The Daily News-Journal from Murfreesboro, Tennessee • 13

ESPStM tela rane 11-11 wBa Staff Columnist Rutherford dropped bail on new track GLADEVILLE One by one, they strutted into the national, regional and local limelight provided by a forum that featured some of auto racing's elite. Darn well the dignitaries of Wilson County should have been applauded. It was their foresight With a whipping wind blowing straight out to center and right, the Blue Raiders (25-8) established a new single-game record with eight home runs in a 13-10 win against the Bulldogs (31-12) at Woody Hunt Stadium in Lebanon. MTSU had hit seven home runs in a game twice, the latest coming against Eastern Illinois last season, but Kyle Thomas9 leadoff home run in the fifth, his second of the game, established the new mark. "Anything can happen on a day like today," said Thomas, who was 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs scored "It's just a hitter's day with the wind blowing out, and just a flick of the wrist is enough.

You have to look where the wind is blowing and try to drive it that way." Thomas and Josh Renick connected for two home runs each, Tjerk Smeets went deep for the second time in as many days, Troy Harp connected for his first collegiate circuit clout, Justin Sims hit his team-leading ninth out of the yard and Jason Renick didn't waste time extending his hitting streak to eight games and igniting the home run burst with his solo shot to straight-away center leading off the game. He added a two-run blast to right center in his second at-bat. It was Renick's third home run in two games and sixth of the season. He had just one all of last season. "With the workout we did with (strength coach Matt) Riley, I feel like I am stronger," said Renick, who was 2-for-4 with (See Blue Raiders, page 3C) DNJ photos by Jim Davis Dover Downs President and CEO Dennis McGlynn unveils a street sign honoring NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr.

Wednesday at Nashville Superspeedway. Gail mmm Mmnml Howarth hit his second long ball of the year. All but two of MTSU's runs were provided by the home run barrage. The record is something to be proud of, but hopefully this team will set more records," MTSU coach Steve Peterson said. "What I want to see them set is wins, and the first Sun Belt Conference championship, and going to the Sun Belt tournament, and going to another Regional.

That's what I would like to see." to enter the Nashville Superspeedway?" Joining France as hon-orees Wednesday were former Winston Cup champions Darrell Wal-trip and the late Dale Earnhardt, Winston Cup drivers Sterling Marlin and Bobby Hamilton, Nashville Speedway USA president and legendary promoter Bob Harmon and deceased former NASCAR driver and country music star Marty Robbins. 'Today is the day when our motor sports history meets the future," said Dennis McGlynn, president and chief executive officer of Dover Downs Entertainment, which owns Nashville Superspeedway. "We're going to be transitioning from Nashville Speedway USA over at the fairgrounds to this wonderful new creased because of his experience. Two of last season's four starters in the secondary are gone. Cornerback Denard Walker agreed to a multi-year deal with Denver as an unrestricted free agent early in the signing period.

Earlier this week it was reported that free safety Marcus Robertson agreed to terms with Seattle. Robertson was waived for salary cap reasons. "We need Samari back," Bishop said. "He's a great player. He can make a difference in a game." Team officials indicated immediately following the season that they wanted to sign Rolle to a Mmim OMTSU sets school HR record By Tony Stinnett Sports writer LEBANON No baseball team in MTSU history ever has put on a power display like the one the Blue Raiders produced against NAIA power Cumberland Wednesday afternoon.

Harrison picks Colorado over Commodores By Sam Meyer Special to the DNJ Nv In the end, family mattered more than anything to Brentwood Academy's David Hanison. Tliat's what the 7-foot McDonald's AU-American center said Wednesday afternoon as he finally chose the University of Colorado as his college destination. Hanison, saying he wanted the opportunity to play with older brother J. (who will be a senior at Colorado next year), chose the Buffaloes over Vander-bilt and North Carolina. "I was leaning towards Colorado for about a week," Harrison said.

