Posted: 08 Mar 2010 10:08 PM PST

VIERA -- Throughout his tenure in the Washington Nationals spring training camp, Stephen Strasburg has earned kudos for his all-listen, little-talk approach to adjusting to the big leagues.

The No. 1 overall pick in baseball's amateur draft took that a step further on Monday, declining to talk about his debut today, which just happens to be the most anticipated individual starting assignment in the team's five-year history.

Invoking a new "rule" being birthed in baseball that starting pitchers don't want to talk to the media the day before a start, enhancing what was a long-standing edict that pitchers don't talk on the day of a start, Strasburg referred inquires to the team's media relations staff.

That's OK. That's his prerogative. But inquiring minds do want to know what the team's $15-million man is thinking as he prepares to pitch to big league hitters in anger for the first time 29 weeks after waiting until the last possible moment to sign his Nationals deal.

Guess we'll just have to wait until he speaks following his expected two-inning stint against the mostly minor-league roster of the Detroit Tigers at Space Coast Stadium.

For those who want to witness it all with their own two eyes and want to be able to say they were there when, plenty of good seats are available for the 1:05 p.m. start.

All that being said, just because Strasburg pleaded the fifth didn't mean there weren't other opinions.

Drew Storen, the Nationals No. 2 pick in the draft -- 10th overall -- also will pitch today, most likely one inning. He's already thrown two, both perfect, tossing all of 19 pitches, and he naturally is looking forward to his third appearance.

He did speak, addressing Strasburg and his own experiences.

"You expect a guy like that to be loud. You just kind of expect the complete opposite of what he is," Storen said about Strasburg on Monday. "He's a great guy. He's a real low-key guy. He's humble. You really can't ask for much more than that."

Interestingly, while Strasburg is certainly more expressive and at ease in interviews than he was following his Instructional League workout appearance here in August but also still not the overly accommodating type, Storen welcomes the attention.

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Petty gets schooled on bikes - Daytona Beach News-Journal

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 09:04 PM PST

DAYTONA BEACH -- Kyle Petty has logged thousands of laps at Daytona International Speedway, but there he was Monday, learning the fine points of racing -- on a Supercross motorcycle.

Petty was a student at the Ricky Carmichael University, a one-day, hands-on course using the Daytona Supercross layout as a classroom.

"I fell into the dirt two or three times," said Petty, dressed head-to-toe in standard Superbike gear.

The 49-year-old Petty, a stock-car-driver-turned-television personality, was mixing business and pleasure. Not only did he go to school, but he was filming a piece about Carmichael for the Speed cable network.

Speed broadcasts NASCAR truck series races. Carmichael is now a full-time truck series driver. The Carmichael University looked like a success.

"This is the first time Ricky has done this and look around -- there are 6 year olds and 7 year olds -- on the same racetrack, well almost the same, that the big guys ran a few days after the big race," Petty said.

"Think about if you were able to run a race the day after Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart competed in the Daytona 500, that would be pretty neat."

Petty has been riding motorcycles his entire life. For years he has helped organize a cross-country bike run to raise money for charity, mostly the Victory Junction Gang Camp.

Victory Junction was founded by the Petty family.

"I know he's been a huge bike fan," Carmichael said.

But Petty never once raced a motorcycle on dirt or a motocross course.

"I've been riding dirt bikes since I was little kid, but I didn't have the opportunity to go to motocross tracks back then," Petty said. "Motocross wasn't as big.

"I'm learning how today and it's a pretty good deal to have Ricky Carmichael as a teacher. He was going group to group working with us."

Now that he's not a NASCAR competitor, would Petty consider owning a Supercross team?

Coy Gibbs, son of Joe Gibbs, who owns a three-car Sprint Cup team, fields a privateer, AMA Pro Racing Supercross team.

"Doesn't Michael Jordan own a motorcycle team?" Petty said. "I think it would be pretty cool. You know me. I would try anything once, or twice."

It wasn't all about Supercrossing on Monday. Carmichael, who calls Tallahassee home, held a seminar with parents about proper nutrition, training and the importance of kids staying in school.

"I heard him say it's a young man's sport but they had to keep their kids in school because education is so important," Petty said. "This kind of racing is truly a family sport."

On the flip side, Carmichael said Petty was an attentive student.

"It's amazing how good he got during the course of the day," said the five-time Supercross champion. "Athletes are athletes and racing is racing. You could tell the light bulb came on for him during the class."

Petty has now raced stock cars, sportscars and motorcycles at Daytona. In order to complete the Speedway Slam, he must compete in a go-kart race.

"I'll be back for that," he promised.

godwin.kelly @news-jrnl.com

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Gainesville: Pre-event notes, schedule - Motorsport.com

Posted: 08 Mar 2010 05:44 PM PST

TIRE KINGDOM NHRA GATORNATIONALS FACT SHEET

WHAT: 41st Tire Kingdom NHRA Gatornationals, the third of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories - Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle - earn points leading to 2010 NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series world championships.

WHERE: Gainesville Raceway, Gainesville, Fla. The track is located on 11211 North County Road 225 in Gainesville.

WHEN: Thursday through Sunday, March 11-14

SCHEDULE:

THURSDAY, March 11
LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 9 a.m.

FRIDAY, March 12
LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying at 7:30 a.m.

GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at noon and 2:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, March 13
LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations begin at 7:30 a.m.

GET SCREENED AMERICA PRO MOD SERIES qualifying at 1:45 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

FULL THROTTLE SERIES qualifying at noon and 2:45 p.m.

SUNDAY, March 14
Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.

FULL THROTTLE SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.

TELEVISION: Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise two hours of qualifying highlights at midnight (ET).

Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will re-air the two-hour qualifying highlights show at 10 a.m. (ET).

Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise NHRA Race Day, a 30-minute news magazine show, at noon (ET).

Sunday, March 14, ESPN2 and ESPN2HD will televise three hours of coverage starting at 6 p.m. (ET).

2009 EVENT WINNERS: Larry Dixon, Top Fuel; Bob Tasca, Funny Car; Jason Line, Pro Stock; Hector Arana, Pro Stock Motorcycle.

TICKETS: For tickets call NHRA, (800) 884-NHRA (6472); Tickets also available at Ticketmaster.com or at NHRA.com.

GENERAL ADMISSION (includes pit pass) - FULL EVENT: $140. DAILY: Thursday: Adult, $16; Junior (6-12 years), $10; Friday: Adult, $36; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Saturday: Adult, $58; Junior (6-12 years), $10. Sunday: Adult, $58; Junior (6-12 years) $10. Children (5 years-under), free with paying adult in general admission and pit access areas each day.

RESERVED SEATS (includes pit pass) - Friday: Adult, $46; Junior (6-12 years), $20; Child (5 years-under), $10. Saturday: Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years), $24; Child (5 years and under), $14. Sunday: Adult, $65; Junior (6-12 years), $24; Child (5 years and under), $14.

-source: nhra

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