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SPARTA, Ky. -- Kentucky Speedway President Mark Simendinger hopes the tracks new pavement smooths the transition to another race with a new NASCAR downforce package.Resurfacing the 1.5 mile tri-oval was nearly done when the sanctioning body announced new rules in May to reduce downforce and side force and create more side-by-side racing. It follows last years changes here that helped produce one of the seasons most competitive races, won by Kyle Busch on his way to his first Sprint Cup championship.That was pretty impressive considering drivers had to sort things out during the race after rain washed out practice. The weather for last months two-day test was more cooperative, and the challenge in Saturday nights 400-mile headliner is finding the right formula on a reconfigured track with fewer bumps in the road.You wont leave with a headache, and thats the best part about it, points leader and 2014 Cup champion Kevin Harvick quipped during last months test.Banking in turns 1 and 2 was increased from 14 degrees to 17 degrees with track width on that end reduced by 18 feet. Turns 3 and 4 remain at 14 degrees, which Simendinger hopes will create a unique look during the tripleheader weekend that includes a 225-mile Camping World Truck Series race and Friday nights Xfinity Series 300-miler.Simendinger also notes that Kentuckys famous bumps arent totally gone, just smoother with new asphalt and drainage improvements. Figure in NASCAR rule changes to the rear spoiler, rear deck fin and front splitter, and the track president wouldnt be shocked by anything on Saturday night.Its going to be interesting, Simendinger said. Weve really been on this track, putting rubber down as much as we can to widen out the race groove. If we dont do that, theyre going to be more inclined just to follow a single groove until they can get it widened out. If were able to get it to where theyll be racing side by side, then we go to the Xfinity race and all those laps will be very, very helpful so that by the time we get to the Sprint Cup race, (drivers) should have a high degree of confidence.Few drivers enter more confident than Busch and Brad Keselowski. Each has won twice in five starts here and combined to lead 362 laps while winning the past two races.Keselowski is buoyed by last weekends victory at Daytona that has him 14 points behind Harvick in second place. Busch is 73 points back in sixth after running second at Daytona and is tied with Keselowski with a series-best three wins.Keselowski lamented Kentuckys reduction of the teeth-rattling bumps in the frontstretch but welcomed the differences between ends. The start of Thursdays first Cup practice suggested there will be growing pains, as the right rear of his No. 2 Ford got sideways and kissed the outside wall entering Turn 3 but escaped major damage.Whenever there are those discrepancies, I think thats when you see mistakes and when you see strengths and weaknesses that vary from car to car and driver to driver, the 2012 champion said before practice. I think thats a really good thing for our sport, so Im interested to see how thats going to play out this weekend.Busch was planning another three-race weekend at Kentucky that figures to provide plenty of time to get used to the changes. The tracks most successful driver speaks volumes about his adaptability on the old surface, and hes eager to see if he can be as good with the improvements.Hopefully I hope I can figure it out again and be a little bit better than some of these other guys, Busch said last month. Overall, it still has some character to it with some bumps down the front straightway. ... They did a decent job.Kevin Durant Warriors Jersey . The team also announced Tuesday that the Braves will wear a commemorative patch on the right sleeve during the season. The patch, shaped like home plate, carries the number 715, Aarons autograph and a "40th Anniversary" banner. Rick Barry Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? 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And, for three quarters, it showed as Gay shot a woeful three-for-13 from the field.Arsene Wenger says a red card for Arsenals Mathieu Flamini would have been harsh following his tackle on Dan Gosling, and admits he initially thought the foul was going to go for Arsenal when he saw it live.The Arsenal midfielders two-footed challenge on the Bournemouth man earned him a yellow card from referee Kevin Friend, but Wengers opposite number Eddie Howe says the decision to send off the Frenchman would not have been a difficult one.The incident came in the eighth minute with the score at 0-0, before Arsenal went on to win 2-0 thanks to goals from Mesut Ozil and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain. Flamini deserved red Mathieu Flamini was fortunate, says Graeme Souness And Wenger, who said upon second viewing that it was certainly a foul, added it would have been wrong to send Flamini off.Wenger told Sky Sports: Honestly, live I thought it was a foul for us, because I thought he was first to the ball. Bmouth 0-2 Arsenal Arsenal moved back to within five points of leaders Leicester Was his foot high? Certainly, because the referee gave a foul. Was it a red card? I thought it would have been a bit harsh.He continued to play, which is good that he didnt get injured. Flamini was shown a yellow card for the challenge Wengers Arsenal are back to within five points of Premier League leaders Leicester thanks to their firstt win in four games, and face the Foxes at the Emirates next Sunday at midday on Super Sunday.ddddddddddddAnd the Frenchman insists its another must-win game for the Gunners as they look for their first Premier League title since 2004, but says favourite tags for either side are irrelevant.Its another must-win game, we play at home and have our fans behind us, and we play against one of the favourites for the Premier League. Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe says Flamini should have been sent off We have a week to prepare now, and well do that. Favourite doesnt have great meaning, the only thing you can say is it is a big game.Its a very important weekend for the Premier League because of other big games next week. So lets prepare, and win it.Also See:Howe: Flamini deserved redSouness: Flamini should goBournemouth 0-2 ArsenalAs it happened ' ' '