Sad News - Gary Lee:
Longtime motor sports broadcaster Gary Lee, 63, was found dead in his Indianapolis home today [Monday], likely the result of a heart attack, friends confirmed. Lee, who lived on the city’s Eastside near Shadeland Avenue, was synonymous with ESPN’s earliest televised events. He teamed with former driver Larry Rice to broadcast the “Thunder” short-track series that featured drivers such as a young Jeff Gordon at what was then Indianapolis Raceway Park in the late 1980s and early 1990s. “Larry and Gary were ‘Thunder,’” said fellow broadcaster Bob Jenkins, who helped start the weekly traveling motor sports show along with Larry Nuber. “They got along so well.” Lee worked on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Radio Network through the 1990s and owned Whiteland Raceway Park for a time.(Indianapolis Star)(7-15-2014)
Earnhardt Jr. and Keselowski clinch Chase spot:
#88-Dale Earnhardt Jr. and #2-Brad Keselowski have clinched a spot in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, assuming they attempt to qualify for the remaining seven races in the regular season. Both Earnhardt and Keselowski have fulfilled two of the three requirements to guarantee their spot in the Chase - multiple wins and locking in to the top 30 in points. With Keselowski’s third win of the season this past weekend he could be seeded first in the Chase - each win is worth three Chase bonus points. A number of other drivers can join Earnhardt and Keselowski as Chase clinchers. #24-Jeff Gordon has already clinched a top 30 spot, but with a single win has yet to clinch the “wins” portion of the criteria. A win at Indy would clinch him a spot. To clinch a top 30 spot, the clinching driver must be 289 points ahead of 31st place after Indianapolis.(NASCAR Wire Service)(7-15-2014)