In other news…

– Jamie McMurray will be driving a supercool, never-been-done-before paint scheme this weekend at Pocono. Jamie’s No. 1 AXE Twist Chevy will feature paint that changes color based on the temperature outside. The changing colors of the AXE logo simulates how AXE’s new fragrance for men changes over time. That sounds really interesting, I wanna know how AXE’s fragrance smells and how it changes. Someone send me a dude (preferably hot, tall and single) that I can test this with. kthx.

– Phoenix International Raceway has partnered with Queers4Gears.com to offer a special ticket offer to the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender) community. Ticket prices start at $25 for PIR’s November 14th NASCAR Kobalt Tools 500.

International Raceway (PIR) has partnered with Queer4Gears.com to offer special discounted tickets to their Lesbian and Gay race fans to attend the NASCAR Kobalt Tools 500 on Sunday, November 14, 2010. With this special discount, admission for the race starts at $25.00.

The track has been working on this promotion with Queer4Gears.com, a website devoted to gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and trans-gendered, also collectively known as LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender) NASCAR fans.

PIR recognizes that they have a very diverse fan base and they want to reach out to all of them. While covering the Subway Fresh Fit 500 in April, Queer4Gears.com founder, Michael Myers began conversations with Phoenix International Raceway officials.

To his knowledge, Myers said that this will be the first time that any NASCAR sanctioned facility has reached out to fans in the L.G.B.T. community.

“Just a small push like including the L.G.B.T. community on the official web site of Phoenix International Raceway is a step in the right direction for uniting the different stereotypes that surround the racetracks on a weekly basis” said Queer4Gears.com founder Michael Myers.  “I applaud Phoenix International Raceway for what they are trying to do and it definitely will speak volumes towards the gay race fans. It is a big first step.”

Go to www.phoenixraceway.com/LGBT for more information.

Helio Castroneves was caught blocking (in this scenario it’s a no-no) his teammate Will Power which to me looked like the slightest of blocking, but whatever the officials know better than me. Plus Will did say in his post-race interview that Helio blocked him and well you’re not supposed to do that.

So Helio, who finished first, didn’t win the race and proceeded to go apeshit when he got out of his car. That had to have been one of the awesomest racing-related tantrums I’ve ever heard/seen on live television. The video is below and it gets good at about the 3:55 mark.

My only gripe was that Versus didn’t cut to Helio sooner. They should of had a straight shot on him the entire time, why bother talking to Scott Dixon, who would have been second but ended up winning the race because of the penalty levied against Helio. I’m sure Scott was grateful (who wouldn’t be?), but who cares what he had to say. Helio was where the action was at.

I can’t blame Helio for his reaction. I’d be highly irritated too, he won that race but one little block and he ended up 10th. That blows.

So, I thought it was great that the Indy Racing League put Milka Duno on probation. That was looooooong overdue. I don’t get that woman, I really don’t. Maybe I’m just dense, but can someone explain to me why she can’t go the same speed as everyone else? Aren’t they all driving the same car? What’s going on there? If Milka would like to tell me about her deal I’d be more than happy to chat about it with her.

Oh and one other thing, one of the Versus pit reporters was talking to the strategist for rookie Simona De Silvestro. It was her very first IZOD IndyCar Series race, she’s been running in the Indy Lights Series this year. So the pit reporter starts talking to the the guy and he’s talking about Simona like she’s a horse, “She’s a girl, does she have a chance??” Okay, he didn’t say those EXACT words (not far off though) but that was basically the gist. Which, I don’t have to remind you, is RIDICULOUS. Why did he even need to point out her gender? Who effing cares? She qualified 7th, clearly she’s very capable of driving a race car.

E.J. Viso

Ryan Hunter Reay and his fiancee Beccy Gordon

Tony Kanaan

I like to call Tomas Scheckter “shecky.” And here’s a useless fact, Tomas and I are the same age but I’m 21 days older than him. Yay 1980!

Danica Patrick, uhm, ya got some notes in your face.

