Tony Stewart didn't talk to the media after finishing second Saturday night in the Nextel Cup race in Phoenix.

Wednesday on his radio show he said why.

He thinks NASCAR is throwing caution flags for debris on the track just for TV's sake to make the end of races closer. NASCAR balks at this allegation.

All I know is the number of these cautions has increased a ton, and TV never can seem to find the debris.

Tony likens it to pro wrestling. Maybe he is right.

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.

Here is what to look for in the Beacon Journal and on Ohio.com this weekend.

A Cavaliers preview section in the edition Saturday and more insight from Brian Windhorst in the Sunday paper before Game 1's tipoff at 12:30 p.m. at the Q

Patrick McManamon shows just how tough it is to hit on a pick in the top five of the NFL Draft. And everyone knows the Browns are still waiting for their first bit of luck.

Marla Ridenour examines the career of Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn.

Sheldon Ocker will have his usual Sunday fare: a weekly look at the Indians plus game coverage from Tampa Bay.

Tom Gaffney has an interesting feature on the winner of the Caraboolad Award, given to a top area high school coach.

Marla also will be in Columbus to see if anyone steps up to take Troy Smith's spot as quarterback of Ohio State.

Coverage of the NASCAR race Saturday night in Phoenix, too.

Enjoy.

Welcome to my blog. As the Deputy Sports Editor for the Beacon Journal, I hope that this is a place where we all can discuss issues with the Beacon Journal and Ohio.com sports coverage and the teams and leagues we cover and care passionately about.

So to get started here is where I am coming from. I like nearly all sports (although I don't get some of the sports in the Olympics), but with my Pittsburgh upbringing, I lean toward pro and college football and hockey with a fondness toward baseball (I think that is what the Pirates play).

I think college sports in Ohio is more than Ohio State football. … I think that Jeff Gordon should have knocked Jimmie Johnson into the wall to win in Martinsville two weeks ago. … I think the Browns would be crazy to pass on Calvin Johnson and would be crazier to take Brady Quinn. … I expect them to take Quinn.
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