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James Hinchcliffe is one of the most personable -- and marketable -- drivers in the IndyCar Series. Hes been a natural fit for the star-strapped series in every promotional opportunity presented, yet he is far from a household name.The popular Canadian will now step on the biggest stage yet in an effort to show if he can dance. Hinchcliffe will participate in the upcoming season of Dancing With the Stars even though this is not something that is exactly in his wheelhouse.If theres something below amateur, Hinchcliffe said of his dancing skills, it would be that.Hinchcliffe will be the second IndyCar driver to dance on the ABC hit. Helio Castroneves won the show in 2007, but did not receive enough fan votes to advance deep into a 2015 all-star edition.On a show that relies on popularity as much as it does dancing skills, moving through the first few weeks could be challenging.That was no deterrent to Hinchcliffe, who returned for his sixth season in IndyCar this year after a near-fatal accident 15 months ago. Hinchcliffe was practicing for the Indianapolis 500 when his thigh was pierced by a broken piece of car during a wreck. He nearly bled to death as he was hustled into life-saving surgery. Hinchcliffe needed most of last year to recover, and the experience taught him to enjoy the present moment.One of those lessons is to take opportunities, not shy away from things, dont be afraid, he said. Youve got to kind of live your life. This is one of those things that might not have ever come around again, and it is outside my comfort zone, so it was certainly not a decision I took lightly, but I think ultimately we made the right choice to be a part of it, and Im looking forward to getting started.With two races left in his comeback season, Hinchcliffe is eighth in the IndyCar standings. He nearly won last Saturday night at Texas Motor Speedway but was passed on the last lap.The end of the season gives Hinchcliffe a chance to learn how to dance. He practiced Tuesday and Wednesday in Indianapolis with DWTS partner Sharna Burgess, but hes off to upstate New York for this weekends race at Watkins Glen.He also has the season finale in Sonoma, California, on Sept. 18. Once the season is over, he will relocate to Los Angeles if he advances on the show.Hinchcliffe is hoping for a lengthy run, not just for his own brand, but for the potential growth of IndyCar.This kind of thing, sure, it benefits me personally, but it also benefits the sport, he said. Ive always said from day one that anything that I can do outside of a race car to help grow the sport of IndyCar racing is something you can sign me up for because Ive got such a passion for this sport.---RPM REORGANIZATIONRichard Petty Motorsports has released vice president of operations Sammy Johns in an organizational restructuring to jumpstart a struggling team.RPM heads into the 25th race of the Sprint Cup Season without a driver in the top 20 in points. Aric Almirola is 25th in the standings, while Brian Scott is 33rd and neither has a top-10 finish this season.Philippe Lopez and Scott McDougall will temporarily oversee all competition duties previously held by Johns.The past several years, we have made significant investments in our organization with the goal of winning races and to compete at a high level on a weekly basis, said Brian Moffitt, chief executive officer. Unfortunately, we have not seen the on-track results that we expected this season.---SMI-$10 TICKETSSpeedway Motorsports Inc. will offer reduced-priced tickets to Sprint Cup Series next season at its eight tracks.NASCAR has already said kids 12 and under can attend Truck Series and Xfinity Series races free in 2017.Now, SMI will allow the purchase of up to two $10 tickets for children ages 12 and under with the purchase of an adult ticket. The offer is good at all SMI-owned tracks: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Texas Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Charlotte Motor Speedway, Sonoma Raceway, Kentucky Speedway and New Hampshire Motor Speedway.Coming to the races should be about fun, not finances, SMI CEO Marcus Smith said in a statement. Now a parent can get his or her child through the gates for an entire weekend of NASCAR events -- including pole night, a Camping World Truck or Xfinity Series race and a Cup Series race -- for just $10.This is one of the best, if not the best, family values in all professional sports.---STATISTICALLY SPEAKINGRichard Childress Racing will be trying to win its third consecutive Xfinity Series race with a third different driver on Saturday at Darlington Raceway.Joe Gibbs Racing pulled off the feat in 2008 when Kyle Busch won at Mexico City, Tony Stewart won at Talladega and Denny Hamlin won at Richmond.RCR went to victory lane two weeks ago at Bristol with Austin Dillon, and Michael McDowell won last weekend at Road America. Womens Wholesale NFL Jerseys . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Wholesale NFL Jerseys 2018 . