Danica Patrick Crash and Burn
Race car hottie Danica Patrick made her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut today, but she didn't make it to the checkered flag -- a wreck on lap 68 knocked her out of the race.
Patrick's green #7 got caught in a pileup coming out of turn four at Daytona International Speedway, and she couldn't avoid the wreckage in front of her.
At least she got her first Daytona wreck out of the way.
And at least she's still hot.
John Daly Pees Off at Pebble Beach???
John Daly may have created his own water hazard at the previously prestigious Pebble Beach golf course Thursday -- when it appeared that he pulled out a club of his own and took a leak in the rough.
After Daly took care of business in the bushes, he was later seen giving a little fist bump to his tournament partner Tony Romo.
Ain't that a pisser.
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Shaq Snowed Out of His Own Party
Shaquille O'Neal was supposed to host a party last night in Dallas for NBA All-Star Weekend -- that is, until the biggest blizzard in the city's history got in the way.
TMZ spoke to a manager of Aura Nightclub in uptown Dallas who told us that before Shaq arrived at the club, the record-setting snowfall blew out some electrical transformers ... leaving everyone standing in the dark.
We're told O'Neal's people were already at the club when the lights went out and decided that between the heavy snowfall ... and the complete and utter darkness ... it'd be best if Shaq didn't roll in.
But the good news: The Cleveland Cavaliers' big man is set to host a party at Aura tonight as well ... pending the presence of electrical power.
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Reggie Bush -- Put a Ring On It!
Reggie Bush says he won't get his Super Bowl ring 'til next year -- but our photog was more interested in why Kim Kardashian isn't wearing some finger bling yet either.
The New Orleans Saint wasn't game for the engagement questions -- but he was incredibly gracious with every single fan who approached him for a photo or autograph ... and trust us, there were a lot of 'em.
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Michael Jackson Link to Slam Dunk Contest
Michael Jackson may be the difference in this year's NBA Slam Dunk Contest -- TMZ has learned that one of the participants is planning to incorporate a tribute to MJ during one of his dunks.
TMZ spoke with Toronto Raptors star DeMar DeRozan who told us he will definitely be using elements from "Thriller" when he throws down in Dallas on Saturday night.
Don't worry -- Dr. Murray will be in Vegas this weekend.
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Drew Brees Reveals Secret Saints Battle Cry
Drew Brees finally blew the lid off the secret he closely guarded during the New Orleans Saints' championship season -- dude revealed the words to the mysterious pre-game chant.
It all went down late last night at a Big Easy bar called Lucy's -- Drew took the mic and explained that because the team had won the Super Bowl, he could finally let everyone in on their private ritual.
Check out the video -- if it doesn't fire you up ... you must be a Colts fan.
The Rock: WWE Still Owns a Piece of Me
Vince McMahon can still smell what The Rock is cooking -- because he's part owner of the former wrestler's famous catchphrase.
Wrestler-turned-kids' movie star Dwayne Johnson was in Calabasas yesterday, where he explained that he is only "co-owner" of his signature lines like "Can you smell what The Rock is cookin'?" and "Layeth the smacketh downeth." According to Dwayne, the WWE holds a claim as well.
Johnson had previously explained how the WWE owns a piece of the name, "The Rock" as well ... but dude practically never uses that moniker anymore.
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Kobe Bryant's All-Star Bash Breast Decision?
The following story is all about Kobe Bryant and boobies -- allegedly.
Kobe is the poster boy on a flier touting him as the host of a party at NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas. The catch: The party is being thrown by Show Magazine -- a men's publication featuring scantily clad and topless women.
So why would Kobe -- who dodged a career-ending bullet in 2003 -- make a move that could potentially sully his resurrected image?
Kobe's camp isn't talking -- but reps from the magazine and the club where the party is set to go down each insist Kobe negotiated a fee and put his Hancock on a contract.
The owner of Show Magazine also claims he had to have the flier approved by the NBA before he could start distributing it around town.
As for the sexy models -- we're told some of the girls from the magazine will be appearing at the party in "sexy outfits."