I couldn’t decide which photo of Marco Andretti I liked better so I’m using both! I think he should have a “pose-off” with Kasey Kahne. Jenkies!

This is Bertrand Baguette, he’s a rookie. Every time I hear his name I wanna go buy bread and some nice Brie cheese. Doesn’t that sound yummy?

Dario Franchitti signing autographs

Mario Moraes

But seriously, super huge congratulations to Jamie McMurray for winning the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway yesterday. Kudos to him and his team for winning a race that further cements a place for him in NASCARs history.

Now, can I talk about Victory Lane or Winner’s Circle at Indy? It’s really lame. It seems like a complete afterthought, like they finished making the hugh jass pagoda and then were all, “Ohh, where are we gonna do Victory Lane? Let’s wedge it over there since we made the stage for the anthem and the command to start engines needlessly large and round.”

It makes me feel squished and I’m not even there. It’s so awkward, why not just do everything on the track? Ok, just had to get that off of my chest it makes me mental every year for the Indy 500 and the Brickyard.

And speaking of Victory Lane how cute was Jamie when he kissed his wife’s stomach? Christy McMurray is pregnant with their first child who is due to arrive in December. So adorable. I’m going out on a limb and calling a set of twins for them. I have no proof, obviously, other than I think someone should have twins.

Jamie McMurray, winner of the Brickyard 400 kisses his wife Christy after kissing the bricks at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on July 25, 2010. (UPI /Edwin Joseph Locke Photo via Newscom)

The pit crew for Jamie McMurray’s No. 1 Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet runs down pit road to celebrate their win at the Brickyard 400 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, IN.

Jamie McMurray, driver of the Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet, and his team kiss the bricks after McMurray won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images for NASCAR)

The beard is back and he brought along a friend this time. I dunno if I like this trend.

Team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the Amp Energy Chevrolet with team owner Rick Hendrick before the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, on July 25, 2010, in Indianapolis on July 25, 2010. (UPI/Thomas E. Hayden Photo via Newscom)

(R-L) Dallas Clark of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts poses with brother Dan Clark in the flag stand before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

Cuute!

Travis Kvapil, driver of the Long John Silver’s Ford, stands by his car during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Ryan Newman, driver of the Haas Automation Chevrolet, stands with his wife Krissie Newman on the grid before the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 25, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

So, if ESPN has Carl joining them after every race in the studio, do they really need Rusty to stick around?

Carl Edwards, driver of the Aflac Ford, reaches in his car during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images)

(R) David Stremme, driver of the Air Guard/gtwgps.com Chevrolet, looks on from pit road during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images)

Fans hold up signs outside the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 24, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

County music star Luke Bryan walks around in the garage area during the final practice session for the Brickyard 400 race at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis, IN.

(L-R) Jimmie Johnson, driver of the Lowe’s Chevrolet, poses with singer Jack Johnson in the garage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on July 23, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images)

This way you don’t have to wait for me to post ‘em. They still have to be approved before they’re shown on the site but they won’t go through my filter so it’s still a lot better than languishing in my email box.

Of course, if something piques my interest I’ll still highlight it here in the main area of The Fast and the Fabulous.

You can post a photo, text or a video.

In addition to posting your own news you can ask me questions. Questions about anything, how I became a blogger or what I think of so-and-so, etc.

It’s all thanks to the cool platform that is tumblr. I’ve always wanted to have an area on my site where people can post stuff on their own and now it’s here! So check it out and get postin’!

In other news…

– Yesterday the No. 29 Shell-Pennzoil pit crew participated in a grocery bagging competition at a Kroger store in Indianapolis. The minute I heard about this challenge, the pit crew guys went up against local fans, I knew I needed the photos from the event. They didn’t fail to be funny (see below).

