defense is solid. Once we get all our offensive weapons back, we sho

ELKHART LAKE, Wis. - Nelson Piquet Jr. was surging with confidence after winning the Nationwide race at Road America a year ago, optimistic that his success would lead to a full-time ride in NASCARs second-tier series. Now Piquet returns to the scene of his biggest stock-car racing moment still trying to find his footing on the next rung up the ladder. "Obviously, Im frustrated with our results," Piquet said Friday. "Were not where I wanted to be." Piquet, the first Brazilian to win a race in one of NASCARs major national series and the son of a three-time Formula One champion, ended up getting the full-time Nationwide ride he was looking for this year. He moved up a level with Turner Scott Motorsports after driving in the third-tier Camping World Truck series full time last year. He enters Saturdays race a respectable 13th in the Nationwide points standings, but he has had a pair of races end in wrecks while managing only one top-10 finish — ninth place at Michigan last week. "I think part of it is because it was a last-minute deal and we had to put a team together very quickly two weeks before Daytona," Piquet said. That hurts, Piquet said, given the level of competitiveness in the series. "Obviously, were fighting against Cup teams, so I dont think we have the best cars out there," Piquet said. "But I think if you get a team that works very well together, we can be competitive sometimes." Its telling, perhaps, that Piquets most notable moment this season was his infamous below-the-belt kick to fellow competitor Brian Scott after an altercation at Richmond International Raceway in April. If Piquet is to put that ugly moment behind him with another win this weekend, he might have to do it in the rain. Lightning in the area interrupted the Nationwide practice schedule Friday afternoon — drivers ended up practicing part of the afternoon on rain tires then changed to slicks as the track dried out — and there is a chance for more showers during Saturdays race at the scenic four-mile road course in Central Wisconsin. That brings up the possibility of racing in the rain on specially designed grooved rain tires, something fairly common in other forms of road racing, but almost unheard-of in NASCAR beyond a memorable 2008 Nationwide race in Montreal. AJ Allmendinger said a wet race might be a blast for fans, but not so much fun for drivers. "Itll be entertaining for people to watch, because itll be insane," Allmendinger said. Michael McDowell has a road racing background and doesnt mind the idea of driving in the rain, but has some concerns about other drivers who dont have experience in wet conditions. "Theres a lot of guys that dont have any experience," McDowell said. "And because of that, when you have heavy rains and lots of mist and lots of spray coming off the cars and you barrel down into Turn 5 and all the guy sees is a red light, were going to have a caution every couple of laps." Said Nationwide series points leader Regan Smith: "I think, at this point, Id prefer that it stays dry and dont worry about it. Its tough enough learning a new race track." Piquet wouldnt mind rain, but knows hell have a tough time repeating his victory either way. After spending most of his career in open-wheel road racing — including a stint in Formula One, which ended in scandal after he deliberately crashed in a race to help his teammate, allegedly because he was ordered to do so by his team — Piquet decided to try stock car racing. Beyond his Road America Nationwide win last year, he also had a successful 2012 in the Trucks Series, winning twice and finishing seventh in the points. To help him take the next step, Piquet hopes his team can get its chemistry issues sorted out. "Its frustrating, because we know we have a car that can be running constantly, lets say, in the top 10 — but were struggling to get close to the top 10," Piquet said. "(Im) trying to give my best, and obviously Im pushing the team as much as I can for them to get these issues sorted and try to get better." China Jerseys . Darren Helm scored on Detroits sixth attempt in the shootout and then Jonas Gustavsson stopped Andrew Shaws shot, lifting the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-4 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night. Cheap NFL Jerseys Authentic . Malkin got tangled up with Detroits Luke Glendening early in the third period and his left skate took the brunt of collision with the boards behind Pittsburghs net. http://www.chinajerseyswholesalestore.com/ . 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Since that 112-92 defeat in Dallas on Dec. 12, the Nuggets (11-16) won two straight while averaging 129.5 points a game.A return to full health is a big reason, and so is a change in the starting lineup. Coach Michael Malone moved Wilson Chandler into the power forward spot and shifted Nikola Jokic to center, bumping Jusuf Nurkic to the bench.The results are undeniable, although it is just two games into the new look.I like what I see, but Im by no means happy on the farm thinking weve got it all figured out, lets make reservations for the playoffs, Malone said after the Nuggets 127-114 win over the New York Knicks on Saturday. Its two games, its a small sample size, but I like what Ive seen.It is a big change from how he was feeling following the contest in Dallas last week. Losing by 20 to the Mavericks a few years ago was nothing to be angry about, but these Mavericks are in last place in the Western Conference. Denver wasnt competitive in the game.You can just throw this one out of the window, Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay said. We played horrible. Our defense wasnt there. ... Give them credit, though. They made a lot of shots. We got to let this one go and try to move forward in a positive way.For now, the problem seems to be solved. Denvers offense is moving the ball and hitting shots, and the defense is doing eenough to win.ddddddddddddThe wins have been few and far between for Dallas (7-20), in large part because of injuries. Dirk Nowitzki has played just five games this season because of a right Achilles strain. J.J. Berea (left calf strain) has played six games, and Andrew Bogut (right knee) has missed 11 games.The good news is Dallas may get all of them back by the start of 2017, which would make a big difference. The Mavericks have lost 11 games by 10 or fewer points, showing they are in games but dont have the weapons to close them out.Theres just stretches where we just cant score and we get in trouble, Nowitzki told The Dallas Morning News. I think our defense is solid. Once we get all our offensive weapons back, we should be fine.They were fine Sunday in a 99-79 win over the Sacramento Kings. Six Dallas players scored in double figures, with guard Devin Harris contributing 14 points, seven rebounds and seven assists off the bench.Dallas will need that kind of production if it wants to beat the Nuggets for the second time in eight days. Denver is firing on all cylinders offensively, and with the points coming from everywhere, it is hard to pick one player to stop.Weve just got to keep this going, said Nuggets guard Gary Harris, who had 16 points against New York, his second game back from a foot injury. I like the energy were playing with on both ends of the floor. Were having fun. 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