'Then I had a conversation with my family and my brother and decided that's what I wanted to do. "Vandeibilt, their coaching staff did a great job recruiting me. I want to thank (Vandeibilt) coach (Kevin) Stallings for everything he did." Vandeibilt had been recruiting Harrison since he was a sophomore in high school, long before most colleges knew the McDonald's All-American was on the radar screen. He had become a regular attendee of Vandy home basketball games the past two years and was a fan of the team. Harrison's father, Dennis, is an assistant football coach for the Commodores, which made this the most difficult decision of the 18-year old's life.

"It was a really hard decision," Harrison said. "I mean Vandy is like a home to me it's hard to leave home. But I just really, really wanted to play with DJ. next year." J. led Colorado in scoring this past season, his first in Boulder.

He will be a senior next year, which would give David only one year to play basketball with his older brother. "I'm expecting to play a lot as a freshman Harrison said. "You've got to grow up sometime." Despite the disappointment Dennis Harrison felt with his son shunning his alma mater, he said the family is supportive of his decision and excited his two oldest boys will get to play college basketball together. By David Bocuir Sports writer NASHVILLE Samari Rolle is not certain which city he will call home this fall. So he sought refuge at home.

The Tennessee Titans' All-Pro cornerback, who was a late arrival for last week's passing camp workouts, was a no-show Wednesday after he reportedly spent two days visiting the St Louis Rams. Apparently he was in South Florida, where he grew up, waiting to see just what his future will hold. Rolle is a restricted free agent who can sign an offer sheet from Inside Prep Sports, 3C: La Vergne tops Blackmail ff-J in baseball NHL Playoffs, 5C: Detroit beats Los Angeles 5-3 in the opening round Outdoors, 8C: "Fistiing on Percy Priest Lake is improving mm rap Steadman Marlin gets out of his car in pits after hitting the second turn Wednesday during ARCA practice. and dogged-ness and understanding of the future that landed the new Nashville Superspeedway Kfiiiarelv nn their soil. Greg Pogue And not in Rutherford County.

So as film crews filmed and reported, first paraded the county executive, followed by the mayor of Lebanon, the sheriff, members of the county's recently formed sports authority and anybody else across the border who understood the project's importance. Superspeedway opens as quite the landmark to not only a sport that is quickly joining the mainstream as a national icon, but also as a statement by a county that yearned to be a major player in a major way. You didn't see any of Rutherford County's movers and shakers at Wednesday's gathering. That's because several years ago, they didn't move and they didn't shake. Consequently, they weren't invited to the festivities that included legendary NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr.

No, this was Wilson County's first of many days to shine. And try as they might folks in Rutherford County can't claim something that doesn't belong to them. But it didn't have to be that way. With a very few landowners holding the county hostage, Rutherford County will not reap any of the benefits from taxation on concessions, ticket sales, merchandise, parking, etc. Sure, that would have been divided between the two counties, with Wilson County most likely getting the lion's share.

But even if it were going to be split' two-thirds that way and one-third this way, Rutherford County's coffers would have benefited enormously. That's not to mention the immeasurable national repute and county pride of having such a facility sitting at least partially within its border. And if and when Nashville Superspeedway lands a Winston Cup race and the facility is built out to seat some 150,000 fans, then the jnoaning should become louder and the finger-pointing more precise on just who dropped the ball and how. But now and, most certainly, later all Rutherford County has is the hope of an overflow of tourists who don't spend their money in either Davidson or Wilson counties. And trust this: The folks at Nashville Superspeedway are directing race fans to those other two counties first as evidenced by a lack of inclusion of Ruther-! ford County businesses in widely distributed fan guide.

By the way, where are the new; interchange off state Route 84Q and the new connector road be-; tween state Route 840 and U.S; Highway 231? Both are hv Rutherford County. Yeah, the folks of Wilson County are having quite the last laugh, as evidenced by their county executive bragging to a howling crowd that he made sure early in negotiations that the ticket office was to be built in Wilson County, if the superspeedway was sit in both counties. No', Nashville Superspeedway Kit fYtiintt; 'An1 in that Jiere the8core at the end ot the day i Wilson County 1, Rutherford County 0. M. JL k- It 4 editor.