Kroger and Shell have teamed up for a special promotion, too:

Shell and Kroger have teamed up to help customers earn fuel savings at the pump. The exclusive alliance provides Kroger shoppers in several U.S. cities the opportunity to earn savings on fuels, including Shell Nitrogen Enriched gasoline and Shell Diesel fuel, when using their Kroger family of brands loyalty card at participating Kroger stores. Customers in participating markets can earn points and redeem them for a minimum of 10 cents off a gallon of fuel for every 100 Fuel Points they redeem at Kroger Fuel Centers and participating Shell stations. This offer is valid up to 35 gallons per fuel purchase. Customers earn one Fuel Point for every dollar spent at participating Kroger stores when they use their loyalty card.

– Below is a super exclusive photo of Kasey Kahne on the set of the “Wedding Crashers” commercial for the new Gillette Fusion ProGlide razor (that you can also find below.) Be on the lookout for more exclusive behind-the-scenes photos of the Gillette Young Guns on other NASCAR blogs.

Isn’t he cuuuute?

In light of the latest Nationwide Series crew member that has been suspended for violating NASCAR’s substance abuse policy, all I can say is this:

STOP USING DRUGS! And if you haven’t used any drugs, good for you!

Thanks,
xoxo Valli

Maybe what I’ve thought about Carl is all wrong. Maybe he’s just an “Eddie Haskell” smiling and being the nice “Aw shucks” guy in front of the cameras, doing all the right things you need to do to get a ride, get a sponsor, and get fans. But then once it’s time for the competition he’s clearly out for himself, he’s out for the win and I think in the case of Brad Keselowski it doesn’t help that Carl has had many issues with him in the past. Oh and the fact that it was a race at his home track also didn’t help matters. He couldn’t let this win slip out of his hands if he had a shot at it.

But then again, aren’t you supposed to be out for yourself when you’re racing for the only spot that matters? I dunno, I’m having a conversation with myself in writing. Just trying to figure this guy out which is impossible to do from 3,000 miles away. I don’t think Carl was trying to hurt anyone, he was just trying to win. And I did appreciate he honesty in his post-race interview. That’s one thing you can say for sure about him, if he does something people might not agree with he’s upfront about it.

In other news…

– Juan Pablo Montoya and his wife Connie Freydell welcomed their third child into the world today. Juan Pablo announced via Twitter that his wife gave birth to a daughter they’ve named Manuela. Connie tweeted as well but her’s was in Spanish. She’s happy her family is complete. As a total side note from observing Juan Pablo’s tweets, what is up with all of the exclamation points all the time? Everything can’t be that amazing all the time can it??!!!

Kevin Harvick, driver of the Stubb’s Legendary Bar-B-Q Chevrolet (R), celebrates in victory lane with his wife, Delana, after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series CampingWorld.com 200 at Gateway International Raceway on July 17, 2010 in Madison, Illinois. (Photo by Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Jennifer Jo Cobb

Teams line up before the start of the Missouri-Illinois Dodge Dealers 250 at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL.

Carl Edwards safely makes it past Brad Keselowski to take the victory, followed by Reed Sorenson in second.

Anyway, I thought it’d be fun to brainstorm some other activities you could partake in in the regular, non-racing world while you wait for Sprint Cup Series action to return:

1.) Write a screenplay for a NASCAR drama starring your favorite actors and actresses. I started thinking about a film with Ben Affleck as the super hot and cocky veteran driver on a losing streak and Robert Pattinson as the super hot and young rookie who’s made the jump from Formula 1 to NASCAR and is on a hot winning streak. There would of course be their love interests, Ben’s wife played by me Angelina Jolie, is super supportive but has grown tired of his ego and is on a mission to show him what it means to be a winner on and off the track. Robert’s character will be single (of course!) but will nurse a crush on the hottest female driver in NASCAR, whose already won one Nationwide Series title and is looking to score big in the Cup series, played by Blake Lively.

Clearly I’ve got the synopsis ready all someone needs to do is pay to me to finish it and we can start filming! Yee!! Actually, now that I just wrote that out I really want to see this film happen. I’d be particularly interested in the casting process. Maybe we could get George Clooney to play a team owner?? Hmm.

