Harvick wins it all

Kevin Harvick came into the last race in the final four and left with the Sprint Cup. Harvick ended the season with two consecutive wins, at Phoenix last week and Miami on Sunday.

The final four included Ryan Newman, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano. They ended the season second, third and fourth, respectively.

Back on September 10, Denny Hamlin and retired Indy Car driver Tom Sneva predicted who they think will win the it all. Sneva picked Keselowski to win. Keselowski was eliminated after the race in Phoenix.

With no surprise, Hamlin picked himself to win. He was close to winning in the final race, but came up short and finished third in points after leading for 50 laps in the final race.

This year was the first time we saw this new racing format, and drivers see the obvious pros and cons with the setup. We'll see if the new format will remain for the next season.

NASCAR gets ready for Phoenix

Number 88 Dale Earnhardt Jr.

With the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 less than one month away, drivers came to Phoenix to test the track to get ready for the crucial race.
 
The valley will host the last elimination race before the championship, as part of the new system NASCAR implemented this season. Overall, the drivers seem to like the format.
 
"I like the format...I think it's very dramatic... It's served us well on an exposure standpoint," Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared during a press conference on testing day.
 
A hot topic during the day was the actions from the Bank of America 500 between Brad Keselowski and Matt Kenseth.
 

Several drivers shared their take on the scuffle.
 


Kasey Kahne and Jeff Gordon answer questions at the
 press conference on October 14

"There's a lot of pressure right now... We just hope we stay out of the trouble. Sometimes you do, sometimes you don't." -- Kasey Kahne
 
"The fans love it, the media loves it..." -- Jeff Gordon
 
"He's [Kenseth] got a fiery temper. I wasn't that surprised. The tension in the race is really ramped up." -- Dale Earnhardt Jr.
 
With Charlotte aside, the drivers are eager to race on. The next race is in Talladega on October 19.

"Once we get in the races it is every man for himself."-- Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Women on top

The NBC show "American Ninja Warrior" showcases the capabilities of the human body as thousands attempt to complete the rigorous courses across the country. This season saw something happen that has never happened before: not one, but two women completed the qualifying course.

No woman has ever made it to the top of the warp wall, the last stage of the course, until last week. Former gymnast Kacy Catanzaro became the first woman to press the button on top of the wall.

Girl power did not stop there. In the following episode of the hit show, Michelle Warnky also jumped her way to the finish in this week's episode.

We see more women making headlines for accomplishing what was previously unheard of. Should these milestones be news worthy?

In rare feats like this, yes. No woman has ever completed the qualifying course of "American Ninja Warrior" so this should be something worth celebrating. However, I hope one day we will see a day where woman achieving greatness will not be breaking news but a common occurrence.

Congratulations, Catanzaro and Warnky. May your prowess on the course lead to more women succeed in this male-dominant society.

Coyotes Charities champions for Arizona communities

Not all heroes wear a mask and cape, canvasing the city for criminals plotting to take over the world.
Though it makes a good plot-line for films and novels, the more realistic heroes are found in your neighborhood, local gym, or the driver behind you at a red light. Coyotes Charities is one of these unconcealed forces, “enhancing the quality of life throughout Arizona communities,” according to the group’s Facebook page.

To read more, click here

Gone but not forgotten -- Granite Mountain Hotshots

 The dichotomy of the Phoenix Coyotes for an intrasquad scrimmage united the team and community for a charitable cause: raising money for the families of the fallen Granite Mountain Hotshots.

To read more, click here:
http://arbigley.wordpress.com/2013/09/22/gone-but-not-forgotten-granite-mountain-hotshots/

Phoenix Coyotes to give back to fallen heroes of Yarnell Hill Fire

One of the most beautiful things about sports is the unity formed in light of tragedy. In times of adversity, sports organizations rally behind the community. Nineteen Granite Mountain Hotshots, an elite team of firefighters, died in when the blaze they fought went beyond their control in Yarnell, Ariz. on June 30.

Read more at: http://arbigley.wordpress.com/2013/09/16/phoenix-coyotes-to-give-back-to-fallen-heroes-of-yarnell/

Behind the Name -- George Alexander Louis

Behind the name – George Alexander Louis

by Ashley Bigley

The world waited in anticipation for birth of the newest member of Britain’s royal family.  The wait ended on July 22, 2013, when Kate Middleton gave birth to a healthy prince. 

The media and excited viewers speculated on the possible name for the child, like James or Lancelot. Ultimately, the new parents named the boy George Alexander Louis.

George: According to numerous sources on name etymology, George is historically associated with the earth and cultivation. Also, George was the name of Queen Elizabeth II’s father, George VI. The name is a elegant tribute to his late great-great-grandfather.

Alexander: In Greek, Alexander means “defending men.”

Louis: There is another family tie to this name. His father’s full name is William Arthur Philip Louis. 

So if the name follows the child’s personality, he will be a hard worker who will defend his people and cherish his family.

I like the name; there name has common elements, but still has a royal flare. 

Another baby ran the tabloids this year, North West, the child of socialite Kim Kardashian and rapper Kanye West. 

Everyone has their own opinions of each name, but in my mind, George Alexander Louis was a good choice; North West is a direction, not a name.