CONTENTS

10 MR. NASCAR
Jimmie Johnson remains a central focus of our NASCAR™ coverage—and of media outlets of every kind. His success is astonishing, and with no apparent end in sight. His story is still largely unknown. Go with us to the Top of the World to look in on a future legend walking, driving among us.

12 NASCAR INVASION | Still reeling from the West Coast invasion of Johnson, the royal families and southern icons of stock car find themself sharing their shrinking spotlight with even more unexpected competition of the foreign and female persuasion.

16 NASCAR 2010 DRIVER PROFILES | by Southern Sports Journal .

28 BOBBY COX | An era is ending in Atlanta. Braves fans must savor 2010 season.

32 MLB 2010 SOUTHERN TEAM PREVIEWS | with Full Season Schedules.

42 COLLEGE BASEBALL CONFERENCE PREVIEWS | Surveying the South.

48 PAYTON, BREES AS SAVIORS | A SuperBowl renaissance in 2010.

44 NFL 2009 REVIEWS | Southern team wrap-up plus outlook for 2009.

51 NFL DRAFT 2010 | Results leading to a Play-or-Not 2010 season.

52 NFL review | Prideful, painful or a mixed-bag—we sum up last season.

56 BOBBY BOWS OUT | Another legend leaves the field—Bowden says goodbye.

60 SOUTHERN COLLEGE FOOTBALL REVIEW | The highs and lows of it.

68 Stephen Jackson Interview | Charlotte’s gamble seems a bet well-played with Playoff potential. Hear his side of the story as told to SSJ.

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SPECIAL: World Cup 2010

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SOUTH AFRICA | Page 70

If you’ve ever considered that you might just give soccer a shot—despite our built-in American aversions—this might be the time. To start, you’ve got the best guide we’ve seen this side of The Pond—and America’s team appears poised to upset, if not dethrone in 2010.

SPECIAL: GOLFING THE BLUE RIDGE 74

PLUS: NASCAR, PGA, MLB SCHEDULES