Patrick keeps her plans under wraps
Danica Patrick remains a hot topic despite being a meager fifth in IndyCar points and having won only once in her pro career.
This summer she has been a big tease about moving to NASCAR stock cars while negotiating a new contract with IndyCar team owner Michael Andretti.
The buzz now, according to the SportsByBrooks.com blog, is that she will pose naked in the October issue of ESPN The Magazine's issue of nude athletes that's intended to challenge Sports Illustrated's annual swimsuit issue for most exploitative features that have little to do with sports.
A representative for the public relations first that helps represent Patrick informed CNBC that "Danica is NOT confirmed to appear in the issue, nor has she even been approached."
ESPN The Magazine's editor-in-chief, Gary Belsky, told CNBC in an e-mail the magazine's officials would not say who will be in the issue.
Patrick appeared in this year's SI swimsuit issue.
If she can't beat 'em on the track, she might as well tantalize them off it.
• FLAG FOOTBALL NO OPTION -- St. Paul College canceled its football season opener two days before it was scheduled to play at West Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday.
Everything was set except St. Paul had yet to receive its shipment of new equipment, including helmets.
No one from St. Paul, a Division II school in South Hill, Va., was talking about the missing delivery.
Wesleyan athletic director Ken Tyler said Friday after he was told of the situation that he asked St. Paul athletic director Leroy Bacote how the team had been practicing without helmets and pads. Tyler was told the players did calisthenics in shorts and T-shirts.
• VICK AIMS HIGHER -- You already know Michael Vick started his post-prison NFL stint with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday.
Vick said in a postgame news conference he was about "70 percent" for the game and claimed the "sky's the limit" for him.
That made birdwatchers nervous.
• PATRIOTISM FIRST -- Ohio State is using a video to urge its fans to cheer wildly when the Navy Midshipmen run into Ohio Stadium on Sept. 5 to face the No. 6-ranked Buckeyes.
"Buckeyes know there are some things more important than football ... (like) service to your country and respecting and appreciating those who serve," says the video that can be seen at youtube.com.
The Ohio State athletic department missive encourages the 105,000 Buckeyes faithful to rise and cheer for Navy.
Not all Navy players like the friendly greetings they often receive.
"My dad always says how awesome it is when we run in and (opposing fans) clap," Navy senior linebacker Clint Sovie said. "But I always say I kind of hate it. We love going into hostile environments."
The Ohio State request ends if Navy scores first.
The Midshipmen will be the first service academy to play in Columbus since 1931. A more patriotic act would be to host a military academy more than once every 78 years.
COMPILED BY JEFF WOLF LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL
