The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • D1

Filename: D1-SPORTS-AJCD0708-AJCD created: Jul 7 2006 Username: SPEED7 AJCD0708 Saturday, Jul 08, 2006 SPORTS 1 AJCD 1 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black 1 Cyan Magenta Yellow Black AJCD Filename: D1-SPORTS-AJCD0708-AJCD created: Jul 7 2006 Username: SPEED7 SATURDAY, JULY 8, 2006 True leaders should separate themselves today at the Tour de France. INSIDE TODAY D8 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution CONTACT US: Ronnie Ramos, sports editor 404-526-5098 Time trial biggest test Sports THE ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION CHECK FOR BREAKING NEWS UPDATES AT AJC.COM Zinedine Zi dane others could build reputations as the best ever with a Cup win. D3 France relies on veterans For LPGA, technology slowly getting out there By STEVE HUMMER LPGA rookie Brittany Lang is in love. And it shows in that little extra bounce in her step as she hikes it down the fairway. Way down the fairway.

new technology is she said. Speaking early in the season, during the Natural Charity Championship at Landing, Lang was just getting adjusted to professional life and some of the new toys at her disposal. Currently sixth in the LPGA in average driving distance (271.9 yards), she is part of a new generation combining greater strength and the latest supercharging of club and ball to add oomph to the game. the time school ended and the time I started playing on the Tour this year, which was like three months, I worked on my swing. But I switched equipment to the newer stuff, and I was hitting my driver 15 to 20 yards The impact of technology on golf is largely though.

Because tees are set ahead of the they are easily Brittany Lang is a big hitter but is it her, or improved equipment technology? DON HEUPEL Associated Press Please see LPGA, D2 They knew they were on the right track By RICK MINTER I seemed that the sun shone brightly on the day that Stacey W. Cotton returned to Atlanta Motor Speedway for the time in nearly 30 years. In the mid-1970s, when Cotton was a court-appointed trustee overseeing the bankrupt track, it took skillful stewardship, lots of hard work and some good weather on race days to keep Atlanta International Raceway In the initial years of the speedway, rain was the worst enemy. By most accounts, 13 of the 18 events were postponed or hampered by rain. That cut attendance, increased costs and led many to refer to the track as International When Cotton arrived on the scene in the spring of 1971, the only way the track could Photos by JOHNNY CRAWFORD Staff Stacey Cotton knew this patch of earth as the old grandstands and press box.

Soon it will be deluxe trackside motorhome parking. Stacey Cotton once took stewardship of a struggling speedway. When he returned 30 years later, AMS was still growing. MODERN TIMES A guide to the changes being made at Atlanta Motor Speedway. D6 wanted it to be a compliment to the city of Atlanta.

They had the right STACEY W. COTTON, former court-appointed trustee of Atlanta Motor Speedway during its lean years BRAND LOYALTY: UPS says it will stay with Dale Jarrett when he changes teams D7 Please see AMS, 6 Spirit proves nice guys still will nish last The reason nobody has written a book titled to Win in Professional is there is no one formula. You can win with good players and an average coach. You can win with average players and a good coach. You can win if the roster is healthy.

You can win even if the roster has dangling limbs held together with duct tape for just one more playoff series. Players can win if they like each other. Or they can win even if they look across the locker room and think, You can win with a private owner. You can win with a corporate owner. You just win with a dumb owner.

Which brings us to the Hawks and Thrashers. Their ownership group calls itself The thinking was, look better on let terhead than, But Clueless, In the latest chapter of most dumbfounding, confounding and often amusing ownership group, a Maryland judge has ruled the teams the purchase, sale, trade or of any player for longer than a year, as long as the group remains fractured and paralyzed in court. As limitations go, not necessarily the worst directive you can give a general manager. always, JEFF SCHULTZ MY OPINION Please see SCHULTZ, 8 Disappointment? Phillips can take it By GUY CURTRIGHT Brandon Phillips view not making the All-Star Game as a disappointment. thinking of it as an opportunity.

going to go see my brother P.J. play minor league ball in the Cincinnati Reds second baseman from Redan High School said. he know yet. going to be A surprise is what Phillips has been this season. In fact, he is one of biggest surprises.

Once considered among the top prospects, he hit the end of the line this spring with the Cleveland Indians. Designated for assignment, he was available to any team. No team in the American League wanted Phillips. The Reds did. Especially since they had to give the Indians just a Class A pitcher.

New Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky pulled off a steal by getting pitcher Bronson Arroyo from Boston, but acquiring Phillips for almost nothing was a bigger heist. The 25-year-old took over as the starting second baseman in mid-April and has been turning heads every since. He is hitting .317 to Please see PHILLIPS, D5 DAVID KOHL Associated Press Brandon Phillips played out the string in Cleveland before hitting it big with the Reds. LATE GAME Friday Reds-Braves game was not completed in time for this edition. Complete coverage can be found online at ajc.com/ sports.

Loomis on job: a day at the beach By L. SHANNON When Ty Loomis quit his high school baseball and basketball teams he got more than a few questionable looks. is the Loomis said. either play football, basketball or baseball. People believe I was quitting to play another Certainly not volleyball.

thought it was a he said. really know what volleyball Warner Robins High School even have a team. Loomis had to make it on his own. And he did. Sort of.

Found his game in volleyball AVP ATLANTA OPEN When; where: Today-Sunday; Atlantic Station Admission: Please see LOOMIS, D7 POUYA DIANAT Staff A growth spurt and marketing campaign gave a lift to the volleyball career of ex-Georgian Ty Loomis.