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Dale Earnhardt Jr Bewildered by Denny Hamlin’s Atlanta Strategy

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Dale Earnhardt Jr Bewildered by Denny Hamlin’s Atlanta Strategy


Dale Earnhardt Jr. has voiced his confusion over Denny Hamlin’s unconventional and cautious strategy during the recent NASCAR race at Atlanta. Deviating from his usual approach of patiently hanging back and making a late charge, Hamlin’s tactics this time appeared ineffective and ultimately led to a wreck on the final lap.

Discussing the race on his well-regarded podcast, Dale Jr. Download, he dissected Hamlin’s race performance in detail.

“Well, again, this will all be a nothing burger if he advances. But that was not, that was out of character for Denny. A guy that’s like… it was just out of character I don’t know how else to say it,” he said.

For those familiar with Hamlin’s style, this shift was indeed unexpected. Typically, Hamlin bides his time at the back during superspeedway races, only making his move when he senses the moment is right.

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Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, and Ty Gibbs, driver of the #54 Monster Energy Toyota, race during the NASCAR Cup Series Cook…


Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

However, in Atlanta, Hamlin managed to inch up to nearly 20th place but then chose to back off once more, betting on a potential crash that would shake up the field.

Atlanta’s narrower track compared to behemoths like Daytona or Talladega contributed to his lack of movement up the pack.

“It’s harder for that strategy to work at Atlanta because the track width,” Earnhardt Jr. explained. “At a place like Daytona, Talladega, where you would use that same style maybe, you’ve got more room to kind of make your way forward and it was the logjam that made it, you know, he’s sitting there going ‘I’ve tried this strategy before, it is what it is, I had a bad qualifying, I’m not going to be in a hurry. Hopefully, there’s a lot of attrition.’

“There wasn’t. That didn’t work in his favor.”

Compounding Hamlin’s issues, the expected “big one” crash that usually thins out the leaders didn’t happen. There was a moment, involving Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe at the conclusion of Stage 1, but this wasn’t enough to disrupt the field as much as Hamlin had hoped.

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This left the Florida driver in a passive position throughout much of the race, waiting for an opportunity that never arrived.

“He never went on the attack. It was like he wasn’t going to make that move until the big crash happened, right? He was going to hope that the crash took a lot of people out of this race and making that 20 points more attainable.

“So, I don’t know man, I was a little surprised by it, I think he will probably still advance. If he doesn’t, then this is a bigger story,” Earnhardt Jr. added.

Hamlin’s gamble finally culminated in his own wreck during the overtime in turn four,

“So, look, they didn’t have the attrition and the crashes that Denny was anticipating, of course, the one they have he’s in it off turn four.

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“When he’s sitting back there with 40 to go and you’re watching the race and how the race has been going and how I guess, when you’re watching the pack and how the pack has been behaving, you’re thinking, ‘I don’t know how in the hell he thinks he’s going to drive up through this,’” Earnhardt Jr. finished.



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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta sisters win big on Family Feud — and say the real prize was being together

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Atlanta sisters win big on Family Feud — and say the real prize was being together


The Norman sisters definitely have something to be thankful for this Thanksgiving: they just won big on Family Feud.

The five sisters — four living in metro Atlanta and one in California — brought their energy, humor, and unmistakable charisma to the popular Steve Harvey-hosted game show. Their episodes, filmed back in March, finally aired this month.

As soon as they hit the stage, their enthusiasm was impossible to miss.

“We’re the Normans! Wooooo!” they cheered in their opening moment on screen.

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Even Steve Harvey couldn’t help hyping them up: “From Atlanta, Georgia… It’s the Norman Family!”

The Norman sisters compete on Family Feud.

Paramount


A dream come true for a lifelong Family Feud fan

For sister Liz Knipe, who lives in Atlanta, appearing on the show was a bucket-list moment more than a decade in the making.

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“I’ve wanted to be on Family Feud forever. My first audition was in 2014,” she said.

The sisters say their chemistry — and very different personalities — helped them stand out during the audition process.

“Seeing us all together, I think it just resonated with people,” said Ericka Grant, who lives in Buford.

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The Norman sisters compete on Family Fued.

Paramount

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Their big win: $60,000 and a luxury Las Vegas trip

And their on-screen charm paid off.

The Norman sisters walked away with $60,000 and a trip for all of them — plus a guest each — to the Bellagio in Las Vegas for a six-day, five-night getaway.

“Bam,” Liz said with a laugh. “Not just a vacation for us but a plus-one for each of us.”

Each sister has her own plan for how to spend her share of the prize money:

  • Liz Knipe (Atlanta): “Praise the Lord, I’m going to be able to pay all my bills.”
  • Ericka Grant (Buford): “I’m going to use it to have some fun with my boys and my husband.”
  • Michelle Norman (Atlanta): “A nice down payment.”
  • Alex Norman (Marietta): “I’m going to spend a little on myself. And my kids. And then some bills. But I’m paying myself first.”

Winning together meant more than the money

Despite the big payout, the sisters say the real reward was the time spent with each other.

“It’s a great bonding moment,” said Alex Norman. “We don’t always get a chance to do stuff together — all five of us.”

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They say family and friends were thrilled to see them on national TV, laughing and playing as a team.

“It was nice for our family to see us together on TV, winning and having fun,” said Ericka.

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The Norman sisters do their makeup in preparation for their episode of Family Feud. 

Paramount


Could the Norman sisters return to CBS on another show?

The sisters aren’t ruling out more TV in their future. In fact, they already have their eyes on other CBS competition shows.

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“I’m trying to get my sister on The Amazing Race with me,” said Michelle. “But the goal is Survivor! That’s the goal.”

Where to watch their episode

The Norman sisters’ Family Feud episodes are now streaming.

You can catch them on Paramount+.



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Christmas tree sales fund student scholarships across metro Atlanta

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Christmas tree sales fund student scholarships across metro Atlanta


A holiday tradition that began as a small side project for two Atlanta teenagers a decade ago has grown into a major scholarship program helping local students pursue college dreams — all through the sale and delivery of Christmas trees.

What we know:

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The effort, called Trees for Tuition, started in 2015 when founders Jack and Will decided to use a pickup truck to deliver a few Fraser firs to neighbors. That first year, they sold about 30 trees. Last season, the business expanded dramatically, with nearly 4,000 trees delivered across metro Atlanta and more than $50,000 donated to support scholarships and local nonprofits.

Trees for Tuition now operates seven locations across the metro area. Customers can visit in person to select a tree or schedule a delivery online as early as the next day. The group sources most of its Fraser firs from North Carolina, with additional Noble firs shipped in from Oregon.

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The founders say their goal is simple: make buying a Christmas tree easier for families while giving Atlanta teens and young adults a financial boost toward their education. 

What you can do:

Tree lots are open from noon to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends, including Friday. More information is available at treesfortuition.com.

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Update on travel conditions at Hartsfield-Jackson airport

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Update on travel conditions at Hartsfield-Jackson airport


It’s a busy day of travel at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. And although there are a few delays, there have not been any cancelations as of noon. We also now have more info about what happened to the flight to Amsterdam that was canceled on Tuesday night.



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