News for the week of 7/17/2011

            It’s been a hectic week for Indianapolis sports fans. There was big news for Colts fans, racing fans, and even Pacers fans.

           

            Hoosier NASCAR drivers Ryan Newman and Tony Stewart finished 1-2, respectively, at the race in New Hampshire on Sunday. Newman recorded his first win of the season and his first win since last April. It was also the first 1-2 finish for the Stewart/Haas racing team. The strong finish by both drivers was much needed as both are sitting on the bubble of Chase drivers. All Newman has to do is stay consistent, as his one win basically guarantees him a spot in the postseason.

Tony Stewart and Ryan Newman at New Hampshire

           

            Head coach of the Indiana Pacers, Frank Vogel, announced that Jim Boylen will become an assistant coach for the team. Boylen has spent the past four years at the University of Utah. In the NBA, he has coached for Houston, Milwaukee, and Golden State, the latter two being NBA Championship teams. Boylen will join Brian Shaw and longtime Pacers assistant, Dan Burke.

Jim Boylen

            There has not been anything to write about the Indianapolis Colts since the NFL Draft in April. Fortunately(or maybe unfortunately), that changed earlier this week. Defensive end, Jerry Hughes, was arrested Sunday morning in Dallas, Texas. Hughes, the Colts first round draft pick in 2010, was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication. Hughes was with two of his teammates from college. I have not heard of any possible repercussions for Hughes, neither criminally or from the Colts. I do know that the NFL has said all penalties against players during the lockout will be on hold into the lockout is over, so maybe he will face repercussions when the season starts.

            
            The single most important thing to the state of Indiana, besides corn and basketball, also made the news this week. Peyton Manning is recovering from neck surgery he had in May, and will miss a few days in training camp. It is unknown how long he will be absent; it could be just a week, or the whole camp. Manning is meeting with Colts doctors, so it should not be long before we know how much time he will miss.

Peyton Manning

           

            The NFL Lockout is, according to all reports, nearing an end. The two sides, the NFL Owners and Players Association are finishing up smaller differences, such as the rookie wage scale. I really thought it would be over by last Friday, but anytime before training camps are scheduled to start will make me happy.  

           

            
            I have not heard ANYTHING about the NBA Lockout, but I do know that their situation is way worse than the NFL’s. I really hope they can end their lockout soon too, because no season for the Indiana Pacers would really damage everything they have worked so hard for in the past couple of seasons.