, a producer of public television documentaries about Memphis history and a video creator for shipping giant FedEx, says a Facebook page called “Grew Up in Milltown, Dyersburg, TN,” inspired her to write the 126 page book that features dozens of historic photographs of the Dyer County seat. The author’s mother grew up in Dyersburg and Kourvelas says she made countless trips to the community as a child. While viewing the Dyersburg Facebook photos one day, Kourvelas said, “I had one of those eureka moments: this would make a great Arcadia book!”
The leading local history publisher in the United States, Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series strives to preserve and celebrate local history and make it meaningful and accessible. Kourvelas says she began working on the book and made many more trips up U.S. 51 from Memphis but the first one back was her favorite. “I had forgotten how pretty the town square is, and the court house with its clock tower reminds me of the one in the movie, Back to the Future. I wandered around just staring at everything and recalling childhood memories,” Kourvelas told Action News 5.
One of the greatest challenges of creating the book was finding photos featuring the inside of the town’s cotton mill; the long closed Dyersburg Cotton Products. Ultimately employing 1,500, the mill opened in 1929, the start of the Great Depression, and the structure survived until 2007 when it burned to the ground. In the intervening years, four generations of Northwest Tennessee families took their living from the mill which made cotton sweaters, long johns, cotton gloves, and the first knitted fleece fabric.
Kourvelas credits Dyersburg native Gaylon Reasons and Danny Walden of the Dyer County Historical Society with helping her dig through the community’s history, finally hitting pay dirt with a treasure trove of preserved photos from the mill saved by a former employee named Billy Parmenter. “It is people like Billy who are heroes to me,” Kourvelas said, “if it weren’t for people like him, there wouldn’t BE any historical documentaries or books.”
Farming creates the largest economic impact in Dyer County, according to Chamber executive Hester. But the county is home to major industrial employers such as Sara Lee US Foods (850 employees) , ERMCO, an electric transformer maker (576 employees) and Briggs and Stratton, maker of powered yard products (571 employees), to name a few. The Chamber recently celebrated new business openings at Chick Fil A, Burke’s Outlet, Big Lots and has cut ribbons on 22 new or relocating small businesses in the first half of 2011. Efforts are underway to renew Downtown Dyersburg as well as development of a Forked Deer River park, complete with a floating dock to launch canoes and kayaks. The Chamber leader says the business community is encouraging those who want to open a Farmer’s Market, a nature trail and a walking trail in Dyersburg.
2011年7月27日星期三
2011年5月22日星期日
BMW 328 Hommage Concept Debuts at Villa d’Este 2011
The BMW 328 is considered the most successful and best-looking sports car of the 1930s. The BMW 328’s success was the result of its design through the use of systematic lightweight construction, aerodynamic lines, opti-mum engine types and outstanding suspension technology. These historical facts have laid the foundation stone for a new vehicle concept following its 75th birthday.
The festivities started near Lake Como at the Mille Miglia. There, the main focus was on the fascination of the BMW 328 racing car. To this day, the award-winning vehicle BMW 328 Touring Coupé still holds the record for the highest average speed on the Mille Miglia circuit and, in 2010, was again able to win the historic revival of the race.
Yesterday at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the two-seater’s functional aesthetics will be the focus of attention. In this area of conflict between tradition and modernity, BMW is paying tribute to the BMW 328 on the occasion of its anniversary with a special model – the BMW 328 Hommage.
Based on the Vision Connected Drive Concept revealed in Geneva, the 328 Hommage is a modern interpretation of the celebrating classic sports car from the 1930s. The looks of the vehicle combine the distinctive diagonal carbon fiber weave, the 328 Hommage focuses on lightweight construction through carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The result is a gross vehicle weight of only 780 kilograms.
Fine leather, matt and high-gloss black polished alu-minium as well as CFRP make up the interior. The vertically positioned double kidney grille imitates the slim, vertical kidney design of the early BMW models. In those days, the BMW 328 was one of the first BMWs to feature it, after which it became further established with later BMW models.
The festivities started near Lake Como at the Mille Miglia. There, the main focus was on the fascination of the BMW 328 racing car. To this day, the award-winning vehicle BMW 328 Touring Coupé still holds the record for the highest average speed on the Mille Miglia circuit and, in 2010, was again able to win the historic revival of the race.
