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)

Chandra and Jimmie Johnson welcomed a baby girl Wednesday, July 7 at 1:44 p.m. ET in Charlotte, NC. She weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz. and measured 19.5″ long. Dad offered that she is absolutely beautiful and affectionately referred to her as “Baby J” as the proud parents have yet to decide on a name. While commenting that sleep was at a minimum last night, he is extremely happy about getting to spend time with his girls before leaving for the race weekend in Chicago.

So if I had to pick a theme song for Joey it would be Britney Spears’ classic “Oops, I Did it Again,” because he’s “not that innocent.” Don’t let the big, cheesy “aw shucks” grin fool ya. The kid knows how to be pissed off.

Anyway, my bone of contention lies with his stupid remarks towards Kevin and DeLana Harvick. I’ve always respected Delana for her work with Kevin Harvick Inc. and it’s always been great to see her on pit road wearing a firesuit. I know Joey’s comments were said in anger and they’re obviously immature and stupid. There was absolutely no need to go there. And really, really, if someone wanted to stoop to his level they could make jokes all day about Joey’s dad and his need to be in the middle of everything involving his son. I’m just sayin’.

Anyway, Delana is my hero because she took the high road and made some fun out of the comment in the form of a t-shirt that will benefit charities.

The “I Wear the Firesuit in this Family” shirts are being sold for $15 in the KHI store with all proceeds going to the Kevin Harvick Foundation. The shirts will be officially licensed by NASCAR (with the NASCAR bar logo on ‘em), so you’ll be able to get them at NASCAR.com too.

Delana Harvick is one classy lady — in a firesuit!

Brad Keselowski, driver of the No. 22 Discount Tire Dodge celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Nationwide Series Federated Auto Parts 300 at Nashville Superspeedway on Saturday in Lebanon, Tenn. (Credit: John Sommers II/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Before qualifying third for Sunday’s Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500, Dale Earnhardt Jr. took time to sign autographs for fans at Pocono Raceway. (Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Brian Vickers goes over practice notes with teammate Casey Mears, who is driving the No. 83 Red Bull Toyota now that Vickers is out for the season with a medical issue. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Sorry Martin, Go Blackhawks!

Martin Truex Jr. sports a Philadephia Flyers cap as a nod to his local hockey team in the Stanley Cup finals before climbing into his No. 56 NAPA Toyota for Saturday’s first practice at Pocono Raceway. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Jimmie Johnson and wife Chandra – who are on baby watch as the due date of their daughter approaches – stand on pit road during the singing of the national anthem at Pocono Raceway. Johnson said on Friday that Aric Almirola would be available to drive the No. 48 car if Chandra goes into labor during an upcoming race weekend. (Credit: Chris Trotman/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Denny Hamlin celebrates his fourth win of the season — and fourth win at Pocono Raceway — in Victory Lane. (Credit: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Darlington is one of those racetracks where I feel like they could cut the Nationwide race down from 147 laps to 50 and the Sprint Cup race from 367 laps down to just 100 and we’d all be a lot happier. Well, I would be for one. It just seems unnecesary to have to drive around as long as they do.

Or maybe my frustrations are just Jeff Gordon’s rubbing off on me. I mean, what does this man have to do to catch a break and win a freaking race? He’s been so close this year. It’s kinda sad to watch, he’s like Sisyphus.

One the other hand, it was super adorable to see some of the drivers with their moms.

Jamie’s expression explains the ENTIRE weekend.

Jamie McMurray tries to explain how the car handled in the first practice to crew chief Bono Manion. After adjustments, McMurray led the final practice and earned the Coors Light Pole Award. (Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

The baby bump! Although, I still think Chandra can afford to gain like 50 more pounds

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, stands on the grid with his wife Chandra during the NASCAR Sprint Cup series SHOWTIME Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 8, 2010 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Did you see the second episode where Chad Knaus cooks dinner for himself? I think he was making pasta or something. Anyway, my eyes nearly bugged out of my head when I saw that he has a faucet over his STOVE! I need that kitchen. That was so cool.

I’m sad the series has come to an end. I wish they were with Jimmie, Chad and the rest of the 48 team for the rest of the season. It’d be fun. They could of videotaped Chandra giving birth! Missed opportunities, people.

