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)

The Coke Zero Fan 400 is the first-ever race-within-a-race that allows fans to help their favorite Coca-Cola Racing Family drivers win by simply “liking” them on CokeZero.com. As drivers accumulate “votes” online they move up in the race standings.

Fans who vote for the driver who wins the Coke Zero Fan 400 earn a chance to receive a free 20-ounce Coke Zero to celebrate the win. In addition, Coke Zero will donate $10,000 to the NASCAR Foundation on behalf of the winner of the online race.

Each member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family competing in the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona International Speedway on July 3 also will participate in the Fan 400. Fans can begin voting for their favorite drivers on CokeZero.com today. Voting ends following the finish of the Coke Zero 400.

Now, here’s the fun part. Drivers like Denny Hamlin, David Ragan, Clint Bowyer and Jeff Burton made videos imploring fans to vote for them. I’ve found Jeff Burton’s to be the most LOL inducing. See for yourself after the jump!

Jeff Burton #1:

Clint Bowyer:

Jeff Burton #2:

David Ragan:

Denny Hamlin:

Today I attend the press luncheon (photo evidence at left) where Clint Bowyer, David Ragan and Scott Speed were in attendance. They held a short press conference and answered questions. Afterwards I happened to be sharing an elevator with Scott and his PR person and I introduced myself. Scott was very nice, I think he dug the name of this blog.

In other news…

– Dale Earnhardt Jr. really enjoys the soccer. Check out this video of him prepping for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. This also serves as my friendly reminder to vote for Dale EVERYDAY (put a sticky note on your computer if you have to), over at facebook.com/adidasSoccer (click on the World Cup Fans tab) so that Dwight Howard, Reggie Bush and BJ Upton will have to wear Dale Jr’s gear. We’re almost there!

1.) There was to be a group media session with Kurt Busch and David Ragan an hour before the game started.

2.) Kurt and David were going to take a lap around the field at some point in between innings with the No. 18 M&Ms Toyota showcar rumbling behind them.

3.) David and Kurt were going to lead the crowd in “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch.

4.) It was NASCAR Night at the San Francisco Giants vs Baltimore Orioles game

I parked at one of the piers just down from the ballpark and walked superfast to the place where my credentials were waiting. This was my first time attending a Major League Baseball game as a credentialed member of the media. I got to go because of Infineon Raceway and the fact that it was “NASCAR Night.”

I got the credential, followed the signs to the field and was able to be out there while the Baltimore Orioles took batting practice.

This was enough for me to be all “Holy crap! This is awesome.” Watching the players hit balls all over the place I was starting to wonder if I should become a baseball blogger. I have no idea who anyone is on the Orioles ‘cause I don’t follow them, but I was wishing I had ‘cause some of those dude were major hotties.

Anyway. I was out there for like 5 minutes when I saw “him,” Mr. Barry Zito. I have loved Barry Zito ever since he joined the A’s and I decided to remain loving him even when he went to the Giants. (I’m an A’s fan, always have been, always will be) I tolerate the Giants. So I see him and I’m freaking the eff out. I wanted to run up to him and make him take a photo with me (one that I’d use for Christmas cards forever) and be all “I looooove yooooooou” but you can’t do that as a member of the media, something to do with professionalism and objectivity or some such.

Even if it was from a short distance I was glad to have had that mini-moment. Moving on, I was under the impression that the group media session with Kurt and David would be on the field. I guess I was wrong because they didn’t show up on the field until much later when I was already in the press box and they wouldn’t let me back onto the field (not because I did something wrong, just because the game was about to start). I asked people if they knew where it was happening but they didn’t know.

I realized I had left my cell phone in my car, so I had to walk back to get it because Twitter is important!

So it was when I got back that I found out I couldn’t go back to the field, so I ventured up to the press box.

It was interesting being in the press room for a different sport. I’d love to say that it was completely different than a NASCAR media center but it’s not. A bunch of (mostly men) people in a room with laptops. I stuck out big time because I wasn’t a dude and I didn’t have a laptop. It was a great seat to watch the game from, right behind home plate.

I watched as the PA announcer introduced (and the big screen flashed) LDS Family Night. Wait, what? I though it was supposed to be NASCAR Night. I waited for the screen to flash a big sign saying it was NASCAR Night too but that never happened. The Mormons stole the show!

Kurt and David did give the players the command to “play ball!” and they did ride around the track in some buggy with the Giant’s mascot Lou Seal while the No. 18 M&Ms show car drove behind them in between innings. I saw David while he was interviewed on TV for CSN Bay Area.

And then I waited for the 7th-inning stretch when Kurt and David were going to lead the crowd in a rousing rendition of “Take Me Out To The Ballgame.” Well, that didn’t happen. Nope, Brooke White, one of my favorite former American Idol contestants, had the honor. She did a great job, obviously, but I thought it was NASCAR Night!?!

The Giants ended up losing the game, 4 to 1, to the Orioles. I had fun though, it was cool to experience the game from another perspective.

My view from the press box at AT&T Park for the SF Giants game versus the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday, June 15, 2010 (photo credit: The Fast and the Fabulous)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers Kurt Busch and David Ragan ‘give the command’ –’Play Ball!’ — to start the San Francisco Giants baseball game Tuesday in San Francisco. (photo credit: NASCAR Public Relations)

Former NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kurt Busch and San Francisco Giants mascot Lou Seal pose for a quick picture in the ‘pace car’ before their victory lap in San Francisco on Tuesday (photo credit: NASCAR Public Relations)

Sunday was of course the Coca-Cola 600 and on my drive in to the track I couldn’t get over the amount of tailgating that was going on seemingly EVERYWHERE. Every blade of grass surrounding the track was filled with trucks, tents and people with barbecues. Even the parking lots of commercial office buildings had groups of people crowded together. It was so neat to see. There’s tailgating at the California races but nothing to the degree of what I saw outside of Charlotte Motor Speedway. It’s something that you have to witness for yourself.

I got to the track in time to attend a tweetup organized by SBNation’s Jeff Gluck. I went to meet up with ‘Fabulous’ readers Tara S. and Penni. It was really cool finally getting to meet them in person. I seriously adore the women that read my blog, you guys are the bestest! This is the perfect time to thank you all for the sweet comments about my interview with Tony Stewart. I really appreciate the encouragement.

As I alluded to in the title of this post, the Coca-Cola 600 was really all about Bradley Cooper and his hotness visiting a NASCAR race for the first time. He was there with three of his other cast-mates to promote their new movie “The A-Team.” I thought Brendan Fraser’s presence at Chicagoland a couple of years ago was a big deal but Bradley really brought out the ladies. Media and PR people alike make it a point to be in the media center for the cast’s press conference. As soon as Bradley walked into the media center people were requesting to have their photo taken with him (as you can see at right, that’s not me, unfortunately), which he happily obliged.

That guy is JUST as hot in person as he is on TV. I can’t say any of those usual oh he’s not as this or that in person. He’s exactly the same, everything you’d want him to be. Gah, I should really stop because you don’t want me to start going on and on about his eyes. OK, OK, his eyes are super freaking dreamy. There was even this one guy who just said, to no one in particular, “Okay, he IS really good looking!”

I tried to take photos but they didn’t come out that great. Once the race started I went down to Ryan Newman’s pit box where “The A-Team” was going to watch the festivities. I watched them as they watched the Sprint Cup drivers take the green flag and noticed Bradley mouth the words “This is awesome!” Which, as far as I’m concerned, means that Auto Club Speedway should invite Bradley out for their next race ‘cause I’ll be at that race and it seemed like he was having a good enough time that he might be willing to come out to another one. hehehe.

Okay, so let’s talk about driver introductions and how much I adore my hard card. I love, love, love my hard card. I was able to stand behind the stage in the same area that the drivers and their “people” stand before they’re called on stage. It was extra helpful because it was hot and the sun was beating down on everyone, there was an area behind the stage that was totally shaded and I made that my spot. While I was standing there Michael Waltrip arrived and I just stood there like a stooge and said nothing. Then to my astonishment Ingrid Vandebosch appeared with another woman who I’m assuming was a nanny, but I could be totally wrong and if I am I apologize. She was standing literally, like, right NEXT to me and I said NOTHING. I was thinking of a ton of stuff to ask her like “Hi, have you picked a name yet?” “When are you due?” Not like I don’t already know when she’s due, but ya know just something about her pregnancy and whatever. But no, I totally chickened out because I’m just like that. Had she stuck around long enough I probably would have said something, it takes me too much time to work up the nerve, but she left as soon as Jeff Gordon was announced.

Even still I was so grateful to have the opportunity to clam up like that.

After the driver intros I hung out with the Office Depot PR people at the No. 14 Office Depot Chevy’s spot on pit road. I inadvertently met Tony Stewart’s girlfriend, but it wasn’t an official introduction it was more of one of those “oh my gosh it’s so hot” mutual agreement type things. Anyway, she seems nice enough. I don’t know anything else, but she’s got a hard card so it must be serious. Whatever gets us to ‘lil smokies running around, all the better right?

So pit road was insanely crowded which made me excited for Infineon in a couple weeks because I know there won’t be as many people around for it. Not that I don’t want people to attend, of course I do, but ya know Charlotte races just bring out a buttload of people because it’s equivalent to a “home game” for NASCAR folks.

During the race when the incident happened with Jimmie Johnson and he had to go to the garage I went out there too. It was amazing to watch the Lowe’s crew go to work on that car. They’re so fast and efficient. It’s very cool and it’s fun to witness Chad Knaus cool as a cucumber through it all. It also reminded me that I hadn’t taken my Obligatory Ron Malec photo, but I couldn’t ‘cause my battery died.

So the race was the race, Kurt Busch won. Nothing that remarkable happened post-race. The next day I went home to the Bay Area and proceeded to have dinner at 3pm in the afternoon and then went straight to bed. I didn’t wake up until the next day.

An up-close look at the one trophy I’d actually want in my home. It was pretty cool.

The Coca-Cola Family Drivers had to wait on the side of the stage until after driver intros to take a group photo. (left to right) Tony Stewart, Bobby Labonte (back to the camera), Michael Waltrip, and David Ragan.

Marcos Ambrose was sorting out who was going to take his two daughters once they exited the stage and he took his parade lap.

Jimmie Johnson

David Reutimann

Darian Grubb, crew chief for the No. 14 Office Depot Chevy, holding his son Gavin who happens to be ADORE-UH-BUL!

Tony Stewart gets ready for the Coca-Cola 600

This was my view of the track from the top of the steps inside Victory Lane towards the end of the race. Good view.

If these pictures don’t make you smile you need to see a therapist.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver AJ Allmendinger waves to a young fan Friday in Daytona Beach, Fla. at the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick poses for a photo with a young fan during autograph sessions on Saturday at NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

A young fan meets NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Elliott Sadler and gets an autograph on Saturday during the Sprint Sound and Speed Fan Festival at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Credit: Grant Halverson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

A young fan gets an autograph from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan on Saturday during NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. meets a junior JR Motorsports fan Friday in Daytona Beach, Fla. at the NASCAR Preseason Thunder Fan Fest at Daytona International Speedway. (Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Adorable!!!

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Clint Bowyer takes a picture with a young fan on Saturday during the Sprint Sound and Speed Fan Festival at Nashville Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, Tenn. (Credit: Grant Halverson/Getty Images for NASCAR)

– Questions?: At the Auto Club 500 I did what had previously been unthinkable, I spoke during a press conference and posed questions to some NASCAR drivers. It’s still surreal to me to just be in the same room witfh these guys. Growing up as “The Shy One” I’m proud of myself for coming as far as I have. To top it all off David Ragan said he liked my question, which seriously made my life.

– Weekends of racing: While I didn’t get to improve upon on my personal best, I did attend four races — Auto Club 500, Shelby 427, Toyota/SaveMart 350 and Pepsi 500 — in 2009 and added photo galleries from each one to the site. And, I attended my very first drivers meeting during the Shelby 427 weekend at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

– NASCAR Citizen Journalists Media Corps: When I started this blog my goal from the beginning was to get as much credibility as possible. My aim isn’t to be TMZ (gag me) or to just publish anything. I want people to know that if I’m saying something there’s actual thought behind it. I respect NASCAR and this site is all about my experiences and about learning as I go. It means so much to me, probably even more than I know, to be included in the NASCAR Citizen Journalists Media Corps because to me it shows that I’ve done what I set out to do and that people like it.

– Sprinkles Cupcakes: I can’t believe this happened this year, It seriously feels like it was 2 years ago. My harrowing saga of searching for Sprinkles at Auto Club Speedway (and the follow-up) is hands down one of my best posts ever, and if you haven’t read it you should. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry, you’ll want to eat cupcakes.

– Champion’s Week in Las Vegas: OMG. Seriously. Getting the chance to attend Champion’s Week was just awesome. I had a great, great time, so much fun and of course had the most amazing photo taken with Carl Edwards that beats any photo ever taken of me in my entire life. I think NASCAR has found a perfect home for Champion’s Week in Las Vegas. It is such a fun place for fans and NASCAR drivers alike to just let their hair down and celebrate. Where else could I drunkenly accost Chad Knaus? I cannot wait for Champion’s Week 2010, which I am sincerely hoping includes Dale Earnhardt Jr. and then maybe I’ll be able to get the greatest photo ever taken in the UNIVERSE! haha.