Yesterday at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este, the two-seater’s functional aesthetics will be the focus of attention. In this area of conflict between tradition and modernity, BMW is paying tribute to the BMW 328 on the occasion of its anniversary with a special model – the BMW 328 Hommage.
Based on the Vision Connected Drive Concept revealed in Geneva, the 328 Hommage is a modern interpretation of the celebrating classic sports car from the 1930s. The looks of the vehicle combine the distinctive diagonal carbon fiber weave, the 328 Hommage focuses on lightweight construction through carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The result is a gross vehicle weight of only 780 kilograms.
Fine leather, matt and high-gloss black polished alu-minium as well as CFRP make up the interior. The vertically positioned double kidney grille imitates the slim, vertical kidney design of the early BMW models. In those days, the BMW 328 was one of the first BMWs to feature it, after which it became further established with later BMW models.
2011年3月28日星期一
Breaking Brad: March 28
On the news I thought I was watching a defendant walking into court holding his hands over his face so the cameras can't see him. Turns out it was Dana Altman arriving in Omaha for tonight's CBI game.
How awkward does Dana Altman feel playing Creighton in Omaha tonight? The only thing more awkward would be if Trev Alberts and Mike Denney somehow ended up sharing the same cab.
A woman was arrested at Boston Airport for smuggling cocaine inside a diaper. Initially airport security began by asking her why she was wearing a diaper. Of course the correct response should have been, "Have you been in an airliner bathroom?"
In Oakland the first "cannabis college" has opened; it's an actual university devoted to the use and science of marijuana. This sets up a good news/bad news scenario for parents. "Mom, Dad - good news. I was accepted into college. Now the bad news..."
How about all those upsets and Cinderella stories? Butler made it into the Final Four, VCU made the Final Four, Richmond made it into the Sweet 16, a victorious coalition military campaign was led by the French ...
A few weeks ago if someone told you that today Ohio State and Kansas would be done for the season and Creighton would still be playing basketball you would've had them committed.
Kentucky made the Final Four. The big concern now is that several of the players will turn pro before the title game.
On the heels of the no-fly zone there's an effort to create a "no-drive zone" in Libya. In order to make it literally impossible to drive anywhere, President Obama is going to put the Omaha Public Works Department in charge of Libyan street maintenance.
Another new goal in Libya — make it impossible for the leaders to communicate. So President Obama is switching all their calling plans to Verizon.
On April 15, a Civil War demonstration in Kearney is going to feature an "Abraham Lincoln impersonator." How lame are our elected leaders going to seem after we've been exposed to an Abraham Lincoln impersonator? You go from, "Four score and seven years ago" to "I hereby demand a 10 cent per roll toilet paper tax."
Over the weekend, Earth Hour was held to promote the environment. A very popular event. So many turned out for a ceremony in Brazil, 10 acres of the rain forest had to be leveled to create parking.
For Earth Hour, cities went dark for 60 minutes to encourage people to refrain from using non-essential electricity. Then at 8:30 everyone returned to their Play Stations, crawled under their electric blankets and played video poker on their 100,000 megabyte computers with "power boost."
We've learned from the Messenger rover that daytime temperatures on Mercury average 840 degrees F and nighttime temps dip down to -356 F. In Omaha we call temperature shifts that dramatic "spring."
Dan Quayle said there's no reason President Obama can't play golf and run the country at the same time. Then Quayle attempted to demonstrate by walking and chewing gum at the same time, but screwed up and had to start over.
According to a man-on-the-street survey, 29 percent of people in this country could not name the vice president. In these surveys people keep getting dumber. Where does it end? In 2025 when according to a survey 17 percent of Americans don't know their own names?
A fire broke out at the Miami airport as a flight was boarding. Fortunately because it was Miami, 95 percent of passengers were old enough for pre-boarding and were already on the plane.
There's more fallout over that sleeping air traffic controller at Ronald Reagan Airport. Here's my question: Why was there only one controller on duty at a major international airport? Last night I went to 7-Eleven and there were six guys behind the counter.
Singer Chris Brown trashed a room backstage at "Good Morning America." You know how derivative early morning TV is. Now Brown has been invited to trash rooms at the "Today" show and "CBS Morning Show."
A small meteorite crashed through the ceiling of an examination room at a Virginia medical office. Ironically, when the meteorite crashed into the room at 3,000 miles per hour a patient was passing a kidney stone. "What the heck?"