In other news…

– I’ve decided that David Reutimann looks like Dax Shepard’s long lost brother. Dax is an actor that got his “big break” by playing pranks on people in the first season of Ashton Kutcher’s series Punk’d. Now he does movies. What do you think??

David Reutimann (left) and Dax Shepard (right)

– A Gillette 500 update! Team Denny Hamlin / Kasey Kahne are in second place. This is not good people, we need to be number one!!! So sign up and log your shaves. And if you’ve already signed up, continue to log your shaves! You gotta do it every day. By doing it EVERY DAY you increase your chances of winning a hometown visit by one of the guys! Shave your underarms, legs, whatever! Goooo Team Densey!!!

Also, since you’re here, check out Kasey and Denny in the “Book Club Crashers” commercial. It made me snort-laugh, which is saying something.

I am so incredibly happy for Jamie McMurray. That was such an amazing ending to a crazy, long race. He leads just two laps and takes his place in history as a Daytona 500 winner in his first race with Earnhardt Ganassi Racing! Talk about redemption. From odd man out to freaking Daytona 500 winner. I love it, those are the best stories. And as if all of that wasn’t good enough, he was emotional in Victory Lane. I’m all for real, true emotion and it didn’t get any better than Jamie’s tears and his hugging of the Harley J. Earl Daytona 500 Trophy.

And then Dale Earnhardt Jr. *sigh* I love that guy. He kicked butt and drove from tenth to finish second. I’m so proud! I know he was disappointed that he came so close but he has nothing to feel bad about, he proved that he’s a racer and that he wants to win just as much as the next guy. BTW, I loved his interview with Marty Smith on ESPN, they showed it during the Nationwide race on Saturday. He doesn’t have to explain or justify himself to anyone!

I think it was in his interview with Jeff Hammond on FOX that he talked about marriage and how maybe it wasn’t for him and he wondered if fans could handle him having children without being married. I would like to go on record as saying that Dale has my permission to procreate with whomever he wants in wedlock or not. Again, he should live his life on his terms and everybody else can suck it.

Photos after the jump!

AKA The Adorables!

The 2010 Raybestos Rookie of the Year contenders Colin Braun, James Buescher, Parker Kllgerman, Brian Scott and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. pose in the media center before Thursday’s NASCAR Nationwide Series practice at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Former University of Florida quarterback Tim Tebow waves to fans in the stands before giving drivers the command to start their engines Thursday to start the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gatorade Duel at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the No. 48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, and his wife Chandra stand next to his car during the national anthem before the first NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Gatorade Duel at Daytona International Speedway on Thursday. (Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR)

(Left to right) Tony Stewart stands in Daytona International Speedway's Victory Lane with car owners DeLana Harvick and Kevin Harvick. Kevin also finished third in the DRIVE4COPD 300 on Saturday. (Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Ladies, Nelson Piquet Jr. Hello!

Nelson Piquet Jr. prepares for his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut Saturday at Daytona International Speedway. Piquet finished sixth in his first series start. (Credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne signs autographs for fans during Daytona 500 final practice Saturday at Daytona International Speedway.(Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick, who was second-fastest behind fellow Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton in final practice, talks with MMA fighter Brock Lesnar in the garage during Daytona 500 final practice. (Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Tim McGraw performed a pre-race concert for the fans during his first trip to Daytona International Speedway.(Credit: Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Jamie McMurray crosses the finish line .119 seconds ahead of Dale Earnhardt Jr. to win the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.(Credit: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

The No. 1 Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team of Jamie McMurray celebrates their Daytona 500 win in Victory Lane at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

I love you. Will you marry me? Seriously, I was smitten with Sex and the City and then I was head over heels with Curb Your Enthusiasm, and now I feel like we should make it official.

I just watched the first episode of 24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona and it was so good I didn’t want it to end. 30 minutes was not enough. Luckily for me, and everyone else, there are 3 more episodes left.

First of all, it looked like I was watching it in HD when I wasn’t. It was beautiful. The director, camera dudes and editors all deserve raises. I was geeking out over just how great the whole thing looked.

Second, as usual your storytelling skills were on point. Thank you for the steady voiceover and the reenactment of Rick Hendrick eating cookies & milk off of a Mickey Mouse plate.

It was everything I expected and more. I learned that Jimmie has abs! I found out that Chandra is getting acupuncture treatments to deal with morning sickness! Chad Knaus’ kitchen is ridiculous and he grinds his own coffee beans! I love that stuff.

But on a serious note, I sincerely hope that a ton of non-NASCAR fans take the time to watch this great show. It’s the perfect opportunity for newbies to get a better understanding of — and an inside look at — what it takes to race in NASCAR. You guys have done it again in creating awesome premium television content. This is how Jimmie Johnson’s story should be told.

xoxo
-Valli

P.S. – I know the series isn’t about Dale Earnhardt Jr. but could you slip him in here and there? Thank you!!

Watching these videos makes me wish it was race day tomorrow! Gah! Oh and HBO spelled Ron Malec’s name wrong in that second video. It’s not Malick.

In other news…

– Here’s another blog to add to your blog reader. I mentioned a little while ago that Andrew Giangola’s new book “The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable NASCAR Fans” was making it’s way to a book store near you, well it has arrived and in addition to picking up the book check out Andrew’s blog of the same name, The Weekend Starts on Wednesday. Andrew is super funny and has a lot of great stories to share. Check it out.

– If you love NASCAR and have a serious affinity for pro wrestling, you should enter the following contest for a chance to win a VIP prize package for the 2010 NASCAR All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May.

Show Your Flair!

Are you a limousine ridin’, jet flyin’, kiss stealin’, wheelin’ and dealin’ son of a gun? If you think you’ve got what it takes, submit a video and show us your Flair!

Charlotte Motor Speedway is hosting The Backyard Brawl, NASCAR’s Sprint All-Star Race on May 22, and the Nature Boy himself, Ric Flair, has partnered with the speedway to promote this clash of the stock car titans.

To be the man, you gotta beat the man! We want to see if you have what it takes to beat 16-time World Heavyweight Wrestling Champion Ric Flair. WOOOOOO!

Show us your Flair! Upload your best Ric Flair impersonation to YouTube.com and submit a link to your video by February 24, for a chance to win a VIP prize package to the 2010 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

View online contest for more details!

Also, check out Flair’s preview of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

It’s funny how excited someone else’s pregnancy has made me, considering I don’t know them at all. But I’m super excited for them. This is exactly what we need, more babies on pit road! I’m not making a joke, I’m serious. After baby Edwards and baby Sadler arrive baby Johnson will be future NASCAR driver number 3 for 2010 (so far). Did someone spike the VitaminWater or what?

In other news…

– AJ Allmendinger went go-karting with Jamie McMurray down in Florida last week during the annual Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket events at Daytona International Speedway. This was the third straight year that Jamie participated in the event and AJ’s first time.

“This is not kick back and relax, this is very serious and it’s very high stress,” McMurray said with a grin. “We’re trying to run two classes this year, it’s just hectic today trying to get both karts on the track today and get everything ready but I’ve got some good helpers.”

“I’m bored in the offseason, if we could race every weekend, I’d be happy,” Allmendinger said. “By the time Christmas rolls around, all you want to do is get back to a race track and race something.”

(Left to right) NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers AJ Allmendinger and Jamie McMurray talk during Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket events at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: Don Bok/Motorsports Images and Archives)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray takes his No. 1 Bass Pro Shops go-kart, decked out like the car he’ll drive during Daytona Speedweeks, while participating in Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket events at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: Don Bok/Motorsports Images and Archives)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger takes a spin in his go-kart during Daytona KartWeek By Cometic Gasket events at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: Don Bok/Motorsports Images and Archives)

– The two-day Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust event begins this Friday, January 8th. Once again it will serve to raise money for Victory Junction and The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum by bringing together country music artists and NASCAR stars.

Details:

Some of the greatest names in country music will kick off the two-day event at the Grand Ole Opry when Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust hits the stage of the Ryman Auditorium on Friday, Jan. 8. The special night of music will feature Vince Gill, Hank Williams Jr,. Chris Young, Danny Gokey, Holly Williams, Jason Michael Carroll, Kyle Petty and his band and many more. There will also be appearances by NASCAR standouts Michael Waltrip, Jamie McMurray and Greg Biffle during the Friday night event. Shows are at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. See opry.com for the complete artist line-ups for each show.

