Local Look: Pocono

Events: Pennsylvania 500; ITT Industries, Systems Division and Goulds Pumps Salute to the Troops 250 presented by Dodge; O'Reilly 200 presented by Valvoline

Local papers contributing: The Sacramento Bee, The Indianapolis Star, The Charlotte Observer

Brown announces NASCAR venture

Tim Brown Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

The deal: Gregg Bell of The Sacramento Bee notes former NFL receiver Tim Brown is coming to NASCAR. Brown, who spent 17 years in the NFL with the Raiders and Buccaneers, announced his retirement Monday and now will be the owner of a NASCAR team.

As part of the sport's ongoing diversity program, Brown has accepted an offer to create Tim Brown Racing from Roush Racing, an enterprise that has won the past two Cup championships. Brown's team will use Roush chassis and technology for cars that will begin NASCAR competition in 2006.

Why we care: "If NASCAR is going to truly be America's sport, everyone [from all races] has to be involved," Brown said, adding he will be involved in promotions and securing sponsorships for his new team.

Browns said he talked to about a half-dozen NFL teams about playing in 2005, "but there are no special deals out there for soon-to-be 39-year-olds." Except NASCAR ownership.

Gordon mum during testing at Indy

Jeff Gordon Credit: Jamie Squire/Getty Images

The deal: Steve Ballard of The Indianapolis Star writes that without saying a word Tuesday, Jeff Gordon spoke volumes about how his NASCAR season has been going of late.

Normally accommodating with the media under any circumstances, Gordon politely declined all interview requests as his Hendrick Motorsports team tested at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in preparation for the Aug. 7 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard.

Why we care: Gordon has suffered through a a two-month stretch that has seen him drop from second to 15th in the standings. The four-time series champion is 120 points out of 10th place, which after seven more races becomes the cutoff to qualify for the 10-race Chase for the Nextel Cup.

Gordon was one of 19 drivers on the track for the last of six days of testing. Bobby Hamilton and son Bobby Jr. turned in the two best laps of the month at 183.905 mph and 182.576, respectively. Greg Biffle's 181.963 from July 11 had stood as the fastest overall.

Crocker readying for first Pocono run

Erin Crocker Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

The deal: David Poole of The Charlotte Observer says Erin Crocker has never raced at Pocono Raceway, so before going to the 2.5-mile triangular track for Saturday's ARCA race she's been watching and talking to people who have.

Crocker, who'll drive a Ray Evernham-owned Dodge in the Pennsylvania 200, said she's been watching in-car camera footage from Jeremy Mayfield and asking Mayfield and Bill Elliott.

Why we care: Crocker remains at the forefront of NASCAR's wave of the future; she's the face of the female drivers push the sport is promoting.

"It will be the biggest track I've ever been on," said Crocker, who finished second at Kentucky Speedway in her most recent ARCA outing.

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"The biggest challenge is the whole idea of shifting. I haven't had to do that at any track I've been to. There's really no way to practice that until we get there. I've been watching the videos and I'm going to talk with Bill, but I think it's hard to practice until you can get in the car and get on the track."