According to a new study exercising or having sex can increase your chance of having a heart attack in the next few hours. This is expected to greatly reduce the number of Americans who exercise.
Detroit's population has dropped 25 percent in the past decade. Here's the really embarrassing thing for Detroit — lots of the people who left moved to Cleveland.
ABC is reportedly on the brink of canceling the soap "All My Children" which has been on the air 41 years. Which I think makes it the newest soap opera on television.
London may be getting a Harry Potter-themed hotel. This will address the acute shortage of Harry Potter-esque things in the world today.
How awkward does Dana Altman feel playing Creighton in Omaha tonight? The only thing more awkward would be if Trev Alberts and Mike Denney somehow ended up sharing the same cab.
A woman was arrested at Boston Airport for smuggling cocaine inside a diaper. Initially airport security began by asking her why she was wearing a diaper. Of course the correct response should have been, "Have you been in an airliner bathroom?"
In Oakland the first "cannabis college" has opened; it's an actual university devoted to the use and science of marijuana. This sets up a good news/bad news scenario for parents. "Mom, Dad - good news. I was accepted into college. Now the bad news..."
How about all those upsets and Cinderella stories? Butler made it into the Final Four, VCU made the Final Four, Richmond made it into the Sweet 16, a victorious coalition military campaign was led by the French ...
A few weeks ago if someone told you that today Ohio State and Kansas would be done for the season and Creighton would still be playing basketball you would've had them committed.
Kentucky made the Final Four. The big concern now is that several of the players will turn pro before the title game.
On the heels of the no-fly zone there's an effort to create a "no-drive zone" in Libya. In order to make it literally impossible to drive anywhere, President Obama is going to put the Omaha Public Works Department in charge of Libyan street maintenance.
Another new goal in Libya — make it impossible for the leaders to communicate. So President Obama is switching all their calling plans to Verizon.
On April 15, a Civil War demonstration in Kearney is going to feature an "Abraham Lincoln impersonator." How lame are our elected leaders going to seem after we've been exposed to an Abraham Lincoln impersonator? You go from, "Four score and seven years ago" to "I hereby demand a 10 cent per roll toilet paper tax."
Over the weekend, Earth Hour was held to promote the environment. A very popular event. So many turned out for a ceremony in Brazil, 10 acres of the rain forest had to be leveled to create parking.
For Earth Hour, cities went dark for 60 minutes to encourage people to refrain from using non-essential electricity. Then at 8:30 everyone returned to their Play Stations, crawled under their electric blankets and played video poker on their 100,000 megabyte computers with "power boost."
We've learned from the Messenger rover that daytime temperatures on Mercury average 840 degrees F and nighttime temps dip down to -356 F. In Omaha we call temperature shifts that dramatic "spring."
Dan Quayle said there's no reason President Obama can't play golf and run the country at the same time. Then Quayle attempted to demonstrate by walking and chewing gum at the same time, but screwed up and had to start over.
According to a man-on-the-street survey, 29 percent of people in this country could not name the vice president. In these surveys people keep getting dumber. Where does it end? In 2025 when according to a survey 17 percent of Americans don't know their own names?
A fire broke out at the Miami airport as a flight was boarding. Fortunately because it was Miami, 95 percent of passengers were old enough for pre-boarding and were already on the plane.
There's more fallout over that sleeping air traffic controller at Ronald Reagan Airport. Here's my question: Why was there only one controller on duty at a major international airport? Last night I went to 7-Eleven and there were six guys behind the counter.
Singer Chris Brown trashed a room backstage at "Good Morning America." You know how derivative early morning TV is. Now Brown has been invited to trash rooms at the "Today" show and "CBS Morning Show."
A small meteorite crashed through the ceiling of an examination room at a Virginia medical office. Ironically, when the meteorite crashed into the room at 3,000 miles per hour a patient was passing a kidney stone. "What the heck?"
According to a new study exercising or having sex can increase your chance of having a heart attack in the next few hours. This is expected to greatly reduce the number of Americans who exercise.
Detroit's population has dropped 25 percent in the past decade. Here's the really embarrassing thing for Detroit — lots of the people who left moved to Cleveland.
