Jimmie Johnson reveals Darlington Throw Back Scheme

Hendrick Motorsports unveiled the No. 48 Chevrolet that Jimmie Johnson will drive Labor Day weekend at Darlington Raceway on Wednesday, flashing a throwback paint scheme that pays tribute to NASCAR Hall of Famers David Pearson and Dale Earnhardt.

Johnson’s car will maintain primary sponsorship by Lowe’s Home Improvement for theBojangles’ Southern 500 on Sept. 4, but with a retro-themed look for NASCAR’s annual throwback weekend. The blue-and-yellow paint scheme is reminiscent of the No. 2 entries that Rod Osterlund once fielded for Earnhardt and Pearson in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Go to NASCAR.com to check out a picture of the 48 throwback scheme.

ESPN Host John Saunders Dies at age 61

Popular ESPN host John Saunders  has died unexpectedly today at the age of 61. Hanna Storm announced his passing live on ESPN this morning.  Saunders was popular for hosting and anchoring sports broadcasts on ESPN and ABC.  John worked for ESPN for 30 years.  Saunders passed away in New York  and no further details have been released surrounding his death.  Police have stated that there is no suspicion or foul play involved.  Saunders was a staple in the sports broadcasting and also hosted Monday Night Football on the popular sports network.

Saunders is survived by his wife, Wanda, and two daughters.

Stay tune to Beaver County Radio.com for further updates on this developing story.

RG III named Cleveland Browns Starting Quarterback

Robert Griffin III is back to being a starting quarterback in the NFL. The Cleveland Browns made the announcement Monday morning.

Griffin had been battling Josh McCown for the starting job.  Griffin was rookie of the year and made the Pro Bowl in his rookie season after being selected second in the 2012 draft by the Washington Redskins.

Tune into the Saturday Sports Slam this Saturday from 8-10 AM. Frank  and Greg will discuss what this means for the Browns and what will happen with Josh McCowen.

Bryan Clauson former Nascar Driver Killed in racing accident

Bryan Clauson, a sprint-car specialist who made 26 career starts in the NASCARXFINITY Series, died Sunday. He was 27 years old.

Clauson crashed Saturday night during a U.S. Auto Club (USAC) midget car race at the Belleville High Banks, a half-mile dirt track in Belleville, Kansas. Amateur video showed his open-wheel sprint car flipping in Turn 4, where it was struck by another vehicle.

Clauson was airlifted to a hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska, where he was pronounced dead late Sunday.

Steelers Start Camp

All the players are in town, the timed runs have been completed, and now it is time to get down to work.  The Steelers will hold their first practice this afternoon.  The practice with out pads starts at 2:55.  The gates open at St. Vincent College at noon. Off the top, the team got an apology from RB Le’Vion Bell for causing a distraction. Bell is facing a four game suspension for violating the NFL’s drug policy. Back and ready for action is center Maurkice Pouncey. Pouncey missed the entire 2015 season due to a broken ankle with compications in the pre-season.  The first pre-season game is Friday August 12th against the Detroit Lions at Heinz Field.

Pirates On The Road

Injuries have forced the Pirates to dip into their Triple A affiliate to fill out the roster for the series with the Brewers. Left hand pitcher Steven Brault will start tonight. There will have to be a roster move to make room for Brault.  Jammison Tallion will start Saturday night.  After being blown out by the Mariners, Francisco  Liriano will start Sunday afternoon. Tonight’s starter for the Brewers Junior Guerra is 6-3, however he has lost his last three starts.  Saturdays pitcher Matt Garza is 1-4 and lost to Pirates last weekend. The Brewers have yet to name a starter for Sunday’s game.

Cavaliers Coach Gets Rewarded

The NBA Champion Cleveland Cavilers have reward their coach.  Tyronn Lue has agreed to a five year deal worth 35-million dollars.  The first four years are guaranteed.  Lue was put in a difficult situation when the Cavilers fired  David Blatt in January.  He got the team to focus and lead the Cavilers to  Cleveland’s first Championship since 1964.

Fanfest With No Cup

The Penguins will hold their annual Fanfest  August 27-28 at the Consol Energy Center. The event will be divided into four session. It will have  youth games , interactive displays, and autograph sessions with current players.  The only thing missing will be the Stanley Cup.  It has a previous engagement.  The cost is ten dollars.  Tickets go on sale Wednesday at 10 AM via Ticketmaster.

 

4 time Stanley Cup Champion Visits Chippewa

(Chippewa Township, PA)  Legendary  Pittsburgh Penguins  player and now broadcaster, Phil Bourque was part of the festivities as  WBVP-WMBA  did a  live broadcast at Chippewa Township’s  200th anniversary celebration on Saturday July 23, 2016.  The event was held at the newly dedicated and opened Chippewa Veterans Park and was am opportunity to showcase the new athletic facility s well as mark the township’s  bicentennial anniversary.  The massive athletic park has lots to offer and that fact wasn’t lost on Bourque who commented about how impressed he was with the new development.  Frank Sparks and Greg Benedetti, hosts of the “Saturday Morning Sports Slam” , anchored the live broadcast on WBVP and WMBA.