Jeff Gordon celebrates his SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. The victory was the 83rd of his career, tying him with Cale Yarborough for fifth on the all-time wins list. (Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR) What would have made Jeff Gordon’s win at Phoenix better? Ella and Leo, of course! Sucked they weren’t in Victory Lane with their papa but the win itself was great. I always love seeing a driver get emotional after a win. I’m always looking for something real, and by that I mean just something genuine to remind me that these guys really love what it is that they do and that it means more to them than just fame and money.

To me it’s easier to see the lows and the highs in this sport, than it is in others. A basketball team might lose one night and then win on another, or maybe go 5 games without a win but eventually a win comes up in that same season. But in NASCAR these guys can go YEARS without a win. It just makes it so much sweeter when it happens.

I cannot wait to get to Las Vegas this week. I’m driving down there on Wednesday, it’s my first race of the season and it feels like I’m going to summer camp or something. On Thursday I’ll be at Tony Stewart’s autograph session at Office Depot (1435 West Craig Road, North Las Vegas) at 12:30pm. If you want to get something signed ya gotta get a wristband first (one per person), which they’re distributing to the first 600 people starting at 8am the day of the event. Then you have to get on line for the autograph sesh no later than 1:30pm. This is all local/Las Vegas time.

Before Tony signs stuff for fans I’m presenting him with the 2011 Hottest Driver Tourney “trophy” and I sincerely hope he likes it. I already have anxiety about that whole thing. 🙂 I’m sure it’ll be fine, though.


Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne is congratulated by NASCAR driver Danica Patrick on Thursday in Phoenix, Ariz. Bayne and Patrick made a special appearance at Phoenix International Raceway's annual "Night of Champions" charity event. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Phoenix International Raceway)

Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne is congratulated by NASCAR driver Danica Patrick on Thursday in Phoenix, Ariz. Bayne and Patrick made a special appearance at Phoenix International Raceway's annual "Night of Champions" charity event. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images for Phoenix International Raceway)

Five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson looks on as his team adjusts his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet during practice for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. (Credit: Christian Peterson/Getty Images)

Five-time defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jimmie Johnson looks on as his team adjusts his No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet during practice for the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway. (Credit: Christian Peterson/Getty Images)

(L-R) Chicago White Sox players Adam Dunn, A.J. Pierzynski, Mark Buehrle, John Danks and Gordon Beckham pose with Ryan Truex before the Bashas' Supermarkets 200 at Phoenix International Raceway. (Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Grand Marshal Apolo Anton Ohno watches the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 from the No. 99 pit box of Carl Edwards. (Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Grand Marshal Apolo Anton Ohno watches the SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 from the No. 99 pit box of Carl Edwards. (Credit: Christian Petersen/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Actress Emmy Rossum, who sang the national anthem, poses with Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne before getting a ride around Phoenix International Raceway. (Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Actress Emmy Rossum, who sang the national anthem, poses with Daytona 500 champion Trevor Bayne before getting a ride around Phoenix International Raceway. (Credit: Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

A Brian Vickers spin on the backstretch triggered a 14-car accident which included Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The race was red flagged for 14 minutes and 4 seconds. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

A Brian Vickers spin on the backstretch triggered a 14-car accident which included Jamie McMurray, Jeff Burton, Clint Bowyer and Dale Earnhardt Jr. The race was red flagged for 14 minutes and 4 seconds. (Credit: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

Jeff Gordon douses new crew chief Alan Gustafson with champagne after ending his 66-race winless streak with his SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 victory. (Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Jeff Gordon douses new crew chief Alan Gustafson with champagne after ending his 66-race winless streak with his SUBWAY Fresh Fit 500 victory. (Credit: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images for NASCAR)