Big names make big news and make big money.

That I understand.

The NBA is where it is, or, at least, where it was, because of Magic and Bird. The NHL got its big lift when Mario Lemieux was winning Cups and Wayne Gretzky was playing in the L.A. market. Baseball is doing better than it has, because the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are playing well. The NFL does well … well … because Las Vegas exists.

This brings me to auto racing. I have read several times, now that Danica Patrick has won the IRL is going to grow. Or, once Dale Earnhardt Jr. wins, NASCAR will be back.

So, yes, Patrick winning helps the IndyCar Series. And yes, when Earnhardt Jr. breaks his slump, NASCAR will be in the headlines.

The point of this post, though, is: Neither of the sports will die if these drivers fail.

IRL is the strongest it has been since it began, particularly now the open-wheel racing merged this season. The Indy 500 this year will again have a great field like it did in its heyday.

NASCAR TV ratings still blow away everything expect the NFL and Tiger in the lead in major golf events, and its stands are filled at nearly every track.

So, go ahead and praises these drivers or scorn them for not winning, just don't say that their series are depending on them.

Because you would be wrong.

Things to watch this weekend:

– How bad is Travis Hafner's knee and is this the time when the Tribe breaks away from the pack by handling the Yankees?

– Does John Daly make a move and return to the center stage in golf or is it only Tiger's world at the PGA Championship?

– Anyone want to play quarterback? UA and the Browns are looking but so far haven't found what they are looking for.

– Can Dale Earnhardt Jr. break from his Anna Kournikova drought — lots of endorsements, no wins and maybe no Chase for the Cup?

– I must admit that I am surprised how easy the Tigers and Indians have allowed the races to tighten in the American League. With the resent poor play by the AL Central leaders, the Mariners and Yankees are now only a half behind the Tigers for the wild card. And don't forget the Twins, who are just 4 1/2 behind the Tribe. Should make September interesting but it didn't have to be this way for either the Indians or Tigers.

– The Browns can point to good signs at camp, including big back Jamal Lewis seeming to have something to prove. But with Orpheus Roye getting hurt, Ryan Tucker getting suspended, Brady Quinn causing bad PR league-wide, something doesn't smell right, and I am not talking about the Stadium.

– Dario Franchitti's crash at Michigan International Speedway shows just how well all racing cars are built these days. Take a look at ESPN for the video.

– Dale Earnhardt Jr. draws the most fans to the race track and to the souvenir shop but right now, he would not be in the Chase for the Nextel Cup. It is kind of like the NBA not getting as much attention whent the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers all are not in the playoffs.

– Mike Tomlin won his first game with the Steelers on Sunday in Canton. He won't remind many of Bill Cowher, but astute observers might see a little Chuck Noll in the rookie head coach.

– Ohio State football is No. 10 in the coaches' poll behind Wisconsin and Michigan in the Big Ten. Seems about right for a team that doesn't know who will be quarterback.

– Tiger Woods … really, whatelse can you say? Maybe it is time for a statue next to the historic water tower at Firestone.

It looks like Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be joining forces with Jeff Gordon at Hendrick Motorsports.

This is like Pepsi and Coke merging. Expect things to fizz over.

My first thought that this is not a good thing for Nextel Cup. Rivalries are good for sports, although the Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is choking most of the oxygen out of the rest of baseball.

The positive for Nextel Cup is that Junior actually might add some wins or even be a factor in the Chase to go with this high profile. Budweiser and Chevrolet also have to be happy.

The baseball draft on TV was conducted very poorly. Instead of following the lead of the NHL or NFL, baseball had few if any of the players at the draft. Without the photos of the players holding the jerseys with the GM, what do you have? Nothing.
The Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sweepstakes will be heating up the next two weeks. I still like Ginn Racing in a surprise. … By the way, Visa denies that it is entering NASCAR, but that probably would be the only way for Junior to end up with Joe Gibbs Racing.
The Cavs need to be active in the offseason to get some more weapons for LeBron James and Mike Brown.
C.C. Sabathia is starting to look more and more like a Cy Young winner and like a very rich man. The Indians need to ride his arm this season to playoff success.
Is anyone watching the French Open?
Or the Belmont Stakes?
We already know few watched the Stanley Cup Finals.
I think I like Danica Patrick's chances in a fight with Dan Wheldon.
Has anyone seen Barry Bonds, I think he is missing.
Speaking of Bonds, it is time for Hank Aaron to stop commenting on the home run chase. He said last week that he wasn't sure how to spell Bonds' name. Now Hank, don't be stupid. Stay above this fray of steroids talk.
The U.S. Open is looking like it might have a winner near double figures over par, if the players are telling the truth after practice rounds at Oakmont C.C. in Pittsburgh. Watching Tiger Woods and the rest of his golfing mates struggle should make great TV.

NASCAR plays no favorites when it hands down penalties.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. was docked 100 points in the standings and his crew chief, Tony Eury Jr., was fined $100,000 and suspended for six races for an illegal wing part in the race last weekend at Darlington.

The other sports could learn a thing or two about sticking to the rule book.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. being a free agent goes beyond sports.

Junior brings along a huge fan base, and two major sponsors in Chevy and Budweiser.

His market ability is on par with Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan if not greater.

He is going to make a lot of money for himself and for whichever owner is lucky enough to land him.

Just imagine if he could win more races.

As for DEI, I can't see that race team staying anywhere near the top of the business. It was a second-tier team with Junior. Martin Truex Jr. can't be the headliner for any team.

Jeff Gordon won the 76th race of his Cup career Saturday night, tying him with Dale Earnhardt Sr. for sixth place on the all-time victory list for NASCAR.

His tribute to Dale, holding a No. 3 flag out his window on his victory lap, was outstanding. In fact, Junior told Gordon that it was classy.

Maybe some folks will take it the wrong way, but for anyone who follows the sport, they know how much Gordon and Earnhardt respected each other.

As for this season, Gordon looks like he has his sights set on winning his fifth Cup, but as he pointed out last night, winning in the Chase format means the real race doesn't begin until September, when the actual Chase begins.

David Newton on ESPN.com has a nice column on Gordon's new place in history.