COMMENTARY - OrlandoSentinel.com

Richard Petty, Danica Patrick lead culture clash at Coca-Cola 600

George Diaz — Sat, 26 May 2012 22:18:00 GMT

CONCORD, N.C. — The King is at the front of the pack, hoping to end 13 years of solitude away from Victory Lane.

Coca-Cola 600 an endurance test for man and machine

George Diaz — Sat, 26 May 2012 01:44:13 GMT

CONCORD, N.C. — Wanna go for a 600-mile spin on Sunday without a potty break and hardly a thing to eat?

Ignorance denies Wendell Scott NASCAR hall pass

George Diaz — Fri, 25 May 2012 01:35:00 GMT

CONCORD, N.C. — Wendell Scott has been dead for 22 years and obviously remains buried in the muck of indifference and ignorance.

What's the end game in Magic Mayhem?

George Diaz — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:10:30 GMT

The Orlando Magic are missing a great marketing opportunity:

NASCAR trumps IndyCar in fan appeal

George Diaz — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:23:00 GMT

NASCAR began its season on fire, literally, and continues to leave a blistering trail across America.

Orlando Magic need to be creative, different, choosing next coach, GM

George Diaz — Mon, 21 May 2012 23:29:00 GMT

It's time to be creative, Orlando Magic.

Chipper Jones' legacy honors loyalty, longevity

George Diaz — Sun, 20 May 2012 21:07:00 GMT

ST. PETERSBURG — He is a throwback superstar without the petty pretense and the explosive twitter account, atrocious spelling optional.

Oscar De La Hoya battles drug demons day by day

George Diaz — Wed, 16 May 2012 23:26:00 GMT

I first met Oscar De La Hoya in the spring of 1992 in Tampa. He was sharp, good-looking and the best amateur boxer in the United States back then, prepping for the Summer Olympics in Barcelona.

Jimmie Johnson back chasing championships

George Diaz — Tue, 15 May 2012 21:20:00 GMT

It didn't seem that long ago that Jimmie Johnson was sputtering, his chances of taking back his Sprint Cup championship all but doomed after a disastrous Speedweeks.

UCF fighting losing cause appealing Plancher verdict

George Diaz — Sun, 13 May 2012 23:17:00 GMT

I'm not much of a ramblin' gamblin' man, in the immortal words of Bob Seger, but I suppose that the University of Central Florida has embraced that mentality by appealing the Ereck Plancher wrongful death verdict.

Talladega racing brings restrictor-plate controversy again

George Diaz — Tue, 08 May 2012 22:31:00 GMT

When they were children, NASCAR drivers probably got peeved when they asked for G.I. Joe dolls and Santa delivered exactly what they wanted Christmas morning.

Brad Keselowski survives steamy shootout at Talladega

George Diaz — Sun, 06 May 2012 23:32:00 GMT

TALLADEGA, Ala. — Much like dominoes falling, NASCAR's high-speed machines could not withstand the collective forces of nature in the sport's most bouncy race track.

A father's influence inspires Cotto; the same tears Mayweathers apart

George Diaz — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:03:00 GMT

One man fights to honor his father.

Pitiful Magic short on poise and patience against Pacers

George Diaz — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:02:00 GMT

Stan Van Gundy spoke of patience and poise hours before his Orlando Magic team took on the Indiana Pacers in Wednesday's NBA playoff scrum.

Kyle Busch surging, Kurt Busch struggling this season

George Diaz — Tue, 01 May 2012 20:46:00 GMT

Life is good for Kyle Busch.

Goodell's NFL abhors violence; Bettman's NHL ignores it

George Diaz — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 01:28:27 GMT

Even with a toxic blend of controversy and chaos swirling around him, Roger Goodell is in control as he welcomes a new batch of stars into his league Thursday night.

'Boys have at it' losing punch this season

George Diaz — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:15:50 GMT

NASCAR's "Boys, have at it" attitude is taking a less confrontational shift this season.

Magic likely regretting potential deal for Andrew Bynum

George Diaz — Sun, 22 Apr 2012 23:03:00 GMT

A show of hands for anyone thinking the Orlando Magic are having seller's remorse over Dwight Howard?

Christy Martin's greatest fight will be in Orlando courtroom

George Diaz — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 22:15:00 GMT

Longtime boxing publicist Bill Caplan respectfully calls Christy Martin "Rasputin."

Greg Biffle on the ride of his life this Cup season

George Diaz — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 19:10:00 GMT

There are a lot of really good things you can say about Greg Biffle.

Urban Meyer-Steve Spurrier Florida envy understandable

George Diaz — Sun, 15 Apr 2012 21:31:00 GMT

One former University of Florida football coach is revered for his unapologetic honesty.

No reason to 'celebrate' firing of Bobby Petrino

George Diaz — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:04:00 GMT

And so the University of Arkansas fired a lying, slimy coach who was hell on wheels?

Matt Kenseth finally gets to celebrate Daytona 500 victory

George Diaz — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 00:53:00 GMT

It figures that Matt Kenseth would have to wait six weeks to officially celebrate his 2012 Daytona 500 victory.

Ozzie Guillen's Castro apology won't silence anger of Cuban-Americans

George Diaz — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 23:14:00 GMT

Two significant commentaries rekindled my connection to my native Cuba recently.

Tampa Bay Rays will chase AL title with budget-conscious plan

George Diaz — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 04:00:00 GMT

The New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox shop in the ritzy section of town. Champagne wishes and caviar dreams accompany their free-agency acquisitions.