2.) Read a book. I’ve been reading “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I’m trying to get it done before the movie comes out and I’ve been dodging all those commercials showing the trailer. I love Julia Roberts, but she needs to go away until I finish the book. I’m loving it so far. I honestly believe that books come in to your life when you need them to and I couldn’t be more ready to take this book in, it’s crazy how many parallels I can draw to my own life. No, I didn’t get a messy divorce or have the money to travel to Italy, India and Indonesia but the core is there for sure.

3.) Become a paparazzo. So, Andrew Giangola, the author of the book “The Weekend Starts on Wednesday,” works for NASCAR in their New York offices. Today he happened to see Lady GaGa on the street and took photos of her in a classic Lady GaGa outfit.

(All Lady GaGa photos courtesy of Andrew Giangola)

The details straight from Andrew:

The NASCAR NY office is on Park and 55th. A few blocks north on Park, I’m running an errand and next to me materializes Lady G. It was her people and me, snapping shots, then within a minute, swarms of NYers swooped in with their camera phones.

I was able to snap these off before she was whisked away…and before I was able to ask the Lady if she’s ga ga for NASCAR and would like to be featured on THE WEEKEND STARTS ON WEDNESDAY facebook page.

I’m sure Lady GaGa is a NASCAR fan ‘cause she’s so accepting of, like, everything! Can you imagine what she would wear if she was a Grand Marshal at a race?? Holy crapy that’d be awesome. See you could spend the entire weekend just dreaming up crazy racing-themed outfits for her to wear. And since those are Diet Coke cans in her hair maybe it should be the Diet Coke 500?

Come to NASCAR GaGa!!

And I’ll be honest about the fact that I also enjoy getting to look at photos of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who was a producer on the film. I think I’m going to add meeting him to my list of things to do before I die. I’m serious. Have you seen his arms? Holy… Okay, I’m stopping. If you’re an AJ Allmendinger fan you’ll enjoy these pics too, he’s wearing a suit! And there’s bonus Kasey Kahne.

Go see “Racing Dreams”! And if the film isn’t showing in your area why not tell your local theater they should carry it.

(L-R) Producer Dwayne Johnson, racer Annabeth Barnes, racer Brandon Warren, racer Joshua Hobson and producer Dany Garcia attend the premiere of ‘Racing Dreams’ during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theater on April 25, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

Producer Dwayne Johnson attends the premiere of ‘Racing Dreams’ during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theater on April 25, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

(L-R) Racers Brandon Warren, Annabeth Barnes and Joshua Hobson attend the premiere of ‘Racing Dreams’ during the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival at SVA Theater on April 25, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)

(L-R) Cast member of Racing Dreams Annabeth Barnes, NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne, cast member Josh Hobson, Brandon Warren and NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger arrive for the Charlotte Premiere of Racing Dreams at EpiCenter Theater on May 18, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images for Hannover House)

(L-R) Director Marshall Curry and cast members of Racing Dreams Josh Hobson, Annabeth Barnes, Brandon Warren and Miss Sprint Cup Monica Palumbo arrive for the Charlotte Premiere of Racing Dreams at EpiCenter Theater on May 18, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images for Hannover House)

NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger (R) talks with cast member of ‘Racing Dreams’ Brandon Warren during the ‘Racing Dreams’ after party at The NASCAR Hall of Fame on May 18, 2010 in Charlotte, NC. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images for Hannover House)

NASCAR driver AJ Allmendinger arrives for the Charlotte Premiere of Racing Dreams at EpiCenter Theater on May 18, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Chris Keane/Getty Images for Hannover House)

With that being said, if NASCAR does need something right now it would be what happened last night. David Reutimann won the LifeLock.com 400 at Chicagoland Speedway and while the race as a whole was kinda boring, it was pure awesomeness to see David win a race without the help of weather issues for the first time. He and his No. 00 Aaron’s Dream Machine team won the race fair and square. I loved seeing the emotion in his face and that of his crew chief Rodney Childers. Rodney apologized for all of his emotion while talking to the TNT crew, but he shouldn’t have. He earned that win and he should let those feelings roll, he earned it.

