Big Sports Weekend (George Eichorn Blog)
August 12th, 2009
By George Eichorn of The New Monitor
What’s New in Sports
Football fans have to be at least a little intrigued as the Lions (0-16 last season) open up the Matt Stafford Era with a home pre-season game on Saturday at 4 p.m. against the Atlanta Falcons at Ford Field. Detroit’s prized No. 1 overall draft pick is the quarterback of the future – and maybe the moment – as he battles veteran Dante Culpepper for a lion’s share of playing time. Drew Stanton of Michigan State is the third-string QB and he too should see action Saturday. WWJ-TV (channel 62) has a taped-delay telecast of the game at night while WXYT-FM 97.1 has the live account. For tickets, go to www.detroitlions.com or call (313) 262-2002.
The first-place Detroit Tigers are back at Comerica Park this weekend taking on the Kansas City Royals starting Friday night at 7:05 p.m. There’s another night game on tap Saturday (same time) followed by a Sunday matinee at 1:05. Fireworks shows follow the Friday and Saturday games. Manager Jim Leyland’s club is a cool 36-18 at home yet struggle to win on the road. Still, with first place on their minds, fans should expect huge crowds downtown for these games. The always-dangerous Seattle Mariners make a return visit Tuesday through Thursday, August 18-20. First pitch is 7:05 the first two games and 1:05 on Aug. 20. Fox Sports Net Detroit has all the action along with WXYT. For tickets, visit www.detroittigers.com or call (313) 962-4000.
Racing fans have another opportunity to see the stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series this weekend at Michigan International Speedway in the Irish Hills. Tony Stewart, winner of the race last Monday at Watkins Glen, headlines a field that tackles the two-mile tri-oval, including Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Carl Edwards and all the top stock-car drivers. Testing and qualifying is Friday morning and afternoon, the NASCAR Nationwide Series CarFax 250 race (3 p.m.) and more Sprint Cup practicing Saturday and the big CarFax 400 race set to start around 1 p.m. on Sunday. ESPN2 has the Saturday telecast and ESPN Sunday’s. MRN Radio carries the action too. Tickets are available at www.mispeedway.com or call (800) 354-1010.
Reach George Eichorn at geichorn@yahoo.com
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