Crafton earns pole at Chicagoland

Autoracing Betting Lines

08/28/2009 - Bristol, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Crafton will start on the pole for Friday's inaugural EnjoyIllinois 225 Camping World Truck Series race after posting the fastest lap in qualifying at Chicagoland Speedway.

Crafton rounded the 1.5-mile oval at 171.914 m.p.h. in his No.88 ThorSport Chevrolet for his second career Truck Series pole, but his first since September 2005 at New Hampshire.

Chad McCumbee will start alongside Crafton after turning a lap at 171.636 m.p.h.

Todd Bodine qualified third, followed by Kyle Busch, last week's race winner at Bristol, and Rick Crawford.

Ron Hornaday Jr., the current points leader, will start sixth. Hornaday saw his five-race winning streak end at Bristol, but still holds a commanding 211- point advantage over Crafton.

Brent Sherman, Stacy Compton, Jason White and Colin Braun completed the top-10.

Michelle Theriault, John Jackson and Ryan Hackett failed to qualify.

Today's 225-mile race is scheduled to begin around 9:00 p.m. (et).

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El Duque expected to throw Tuesday

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. -- New York Mets pitcher Orlando Hernandez, sidelined at spring training because of arthritis in his neck, is expected to resume throwing on Tuesday.

Hernandez received a cortisone shot Thursday after leaving camp and returning to New York to have his neck examined. The 41-year-old right-hander is penciled in as the team's No. 2 starter behind Tom Glavine.

El Duque's health is a major issue for the Mets, who won the NL East in 2007 and came within one victory of the World Series. Their aging and unsettled rotation is a big question mark this year.

MySportsbook.com has the Mets as -110 favorites to repeat as NL East champions odds. 

Hernandez went 11-11 with a 4.66 ERA last season, including 9-7 with a 4.09 ERA in 20 starts after the Mets acquired him from Arizona in late May. But he missed the playoffs because of a torn calf muscle.

New York already is without Pedro Martinez, out until at least midseason following rotator cuff surgery. Among those competing for starting jobs are prospects Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber and Jason Vargas, plus veterans Chan Ho Park, Jorge Sosa and Aaron Sele.

Notes: Mets manager Willie Randolph is excited about two new utility players he could have on his bench: Damion Easley and David Newhan. ''Their value is really all over the place,'' Randolph said. Easley can play anywhere in the infield and could be used as an emergency outfielder, though Randolph said he would prefer to keep the veteran in the infield. Newhan, meanwhile, can play second base, third or any outfield position for the Mets. ''I love versatility,'' Randolph said. ''I love guys that can give me options when I need them to step in.''

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