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. http://www.nflfanaticshop.com/ . PETERSBURG, Fla. Wholesale NFL Jerseys . Irving scored 23 points, Tristan Thompson had 20 points and 10 rebounds and the Cavaliers beat the Denver Nuggets 117-109 on Friday night. Black Wholesale NFL Jerseys . The Canadian squad, skipped by Jennifer Jones of Winnipeg, got on the board first with two in the second end, and followed that with two more apiece in the fourth and sixth ends. Its understandable if you missed the Dallas Cowboys story last week. Between the Cubs World Series title and the election, a lot has been happening. But that doesnt make this story any less notable.During the most recent NFL owners meetings, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones approached the leagues top investigator, Lisa Friel, and raised his voice at her while discussing Ezekiel Elliott, the rookie running back who is being investigated by the NFL for alleged domestic violence, according to several people who witnessed the encounter.Jones said he recognized that investigations were her bread and butter and ended the conversation with: Your bread and butter is going to get both of us thrown out on the street, according to ESPN The Magazine reporter Seth Wickersham, who witnessed the encounter, which was reported by Outside the Lines. Other witnesses downplayed Jones intensity.A public relations person immediately led Jones out of the hotel bar. An NFL spokesperson said there arent any rules against this kind of interaction.But that doesnt mean it isnt problematic.Its unsettling that Jones thinks he can lobby Friel on Elliotts behalf in an informal setting. On one hand, you cant blame him -- the league has been completely inconsistent in handing down penalties related to domestic violence accusation. The NFL has used mitigating factors to reduce suspensions, and it never has used aggravating factors to increase a punishment.The NFLs disciplinary process isnt a court of law, but players and fans should be able to have confidence that the case is at least getting a clear-eyed look. Jones actions undermined any appearance of an unbiased review.Jones should respect the process. But the NFL should make sure the process is one to respect.The owners meetings took place a week before new information emerged on former Giants kicker Josh Brown. Brown had been suspended for only one game after a domestic violence arrest last year. The punishment fell well short of the six-game minimum suspension called for in the NFLs 2014 Personal Conduct Policy.In a document released later, Brown admitted to domestic abuse against his wife. It was information the investigation didnt initially have, but it echoed statements his wife made to police when she called 911. Brown was released by the Giants on Oct..dddddddddddd25.Elliotts case is very different. Hes hasnt been arrested, nor has he had charges filed against him. According to a July 22 police report, Elliotts girlfriend claimed he assaulted her and said she had pain in her right wrist and a red mark. Four witnesses to the incident said they did not observe an assault, and police directed his girlfriend to the prosecutors office.USA Today reported Nov. 4 that the same woman called police in Florida in February with similar allegations.The NFL said in July that it would review the allegations against Elliott under its personal conduct policy.In any review, players should be able to expect a resolution in a reasonable amount of time. Friel will sort through the evidence she can gather. Her group will make a recommendation, and commissioner Roger Goodell will review it.But Jones actions seem to imply that Friels investigative work is detrimental to the league. Elliott is one of the brightest young stars in the NFL. If he were to receive a suspension, and the 6-1 Cowboys were to lose him for any length of time, it could affect the teams NFC East standings and their shot at the playoffs. That could take money out of Jones pocket.Friel is no shrinking violet. Jones type of persuasion isnt likely to have an effect on her investigation. She was at the meeting to give owners a presentation on her work -- work that apparently isnt fully appreciated by all 31 owners.Jones doesnt understand punishing a marquee player because he doesnt see the NFLs problem with domestic violence. He praised Greg Hardys leadership during a season when these photos of Hardys ex-girlfriend were published. If Hardy had played better, if he hadnt stormed into a special teams huddle and knocked a clipboard out of a coachs hands, its possible that hed still be in a Dallas uniform.Is that the NFLs bread and butter?Although there are still serious problems with the investigations, at least the NFL is making a serious and sustained effort to impose discipline so fans dont have to justify cheering for a player like Hardy.Jones should at the very least understand that and show some respect for the woman who represents that effort. ' ' '