Second Thoughts

Stenhouse can step up sans Danica

Ricky Stenhouse Jr. can focus on reaching his potential in NASCAR now that he has broken up with Danica
Patrick, according to The Associated Press motor sports writer Jenna Fryer.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. can focus on reaching his potential in NASCAR now that he has broken up with Danica Patrick, according to The Associated Press motor sports writer Jenna Fryer.

Jenna Fryer, the motor sports reporter for The Associated Press, believes NASCAR Monster Energy Cup driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. can make a name for himself after breaking up with fellow driver Danica Patrick.

Stenhouse Jr., a two-time NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, won two Cup races in 2017 and made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons in NASCAR's top circuit.

"When he first started dating [Danica] Patrick, she was already one of the most famous athletes in the world and had been married and divorced. Her life became his life -- she got him to cut his mullet, dress a little better, explore big cities and take his fitness seriously, improvements that landed him two spots on American Ninja Warrior," Fryer wrote.

"Stenhouse is now 30 and has a chance to show the world who he is as a racer and a person. His passions are dirt racing, the golf league comprised of NASCAR personalities and Ole Miss football. When he's not racing, he probably wants to be racing.

"This is now Stenhouse's time. He gets to not only reset, but also rebuild who he wants to be in the world of NASCAR and with his race team.

"Those are the kind of things Stenhouse is likely going to focus on in the buildup to next month's season-opening Daytona 500. He won at Daytona in July, so there's no reason to think he won't be a contender in the 500, and a victory there would be the biggest moment of his career.

"What Stenhouse has ahead of him is now what's important. He alone gets to dictate what happens next."

Horse assault

A man is accused of punching a police horse and a mounted officer during an arrest before the Eagles' NFC Championship Game victory over the Minnesota Vikings, police in Philadelphia said Monday.

It's the second time a horse punching is alleged around an Eagles playoff game this month.

Police said a mounted state police corporal was trying to disperse a crowd in a stadium parking lot around 3:15 p.m. EST on Sunday when a man struck the horse twice in the shoulder and then hit the corporal in the face.

Andrew Tornetta, 19, is being charged with aggravated and simple assault, reckless endangering and related offenses, police said. He didn't immediately return a call seeking comment. It's unclear whether he has an attorney.

A week earlier, during the Eagles' 15-10 playoff victory over the Atlanta Falcons, a man was turned away from the game because he was intoxicated and didn't have a ticket. He also punched a horse and was arrested, police said.

Police report few arrests amid the Eagles' 38-7 victory over the Vikings, which sends Philadelphia to its first Super Bowl game since 2005. The Eagles will play the New England Patriots on Feb. 4 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.

He said it

From Brad Dickson of the Omaha World-Herald:

• "The New Orleans Saints were banned from playing table tennis before the playoffs. Only in the NFL do 300-pound men run headfirst into each other at top speed and then someone worries they'll get hurt playing pingpong."

• "Utah Jazz player Rodney Hood was fined $35,000 for slapping a phone out of a fan's hand. Then Verizon charged him $219 in 'roaming fees.' "

• "A cute story: A Jacksonville first-grade class sent the Jaguars notes on how to beat New England. These are the same first-graders who came up with the Atlanta Falcons' second-half game plan in last year's Super Bowl."

SPORTS QUIZ

How many races are in the 2018 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series season?

ANSWER

36.The first race is the Daytona 500 on Feb. 18.

Sports on 01/23/2018

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