So we gotta ask ...
See also
Erin Andrews Peeper Eyed More Female Stars
Erin Andrews wasn't the only woman targeted by her Peeping Tom -- the scumbag taped 16 other women and scoped out several more including celebrities, this according to new court documents.
It's all in papers filed yesterday in federal court in Los Angeles, by prosecutors hoping to convince a judge to lock up Michael David Barrett for 27 months as punishment for surreptitiously taping the ESPN correspondent in her hotel room and posting it on the Internet.
In the docs, first obtained by TheSmokingGun.com, prosecutors claim Barrett "victimized approximately 16 other women in almost precisely the same way he victimized" Andrews -- and posted at least 32 "hotel peephole videos" to the web.
The docs also state that Barrett ran Internet background searches on 30 women, including "other female sports reporters, as well as other television personalities."
In the docs, prosecutors claim Andrews wants $335,558.27 in restitution from Barrett -- citing that she now suffers from "substantial emotional distress."
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NFL Star - No Domestic Violence Charges
Steven Jackson, the starting running back for the St. Louis Rams, is officially off the hook after his baby mama accused him of beating her while she was 9 months pregnant with his child.
Las Vegas police tell us there's simply not enough evidence to move forward with the case.
Cops say they spoke with Supriya Harris, Jackson and witnesses before closing the case.
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TMZ's Gnarly Football Photo Contest -- WINNER!
The tribe has spoken -- and the Steelers family photo brought out the softer side of football in the Gnarly Football Photo Contest!
This week's contest is Perfect Proposal Pictures -- so be sure and email in those sappy snapshots for your chance at this week's $250 prize and some mystery gifts from TMZ!
**CLICK HERE for contest rules and regulations!**
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Boob Crackdown Ordered for Saints Parade
New Orleans Saints fans are getting one stern warning about today's big Super Bowl victory parade: Keep your jumblies covered up ... or else.
With Mardi Gras just a few days away cops want to remind the breast-happy parade-goers in The Big Easy that this football party is rated G ... and will be broadcast live throughout the world.
TMZ spoke to cops in the French Quarter, who tell us 600 po-po's will be on patrol at the big party ... and anyone seen exchanging nudity for beads can expect a big, fat summons ... or even a trip to the slammer.
The parade is scheduled to go down at 5pm today -- and cops are expecting at least 250,000 wild Saints fans to attend. Buckle up.
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Spurs Organization Joins Battle over Nude Pics
The San Antonio Spurs are SOL in their attempt to have nude pics of one of their players removed from a website -- for now -- because the site's lawyer just said the pics of their player's basketballs are there to stay.
The Spurs' lawyer fired off a letter to TheDirty.com last week, demanding the website "immediately and permanently" remove the photos showing guard George Hill's privates ... pics the genius snapped of himself using his cell phone. The Spurs want the pics down because they shine a negative light on the team's image.
But a lawyer for TheDirty sent a letter right back, saying the site has every right to post photos of "celebrities making fools of themselves" -- and taking them down won't change the fact that Hill is a moron.
TheDirty's lawyer also says the Spurs' attempt to have the pics removed will only cause a "Streisand Effect" -- meaning the matter will become even more publicized due to their attempt to quash it ... like it just did.
We called Hill's people for comment -- no response yet.
Drew Brees' Home A Shrine to a Saint
Ya think they like Drew Brees in New Orleans?
Saints fans have been rolling over to Drew's place in droves -- leaving signs, trinkets and flowers for the Super Bowl MVP.
No word on what they're leaving on the front doorstep at Peyton Manning's house ...
Venus vs. Serena Who'd You Rather?
Biological sisters and tennis phenoms Venus Williams, 29 (left), and Serena Williams, 28 (right), put their game faces on at the same event in Miami this weekend.
Question is ...
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The Kendra Wilkinson Upset
After her husband Hank Baskett dropped the ball on a game-changing onside kick -- arguably blowing the Colts' shot at the Super Bowl -- new mom Kendra Wilkinson left the Super Bowl looking visibly upset.
We can't all be Kim Kardashian.