ABC is reportedly on the brink of canceling the soap "All My Children" which has been on the air 41 years. Which I think makes it the newest soap opera on television.
London may be getting a Harry Potter-themed hotel. This will address the acute shortage of Harry Potter-esque things in the world today.
2011年3月27日星期日
Fruits for weight loss
Kiwi: Tiny but mighty, and a good source of potassium, magnesium, vitamin E and fiber. Its vitamin C content is twice that of an orange.
Apple. Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.
Strawberry. Also known as protective fruit because strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
Oranges. Two to four oranges may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Watermelon. Coolest thirst quencher this summer. Composed of 92 percent water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. Watermelons are also a good source of lycopene, the cancer-fighting oxidant. Also found in watermelon is Vitamin C and potassium.
Guava and Papaya. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, good for your eyes.
Researchers also said that drinking cold water after a meal could lead to cancer. Though it is refreshing to have a cold drink after a meal, however, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff of the food which slows digestion.
Once this reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
Apple. Although an apple has a low vitamin C content, it has antioxidants and flavonoids which enhances the activity of vitamin C, thereby helping to lower the risk of colon cancer, heart attack and stroke.
Strawberry. Also known as protective fruit because strawberries have the highest total antioxidant power among major fruits and protect the body from cancer-causing, blood vessel-clogging free radicals.
Oranges. Two to four oranges may help keep colds away, lower cholesterol, prevent and dissolve kidney stones, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Watermelon. Coolest thirst quencher this summer. Composed of 92 percent water, it is also packed with a giant dose of glutathione, which helps boost our immune system. Watermelons are also a good source of lycopene, the cancer-fighting oxidant. Also found in watermelon is Vitamin C and potassium.
Guava and Papaya. They are the clear winners for their high vitamin C content. Guava is also rich in fiber, which helps prevent constipation. Papaya is rich in carotene, good for your eyes.
Researchers also said that drinking cold water after a meal could lead to cancer. Though it is refreshing to have a cold drink after a meal, however, the cold water will solidify the oily stuff of the food which slows digestion.
Once this reacts with the acid, it will break down and be absorbed by the intestine faster than the solid food. It will line the intestine. Very soon, this will turn into fats and lead to cancer It is best to drink hot soup or warm water after a meal.
2011年3月14日星期一
R.I.P. Cloe the Snow Leopard: All Big Cats Go To Heaven
Several months ago, I wrote about Cloe, the magnificent snow leopard, living at the loving
sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, who was treated for kidney stones with
lithotripsy.
Unfortunately, the day my husband and I visited Big Cat Rescue, the weather was extremely hot
and humid. Cloe was ensconced in her air-conditioned den, napping away the afternoon. While I
was deeply disappointed that I didn't get to meet Cloe, I often thought about her and hoped
that on my next trip I would have the opportunity to visit her.
So I was deeply saddened the other day to learn that Cloe had died shortly before her 14th
birthday. Even though the choice was difficult, since Cloe was suffering from kidney failure,
having her put to sleep was the final gift of love Carole Baskin, the founder of Big Cat
Rescue, could give this beautiful cat. According to Carole, Cloe had lived longer than most
snow leopards. Along with the sadness of Cloe's death, the words Carole wrote soon after the
snow leopard passed touched me so deeply I felt compelled to share them here.
"I shut off the snow leopard cave air conditioner for the last time tonight- 3/8/11. Cloe the
snow leopard had just left her exquisite body and was bound for that place where all good
cats go when they die. As I walked into the office, the chorus of lions stopped me in my
tracks to listen. An over-sized butterfly began circling me and then perched on a branch
right above my head for a long moment, before disappearing high into the boughs of the tree
and darkening sky. I felt it was Cloe; happy to finally be free and wanted to share the
moment with you. She kept circling before stopping to say, 'good-bye', and leaving. Thank
you, everyone, for giving her, and all of these cats, the best lives possible."
The ability to love that deeply is truly a precious gift that should never be taken for
granted. At the same time, it is always risky for us to allow our hearts to open to an animal
and share that special bond. For at the precise moment we open to that love, we also open to
the grief we will eventually suffer when that animal dies.
It doesn't really matter if the beloved animal is a dog, cat, bird or fish, or any other
member of the animal kingdom. When we have been blessed with such a joyful relationship, we
cannot avoid the extraordinary pain and sadness that comes at the time of loss.
sanctuary, Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida, who was treated for kidney stones with
lithotripsy.
