dential election year since 1996. They are down 15 percent so far in 2016, though not all of that can be attributed to

RICHMOND, Va. -- After seven months and 28 races, NASCAR has hit that part of the season that really matters. The start of the playoffs signifies a shift in attitude and aggression, and if there was any doubt the mindset had changed, Kevin Harvick posted a warning about his mood for the next 10 weeks.It was a video of an angry bull charging into the grandstands.And so the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship begins Sunday at Chicagoland Speedway with 16 drivers laser-focused on the big prize. Its 10 races, three rounds of elimination, and every man for himself.So dont be surprised if tempers boil over, paint is traded on the track, angry words are exchanged. Its already started, to a degree. Tony Stewart has intentionally wrecked drivers in two consecutive races, including Saturday nights regular-season finale with contact that officially ended Ryan Newmans shot at making the Chase.A frustrated Newman called his former boss bipolar and said Stewart had anger issues. Stewart was nonchalant, said Newman had it coming after running into him three times at Richmond.Remember, the Chase and this format can bring out the worst in even the most mild-mannered driver. Matt Kenseth tackled Brad Keselowski in a very un-Kenseth-like attack in 2014, then he earned a NASCAR suspension last year for an intentional crash that ruined Joey Loganos title chances.Denny Hamlin, who won Saturday night at his home track to give Joe Gibbs Racing three consecutive victories at Richmond and wins in nine of the last 15, said the jockeying for the final spots in the Chase field led to some of the recent aggression. He also speculated the length of the season could be a contributor, especially for drivers not battling for the title.Some guys have a care factor thats really low right now, Hamlin said. I think things get a little bit tamer in the Chase because people are aware of the Chase cars. Whether they say so or not, they definitely race a little bit more careful around those guys, especially when youre not racing for a win.As for the Chase drivers themselves? When the field will be trimmed by four at the end of each round, Hamlin expects to see tense racing.As guys get eliminated, it could definitely ramp back up again, he said.Harvick certainly plans to live up to his word.The 2014 champion, the first winner under the elimination format, has never backed down from anyone or anything. His scathing assessment of his pit crew led to two changes to his race team last week. When he was flagged for speeding on pit road, driver error instead of team error, it could have been seen as a bit of karma working against Harvick for being less than politically correct about his own crew.He doesnt care what it takes, though, he just wants results.You just have to be selfish. You have to do whats best for your team, worry about the consequences when all the dust settles, he said. You have to be narrow-minded, not listen to anything, and do whatever it takes to figure out how to make the best performance. Every point matters. This is a minute-by-minute battle.You just try to think of dotting every I and crossing every T because thats what its all about, and you have to get everything out of every person that touches everything on that car at another level to win this deal.So now its about strategy and how each driver plans to attack each round.For some, like Chris Buescher, just getting into the 16-driver field was the prize. Last years Xfinity Series champion made the Chase by winning a rain-shortened race at Pocono, but he doesnt want to settle for a happy to be here attitude.We look at this first round, and we want to make it past that round. We want to move through the Chase, Buescher said. Then we can re-evaluate from there. If we can keep going farther and improve our program each and every weekend, thats always going to be what were aiming to do.Stewart is also assessing his final Chase appearance before he retires at the end of the year. He slumped his way into the 2011 Chase and said his team didnt even deserve a spot in the field.Then he won the whole thing, his third NASCAR title.So hes just going to play this one by ear.Who knows whats going to happen? he said. All I care about right now is getting ready for Chicago. Once we get through that, Ill worry about Week 2. This is a stressful 10 weeks and you take it one week at a time. Thats what we did in `11, and it worked.DJ Stewart Jersey . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. Don Baylor Jersey . Belfort (24-10) needed just 77 seconds to down Henderson in the headlining bout of Saturdays "UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Henderson" event at Goiania Arena in Goiania, Brazil. The fight served as a rematch of the pairs 2006 meeting, which Henderson won by decision. https://www.cheaporioles.com/ . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. Whitey Herzog Jersey . Zvonareva, who won the tournament in 2009 and 10, couldnt handle her opponents big groundstrokes in only her third event back after 17 months out with a shoulder injury. Zvonareva made her comeback in January in Shenzhen and played in the Australian Open but lost her first matches at both tournaments. Lee May Jersey . John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, showed he can score if required, scoring 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead.HOUSTON -- His eyes on Las Vegas, Raiders owner Mark Davis says he hasnt shut the door on anything. Oakland, though, might have shut the door on itself as home for his team.Oakland was in the drivers seat if they couldve put together anything, Davis said Wednesday at the NFLs fall meetings, after updating his fellow owners on his desire to relocate to the gambling capital. They came up with nothing.Las Vegas has already done what it is supposed to do and we have to bring it up to the National Football League and get permission to move to Las Vegas.Nevada lawmakers approved a deal last week that increases hotel taxes in the Las Vegas area to raise $750 million for a stadium and more than $400 million to expand and upgrade the Las Vegas Convention Center. Billionaire casino owner Sheldon Adelson is putting $650 million toward the project, while the Raiders and the NFL will kick in $500 million.Commissioner Roger Goodell also said the NFL is looking into establishing a developmental league; re-examining the rules for on-field player celebrations; and reopening the labor agreement. He said the league is monitoring declining TV ratings, too.Several owners insisted its far too early to reach any conclusions in the Raiders relocation issue, and none of them wanted to touch the relationship an NFL team might have with a casino mogul.Goodell supported Davis assertion there has been no movement toward keeping the franchise in the Bay Area, saying we have been working to see if there are alternatives and we dont have one in Oakland.If Oakland is going to be successful in offering the Raiders and the NFL a viable alternative to moving to Las Vegas, I have to stay clearheaded, said Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf. I cannot afford for us to be thrown off our game because Nevada lawmakers have deemed it appropriate to put $750 million in public money towards a private sports facility. While Im committed to keeping the Raiders, I will not enter into a bidding war with Nevada using public funds.Any relocation needs approval from three-fourths of the 32 NFL owners. Theres also the potential for the Raiders to join the Rams in Los Angeles, where a new facility is being built; they would have that option should the Chargers, who have the first option, remain in San Diego, a decision that team must make by mid-January.But those scenarios also have the possibility of being put on hold -- the Chargers could request a delay, something the owners also would need to vote on.Davis also said he believes having a new stadium ready in Las Vegas by 2019 would be really quick. He acknowledged the Raiders could play a preseason game as soon as next summer in the existing Sam Boyd Stadium, but that facility isnt anywhere near up to NFL standards for regular-season games.Besides, Davis plans to play the next two years in Oakland because the team has a lease with two one-year options there. He cited stability for the players and front office, insisting he doesnt envision a scorched earth policy from the fans.Houston Texans owner Robert McNair noted he was impressed with all the work done in Las Veegas at this point to get the Raiders.ddddddddddddIm pleased theyve made as much progress as they have, he said. Well look at it when it is finally presented in total. These things are still so fluid until they nail everything down we dont know what were looking at. Well wait until we have a full package.Goodell also reaffirmed the leagues longstanding opposition to legalized gambling on sporting events.There clearly has been a society shift as far as how people view gambling, he said. We are still very much opposed to legalized gambling on sports. We think that has an impact on the integrity of our game.Also:- As part of its 2020 Plan, Goodell said hes particularly interested in creating a developmental league. The NFL has not had one since NFL Europe went out of business in 2007, leaving only the CFL and some indoor leagues as places to nurture prospects.Weve talked about it, and ... that is something we might want to do, Goodell said. Teams pick up 300 to 400 players on average from the beginning of the season to the end. Having them ready to play would be helpful.- Recognizing that many fans disagree with the strict rules about player celebrations, Goodell said that the powerful competition committee looks into that topic every year.It comes to balancing a lot of issues and keeping the professional standards we want to hold. Its part of being a professional.- While praising the labor agreement with the union that extends into early 2021, Goodell said the league frequently has spoken with the NFL Players Association about various aspects of the CBA and how to improve it. We believe that ultimately would be a good thing and weve shared ideas with the union.Were seeing what we structured five years ago working very well for all parties. Its leading to a safer game. We think its leading to more long-term investments in the communities and stadiums ... and it has obviously led to increases in compensation, Goodell added.I think we are aware of the basic issues and we look forward to (negotiating) at the appropriate time.- Asked about declining TV ratings, Goodell mentioned that two of the lowest-rated games were up against presidential debates. He also took note of fragmented audiences that are an issue throughout television, and added he doesnt see player protests during the national anthem as a factor in diminished ratings.NFL TV ratings have dropped in every presidential election year since 1996. They are down 15 percent so far in 2016, though not all of that can be attributed to counter-programming. Those ratings went down 6 percent in 1996, 10 percent in 2000, 2 percent in 2004 and in 2008, and 4 percent in 2012, according to NFL Network.I dont think there is a single reason for it, Goodell said. We look at all those factors. Everyone has theories.There are a lot of factors to be considered. We dont make excuses. We try to look at whats causing it and make changes.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '