Five-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson denied any wrongdoing the Chase field-deciding race at Richmond International Raceway over the weekend that has been marred by controversy. Leonel Vangioni Jersey . Johnson defended himself one day after fellow driver Clint Bowyer said his spinout at Richmond was no different than when a Johnson mishap brought out a caution earlier in the race. "Clint brought it up from what Ive been able to see and read," Johnson said Wednesday at Charlotte Motor Speedway. "I think he was just having a bad day. And as things kept piling on, he just tried to suck someone else into the mix with him." Bowyers spin ended Ryan Newmans bid to win the race and make the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship field and instead helped Michael Waltrip Racing teammate Martin Truex Jr. land a berth. NASCAR, however, determined that MWR had manipulated the race and replaced Truex with Newman in addition to punishing MWR. The implication by Bowyer was that Johnson spun intentionally with 55 laps remaining to assist the Chase chances of Jeff Gordon, Johnsons teammate at Hendrick Motorsports. Johnson blamed a flat tire for his caution and pointed out correctly that Gordon already was on pit road when it occurred. "If anyone has any questions, just go back and look at the race and youll see that our tire blowing was bad for the 24 (of driver Jeff Gordon), bad for the 5 (of driver Kasey Kahne, another Hendrick teammate) -- bad for a lot of guys who were coming to pit road," Johnson said. "The only silver lining for the 24 was that he was preserved on pit road, and was able to get the Lucky Dog (to get back on the lead lap). But even then, you have to start at the tail end (of the lead-lap cars). . There was no benefit." At Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, Kyle Busch was asked what he thought of the scandal. "I say you do whatever youve got to do to get your team in," Busch said of the Chase. "If youre in that position, and you have multi-team cars, thats what theyre there for. Some people say Im full of crap and youre not supposed to manipulate the end of the race. Just let it play out as it plays out. Let the best man win. "But, I was in the same position last year. There were ways it could have been manipulated and I could have gotten myself in the Chase. But I didnt do it. And I missed the Chase." Johnson said NASCAR needs to use more officials and more technology resources, such as television replays and even in-car audio, to make better calls during the races. "In the overall issue of officiating, I think we need to expect things and when we get to the Chase time of the year -- and really we should have it all year -- but NASCAR should have people staffed up instead of downsizing," Johnson said. "Not only from the aspect of what were talking about right here, but also on restarts and a lot of other procedures that take place. "It is tough for the (officials in the scoring) tower to take care of it all. They need other people, qualified people, other resources and technology to make these decisions." Johnson said if there was any question that the race needed to be stopped. "If there is any question they need to stop the race immediately," Johnson said. "Red flag. Pits are closed. Figure it out and make the best judgment that they can -- because trying to go back on a Monday or a Tuesday to fix the situation, that is just too much. Ive learned something about the ripple effect." Johnson also said he was bewildered with NASCARs non-call on the final restart, when television replays showed eventual race winner Carl Edwards, running second at the time, clearly beat leader Paul Menard to the start-finish line in a move that Johnson said was almost identical to one he was penalized for earlier in the season, costing him a chance of a win at Dover. "Weve been working hard to eliminate grey areas and we need to continue down that road," Johnson added. "Im shocked there wasnt a call on it, plain and simple." Blank Jersey . And by all indications, the team is expected to select phenom Connor McDavid with their selection. The Buffalo Sabres, who were knocked down to the second overall pick after finishing with the worst regular season record, are expected to take the other generational player in Jack Eichel. Carlos Bacca Jersey . Louis against the Blues. The Canucks picked up their second straight victory in the swings opener on Tuesday in Calgary before getting routed in Minnesota last night, 5-1. http://www.authenticshopacmilan.com/c-20-manuel-locatelli-ac-milan-fc-jersey.aspx . "Im going to send Webbie a six-pack (of beer) tonight," she said. Webb wasnt sure that would help. "Ill probably drink one and go to sleep," the Australian veteran said. The two players set up a Sunday showdown between former HSBC champions after finishing off their third rounds with identical birdies over three of the last five holes Saturday to separate themselves slightly from the rest of the crowded leaderboard.Following what the players and coach described as an "embarrassing" loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis remains willing, patient and fully committed to Randy Carlyle. "The pressure right now should be placed on the players, Nonis told The Dreger Report on Wednesday. "I know Randy and the coaching staff is working hard. Im not now, nor have I ever contemplated making a coaching change. The players have to respond." Nonis refuted the notion that the players are no longer listening to Carlyle, or have tuned out the veteran coach and says at the end of their season exiting meetings after the Leafs Game 7 meltdown to the Boston Bruins last spring, that every Toronto player - to a man - credited Carlyle and his staff as the main reason the Leafs qualified for the postseason last year. The Hits Keep Coming Now Trevor Smith broke his hand in the 3-1 loss to the Panthers and could be out for the next eight weeks, further taxing Torontos depleted centre ice position as Tyler Bozak and Dave Bolland are still weeks away with long-term injuries as well. Centre Jerred Smithson was recalled from the Toronto Marlies to help fill the void, but Nonis can see the toll - particularly up the middle - that his teams steady stream of injuries is taking on the club. Nonis has been trolling the league looking for trades and admits he has had offers on James van Riemsdyk, Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner, Morgan Rielly and both his goalies. However, the general managers with the most interest have yet to produce anything beyond older playeers in return or trade packages that are not useful to the Maple Leafs in the long term. Matias Fernandez Jersey. More On Gardiner Following back-to-back bad games resulting in a benching against the Panthers, Jake Gardiners availability has once again become topical. Nonis insists hes not shopping Gardiner, but rival management sources say Gardiners name has been brought up by Toronto in trade discussions in Noniss search for a top-six forward. At the moment, there doesnt appear to be a trade fit that makes sense, so amid the growing frustration in Leaf Nation, Noniss plan is to sit tight, pray for good health in the New Year and do whatever is necessary to help this team keep its head above water. Broadway Banter Meanwhile, New York Rangers general manager Glen Sather continues to shop defenceman Michael Del Zotto. Toronto is among the teams with some interest, but the expected return of a young defenceman may be too steep for the Leafs. Its believed the Rangers would prefer a right-handed shot on the blue line, so Cody Franson is a likely target for New York as well. Sources say the Ottawa Senators are also still in the mix, although the sudden and impressive emergence of rookie Cody Ceci may have cooled the Sens interest. And providing Ceci can maintain his play, the Senators may be willing to move either Eric Gryba, Joe Corvo or Patrick Wiercioch to one of the many teams in the market for a defenceman. With the holiday roster freeze looming, its unlikely well see any big-time action prior to the break. But the appetite for change is growing among some of the NHLs big market clubs. 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