Unfortunately, the day my husband and I visited Big Cat Rescue, the weather was extremely hot
and humid. Cloe was ensconced in her air-conditioned den, napping away the afternoon. While I
was deeply disappointed that I didn't get to meet Cloe, I often thought about her and hoped
that on my next trip I would have the opportunity to visit her.
So I was deeply saddened the other day to learn that Cloe had died shortly before her 14th
birthday. Even though the choice was difficult, since Cloe was suffering from kidney failure,
having her put to sleep was the final gift of love Carole Baskin, the founder of Big Cat
Rescue, could give this beautiful cat. According to Carole, Cloe had lived longer than most
snow leopards. Along with the sadness of Cloe's death, the words Carole wrote soon after the
snow leopard passed touched me so deeply I felt compelled to share them here.
"I shut off the snow leopard cave air conditioner for the last time tonight- 3/8/11. Cloe the
snow leopard had just left her exquisite body and was bound for that place where all good
cats go when they die. As I walked into the office, the chorus of lions stopped me in my
tracks to listen. An over-sized butterfly began circling me and then perched on a branch
right above my head for a long moment, before disappearing high into the boughs of the tree
and darkening sky. I felt it was Cloe; happy to finally be free and wanted to share the
moment with you. She kept circling before stopping to say, 'good-bye', and leaving. Thank
you, everyone, for giving her, and all of these cats, the best lives possible."
The ability to love that deeply is truly a precious gift that should never be taken for
granted. At the same time, it is always risky for us to allow our hearts to open to an animal
and share that special bond. For at the precise moment we open to that love, we also open to
the grief we will eventually suffer when that animal dies.
It doesn't really matter if the beloved animal is a dog, cat, bird or fish, or any other
member of the animal kingdom. When we have been blessed with such a joyful relationship, we
cannot avoid the extraordinary pain and sadness that comes at the time of loss.
2011年3月7日星期一
Edwards aces thrill ride with Sprint Cup win in Las Vegas
Carl Edwards jumped off the Stratosphere Tower 10 days ago and flew with the Air
Force Thunderbirds on Thursday.
His latest adventure in Las Vegas was celebrating in Victory Lane on Sunday after
winning his second NASCAR Sprint Cup race in four years at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
before an estimated crowd of 140,000.
Quite the Vegas vacation, indeed.
"I've had a blast. I don't know what I'm going to do next weekend," Edwards said,
adding he plans to award the Kobalt Tools 400 winner's trophy to the Thunderbirds,
who he said inspired him.
The resident of Columbia, Mo., was flying high after winning for the 19th time in the
series and earning his Roush Fenway Racing team $401,541.
Edwards and crew chief Bob Osborne are the hottest duo in the series. They won the
last two races of 2010 and were second in the season-opening Daytona 500.
"This is the best start to a season that I've ever had," Edwards said. "We have been
performing really well, and it's just a joy to drive these race cars right now. The
Fords are back and are strong."
The victory was the seventh in 14 Las Vegas Cup races for Roush Fenway Racing.
Edwards, who won the 2008 Cup race here, finished 1.246 seconds ahead of Tony
Stewart, who led a race-best 163 of 267 laps in a Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet that
was clearly dominant.
Even Edwards doubted he would have won without a blunder by Stewart's team on lap
151. Stewart fell from first to 23rd when NASCAR assessed a stop-and-go penalty after
his car dragged a piece of equipment out of the pit box during a stop.
"We just gave one away today," Stewart said. "I don't even know what to say. We just
gave one away. (Our car) was the baddest thing on the West Coast today. Second
sucks."
Stewart regained the lead on lap 200 after his team saved time by changing two tires
and other front-runners took four. But that cost him on the last stop with 32 laps
remaining when he had to change four tires and Edwards took two and beat him onto the
track.
"It definitely didn't hurt the decision-making process to see them run extremely well
with two tires," Osborne said. "I thought our only opportunity was to leapfrog them
on the track and hope we could hold them off."
Stewart took the points lead through three races with 113, tying him with Kurt Busch,
who finished ninth after rebounding from a spin on lap 103. Edwards is third.
The last 32 laps provided the drama missing during the first 235, not counting a fire
when the engine in Kyle Busch's car detonated or Jeff Gordon's day ending when he
crashed into a wall.