On Saturday, Jan. 9 the event continues at Nashville Municipal Auditorium, where fans of racing and country music will have the opportunity to get up-close and personal with drivers, team owners, and top-name artists for autographs, story-telling, and question-and-answer sessions. The fan event kicks off at 9 a.m. with show car and sponsor displays, as well as a charitable auction with memorabilia from the racing and entertainment industries. This year, fans of NASCAR stars Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne and Kyle Busch are in luck, as limited (200) early autograph passes will be available. Fans who would like to wait for the chance to obtain these passes will have access to the Exhibition Hall at the Nashville Municipal Auditorium beginning on Friday, Jan. 8 at noon, with distribution taking place at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 9. These are the only early passes available. For more information, read the rules and regulations at http://soundandspeed.org/schedule.

I arrived on Wednesday in the afternoon which meant that I missed the charity roast of Jimmie Johnson that took place at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I got a cab from the airport and went straight over to the Wynn to pick up my media credentials and then over to Harrah’s to check-in.

Then I went up to my room, quickly changed clothes and headed over to Delmonico Steakhouse located inside the Venetian for the NASCAR Evening Series with Chef Emeril Lagasse. Emeril owns Delmonico and was a great host, mingling with all of the guests. He’s a lot shorter than I’d imagined.

There were various stations of food and drinks. I loved all of the food that I tried, except the foie gras, I am not a duck liver person I guess. My favorite yummy morsel of all was Emeril’s Pit Stop Slider, these little cheeseburgers that you got to setup however you wanted with pickles, lettuce, onions, ketchup, and mustard. They were melt-in-your-mouth good!

Emeril’s signature drink for the night was the Burnout Breeze Cocktail. Let me tell you, it’s a great drink! I loved it, so much so that I had two of them, or was it three? Whatever. It was a mix of Crown Royal and an orange/passion fruit juice concoction. Luckily there were little cards on all the tables that had the recipe for the drink printed on them. I’m sharing the recipe with you guys (see below) because it’s too good not to and now you’ll have a fabulous NASCAR cocktail to make at your next holiday party.

I think pretty much all of the NASCAR big wigs were in the room, we’re talking about NASCAR president Mike Helton, ISC president Lesa France Kennedy, and Marcus Smith, the president and CEO of SMI and president of Lowe’s Motor Speedway. NASCAR drivers on hand that I saw were Kurt Busch and his wife, Eva, Jimmie & Chandra Johnson, Mark Martin and his son Matt, and crew chief Kenny Francis.

For dessert there was a table setup full of cookies, mini pastries and cupcakes. You know I had to try the cupcakes, when I asked the waiter manning the table what flavor they were I almost gasped when he said red velvet. I have a serious red velvet problem. They were decorated with the number of the top-12 drivers so I picked up Denny Hamlin’s no. 11 to enjoy back at my room. (My formal review of the cupcakes was that Emeril has a little work to do on his baking, because in my opinion Sprinkles does a way better job. hehe)

And now the story behind the Carl Edwards photo. There’s not much to say except that I had seen him take a photo with someone else, and so I figured he was fair game. We weren’t at a track, nobody was on duty or anything so with the help of a friend we asked if I could get a photo with him and he said sure. That was it; I didn’t talk to him or introduce myself. He had to leave right after that. But that’s cool, I have the photo and it is awesome! It will probably be my Christmas card for the next 10 years.

The entire trip to Vegas was a lot of fun. I did a lot of stuff and met a lot of great people. I have to say that I am truly grateful and appreciative of NASCAR for inviting me to be a part of all of the festivities. The whole experience made me even more determined to be at Daytona in February but we’ll see. I want to be anywhere NASCAR is.

BURNOUT BREEZE COCKTAIL

Ingredients
1 oz. Crown Royal
1 oz. Aperol
1/2 oz. Pomegranate Syrup
1 1/2 oz. Passion Fruit / Orange Juice blend (recipe below)

Passion Fruit / Orange Juice Blend
(total 5 parts)
3 parts Perfect Puree of Napa Valley Passion Fruit Puree
1 part simple syrup
1 part orange juice

Pour all ingredients in a cocktail shaker.
Shake well and garnish with a Bruleed Kumquat.

Delmonico Cupcakes

Pretty centerpiece!

The back of Kurt and Eva Busch with Emeril Lagasse and Chandra Johnson