And don’t forget to re-read my Inside the Actor’s Studio interview with David. hehe.

In other news…

– At race time yesterday Jimmie and Chandra Johnson had yet to announce the name of their new baby girl, but today they finally shared her name, Genevieve Marie Johnson, along with a picture of the cutie pahtootie newborn. Raise your hand if you have the same middle name as Genevieve. I do! I do!

– 20-year-old Austin Dillon, grandson of team owner Richard Childress, won his first career NASCAR race today in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 at Iowa Speedway. Congratulations Austin! Who doesn’t love a first-time winner?

They’re hugging like this because they’re friends in real life.

Actor Angie Harmon greets Jimmie Johnson, driver of the Lowe’s Chevrolet during driver introductions for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LIFELOCK.COM 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway on July 10, 2010 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR)

“Big Mac”, love that.

Jamie McMurray waits for the race action to begin for the LifeLock.com 400 race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL.

Austin Dillon, driver of the Bass Pro Shops Chevrolet poses with his little brother Ty Dillon, driver of the Karl Chevrolet Arca car after both of them won the pole awards at Iowa Speedway on July 10, 2010 in Newton, Iowa. Austin won the pole award after qualifying first for the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Lucas Oil 200 and Ty won the pole award for the ARCA Prairie 200. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)

Carl Edwards and his mother, Nancy Sterlin, during pre-race ceremonies for the Dollar General 300 race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL.

David Ragan (6) during practice for the LifeLock.com 400 race at the Chicagoland Speedway in Joliet, IL.

Kevin Harvick, driver of the Jimmy John’s Chevrolet and his wife DeLana stand for the National Anthem during the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 Powered by Coca-Cola at the Chicagoland Speedway on July 9, 2010 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Reed Sorenson, driver of the Red Bull Toyota looks on from the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LIFELOCK.COM 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway on July 9, 2010 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Clint Bowyer, driver of the Cheerios Chevrolet looks on from the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LIFELOCK.COM 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway on July 9, 2010 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Duncan Keith of the NHL’s Chicago Blackhawks gives the command for the drivers to start their engines during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LIFELOCK.COM 400 at the Chicagoland Speedway on July 10, 2010 in Joliet, Illinois. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

“No,” said Elliott. “My feeling about racing has not changed at all other than I’m more determined now than ever because I don’t want my son to think I’m a failure. That’s the biggest thing. I take more things to heart. When we run bad I take it a lot worse now than when I did before he was born just because I don’t want him to think that his dad couldn’t do this or shouldn’t do this.”

When he said that I had, like, 50 internal responses going on at the same time. First, I wanted to tell him that his son is going to love him no matter what place he finishes in a race. Then at the same time I was, like, “For the love of god please let him win a race!!” It broke my heart a little bit, if I’m being honest. I wasn’t expecting him to be that candid. I know Elliott can win and maybe getting back with his former crew chief Todd Parrott will help that happen sooner than later.

—

What is your favorite word? Awesome

What is your least favorite word? Trouble

What turns you on? Being at home, being around my family. I love being from a small town and just being back at home with all my friends and family. It just seems like we never have a bad time, everything’s always going in the right direction.

What turns you off? Any bad Sundays or any frustrating Sunday is a big, big turn off for me.

What sound or noise do you love? The ocean. I go to sleep to it every night with my sound machine. I love it.

What sound or noise do you hate? Alarm clock. It’s always too early.

What is your favorite curse word? The F-bomb.*

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would have loved to be have been a professional basketball player. I just love that sport. I love following it. It’s a game I’ve always been intrigued by.

What profession would you not like to do? Hockey. I wouldn’t want to do hockey ‘cause I can’t ice skate. I tried ice skating when I was, like, 17 or 18 years old and my butt hurt for a month.

If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates? Thank god you made it!

*It should be noted that Elliott polled a bunch of people in the hauler on what cuss word he used the most before settling on his favorite. That was funny.

Elliott Sadler and me after I interviewed him at Infineon Raceway this year.

Follow Elliott Sadler on Twitter @Elliott_Sadler