After a record number of lead changes in the season's first two races, there were 21
on Sunday -- seven fewer than the track record -- and nearly all were products of pit
stops. Cars ran single file for nearly all the race with only a smattering of green-
flag lead changes.
For much of the day it would have been easier for a driver to pass a kidney stone
than another car.
"Anybody out there today knew that passing was nearly impossible," said Denny Hamlin,
who probably passed the most. A post-qualifying engine change dropped him to the rear
of the 43-car field to start and he finished seventh.
"Hopefully when we come back here (Goodyear) will soften the tire up, and that's when
you'll see a lot of side-by-side action," Hamlin said.
Edwards, though, said excitement was not lacking from his vantage point.
"I can tell you, from the driver's seat there are no more exciting tracks to drive
on," he said of Las Vegas. "This place has a lot of character. You slide the car at
200 mph through the corner and there are multiple grooves.
"Some days we will have races that are more single file and some days we won't. I
think the savvy fans know what's going on."
Spoken like a driver who had just won the race.
Force Thunderbirds on Thursday.
His latest adventure in Las Vegas was celebrating in Victory Lane on Sunday after
winning his second NASCAR Sprint Cup race in four years at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
before an estimated crowd of 140,000.
Quite the Vegas vacation, indeed.
"I've had a blast. I don't know what I'm going to do next weekend," Edwards said,
adding he plans to award the Kobalt Tools 400 winner's trophy to the Thunderbirds,
who he said inspired him.
The resident of Columbia, Mo., was flying high after winning for the 19th time in the
series and earning his Roush Fenway Racing team $401,541.
Edwards and crew chief Bob Osborne are the hottest duo in the series. They won the
last two races of 2010 and were second in the season-opening Daytona 500.
"This is the best start to a season that I've ever had," Edwards said. "We have been
performing really well, and it's just a joy to drive these race cars right now. The
Fords are back and are strong."
The victory was the seventh in 14 Las Vegas Cup races for Roush Fenway Racing.
Edwards, who won the 2008 Cup race here, finished 1.246 seconds ahead of Tony
Stewart, who led a race-best 163 of 267 laps in a Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet that
was clearly dominant.
Even Edwards doubted he would have won without a blunder by Stewart's team on lap
151. Stewart fell from first to 23rd when NASCAR assessed a stop-and-go penalty after
his car dragged a piece of equipment out of the pit box during a stop.
"We just gave one away today," Stewart said. "I don't even know what to say. We just
gave one away. (Our car) was the baddest thing on the West Coast today. Second
sucks."
Stewart regained the lead on lap 200 after his team saved time by changing two tires
and other front-runners took four. But that cost him on the last stop with 32 laps
remaining when he had to change four tires and Edwards took two and beat him onto the
track.
"It definitely didn't hurt the decision-making process to see them run extremely well
with two tires," Osborne said. "I thought our only opportunity was to leapfrog them
on the track and hope we could hold them off."
Stewart took the points lead through three races with 113, tying him with Kurt Busch,
who finished ninth after rebounding from a spin on lap 103. Edwards is third.
The last 32 laps provided the drama missing during the first 235, not counting a fire
when the engine in Kyle Busch's car detonated or Jeff Gordon's day ending when he
crashed into a wall.
After a record number of lead changes in the season's first two races, there were 21
on Sunday -- seven fewer than the track record -- and nearly all were products of pit
stops. Cars ran single file for nearly all the race with only a smattering of green-
flag lead changes.
For much of the day it would have been easier for a driver to pass a kidney stone
than another car.
"Anybody out there today knew that passing was nearly impossible," said Denny Hamlin,
who probably passed the most. A post-qualifying engine change dropped him to the rear
of the 43-car field to start and he finished seventh.
"Hopefully when we come back here (Goodyear) will soften the tire up, and that's when
you'll see a lot of side-by-side action," Hamlin said.
Edwards, though, said excitement was not lacking from his vantage point.
"I can tell you, from the driver's seat there are no more exciting tracks to drive
on," he said of Las Vegas. "This place has a lot of character. You slide the car at
200 mph through the corner and there are multiple grooves.
"Some days we will have races that are more single file and some days we won't. I
think the savvy fans know what's going on."
Spoken like a driver who had just won the race.
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