.5. a tf Nashville Superspeedway opens today ByGregPogue Executive sports editor GLADEVILLE Before embarking on the future, Nashville Superspeedway honored the past. And in doing so, many of the roads around the Wilson County facility were named Wednesday in honor of some of the sport's legends, both locally and nationally. Included was legendary NASCAR Chairman Bill France who parlayed his father's founding of stock car racing's premier governing body in 1948 into one of the most powerful entities in all of sports. the wall "As we began planning for our week of activities leading up to the Nashville Superspeed-way's inaugural weekend," Superspeedway general manager Cliff Hawks said, "we wanted to take a moment and acknowledge a select group of individuals who have had a profound impact on the world of motor sports.

"And what better way than to name the very roads (hat race fans will travel year after year opteEfly esi South Iop -Mart RMES SCHEDULE TODAY 8:30 a.m. Gates Open 10:30 a.m. ARCA Qualifying Noon Busch Practice 2 p.m. ARCA Final Practice 3 p.m. Busch Practice FRIDAY 8:30 a.m.

Gates Open 9 a.m. Busch Practice 1 p.m. Busch Qualifying 3:30 p.m. ARCA Pre-Race 4 p.m. ARCA Race SATURDAY 8 a.m.

Gates Open 10:30 a.m. Busch Pre-Race 11:30 a.m. Driver Intros Noon Busch Race facility here at Nashville Superspeedway out in Wilson County he added. "There is a rich history in motor sports racing in this part of the state. And there have been a huge number of drivers who have come out of this area who have made it to the top ranks.

NASCAR Winston (See Racing, page 6C) long-term deal. They also hope to sign quarter- back Steve McNair to a long-term extension, and the two things might be. related. If the Titans are forced to match an offer to Rolle it likely would require funds that could be freed up by reworking McNair's deal. "I'm ready to get this thing over with so we can keep Samari if that's the case," McNair said.

"You don't want to lose too many guys, especially a guy like Samari. If that's what it takes, we're going to try to push this thing to get it done before that time frame." Bused Po'nfs lender 1236 1- Kevin Hrvick 1113 Jason feller 1007 "982 971 923 917 1049 3. Greg Bijfle 1049 3. Jeff Green 1039 5. Jimmia Johnson; 1008 6.

Mike MctauqlVin unrestricted free agent Tennessee currently holds the rights to Rolle because it made him the highest allowable qualifying ROLLE offer (one year, $1,488 million) last month. If he signs somewhere else the Titans would receive first and third-round draft picks as compensation. Already the best pass defender in the team's secondary, the value of the three-year veteran has in- Toot's any other NFL franchise, and teams have until Monday to make such an offer. In that event, the Titans would have seven days to match the deal or allow him to sign with the other club. "It's out of his control," Titans' veteran safety Blaine Bishop said.

"If the Rams make an offer then the Titans have to match it, so it's up to the Titans; it's not up to Samari Rolle. It's a business thing. If they make an offer and we don't match it, then he's a Ram." St Louis also has talked to Aeneas Williams, a former Pro Bowler with Arizona who is an RESTAURANT 860 N.W. Brood Sto 698-1301 Coming Preview of Friday's ARCA race at the Nashville Superspeedway; preview of the MTSUArkansas-Llttle Rock baseball series Spomr Ticker SCOREBOARD Winston Cup Points Leaders 7ennessee Vols forward Vincent Yarbrough announced Wednesday he is staying for his senior season. Yarbrough, UTs leading scorer and rebounder, averaged 13.9 points and 7.4 boards perv game last season for the LDaleJarrett 2.

Jeff Gordon 3. Sterling Marlin 3. Johnny Benson 5. Steve Park 6. Sterling Martin underachieving Vols See YARBROUGH story on page 6C..