– A few of my favorite things: Some people that are new to this site might not be fully aware of my sense of humor. I do have one and I like to use it from time to time. In “Dear Dale, It’s Not Me, It’s You” I compared my driver/fan relationship with Dale Jr to that of a love relationship between a boyfriend & girlfriend. Some people didn’t get it but whatever, it was funny and some of my best work to date. And frankly, if you can’t find humor in a sucky situation what are you left with? A sucky situation that just sucks.

With “My Mom Gets It Sort of Right” I shared one of my mom’s Christmas gifts to me which was a Dale Jr. baby car shade. It’s awesome because I am childless. My mom is great though, she supports my NASCAR habit and I appreciate that more than anything.

This year for the first time I put together my non-prediction predictions for the Chase of which I am very proud because they serve no other purpose than to make me laugh.

– You guys!: It’s still kinda weird to know that people know me and my site when I don’t know them. I am eternally grateful to everyone who reads this blog and gets any kind of enjoyment out of it. You guys are awesome. Thank you for an awesome 2009 and here’s to an even better 2010!

Did I miss anything?? Let me know in the comments.

– NFL star Junior Seau has a new TV show called “Sports Jobs With Junior Seau.” Before Seau decided to come back to the NFL he filmed this original series for VERSUS about the people working behind the scenes of major sports leagues. In the December 23rd episode Seau tries his hand at being a pit crew member for IndyCar Series driver Scott Dixon. Check your local listings.

– Mike Rowe, host of the super grody show “Dirty Jobs,” will be the Grand Marshal of this weekend’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I love Mike Rowe because he does muck around in all of the muck on his show, and he has an awesome voice. AND he used to host a local TV show here in the San Francisco Bay Area so he’s sentimental fave. I’m glad he’s doing really well.

– NASCAR Sprint Cup driver David Ragan surprised three Daytona International Speedway season ticket holders with free tickets to the 2010 Daytona 500 in February. There were pictures and I felt the need to post them.

Daytona International Speedway President Robin Braig, left, joined UPS driver Robert Clopton and NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver of the Roush Fenway Racing No. 6 UPS Ford David Ragan to present longtime season ticket holder Ben Allen and his wife with their tickets for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 at their home Tuesday. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Daytona International Speedway)

Longtime season ticket holder Mike Bruno Jr., right, poses with his tickets to Feb. 14′s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 and driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford, David Ragan on Tuesday as Ragan hand-delivered him tickets for NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, 2010. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Daytona International Speedway)

When he opened his front door, longtime Daytona International Speedway season ticket holders Jim Barron and his wife Char were in for a surprise — NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver of the No. 6 UPS Ford, David Ragan. Ragan, who stopped in Daytona Beach before heading down to Homestead-Miami Speedway for this weekend’s final races of the season, presented tickets to Barron for the 52nd annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 14, 2010. (Photo Credit: Jerry Markland/Daytona International Speedway)

Bristol was basically like Britney Spears‘ supposed “comeback” performance at the MTV Video Music Awards a couple years back. Everybody was all excited leading up to it and then it happened and it was a complete FAIL.

Bristol was friggin’ boring. Well not entirely but still a vast majority of it. So much so that I was actually sad I couldn’t take a nap to get through it. The Nationwide race was far more entertaining because when crashes happened it wasn’t just one car spinning out, it was one car veering into another and causing mayhem.

Yes there were crashes in the Sprint Cup race, they were just sad, not so much entertaining. There’s a difference, a fine line.

Watching Kyle Busch on Friday and then again on Saturday, I found him to be, dare I say it, almost endearing?? I mean, after the kooky collision with Chase Austin took him out of the Nationwide race he took a moment before speaking to the media and he sounded mature. And then on Saturday after he won, he gave a crying fan his checkered flag AND seemed genuine in his post-race interview. He didn’t even do that annoying whining while winning thing that he’s done in the past. Did he see a therapist in the past week? Or maybe it was the idea of not making The Chase that got to him? I dunno, but I dug it.

Kyle Busch gives the checkered flag to a fan after winning the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

So this is what you look like when you’re Scott Speed’s crew chief. Hehe. Just kidding.

Crew chief Jimmy Elledge analyzes data from Scott Speed’s practice session. Speed qualified third for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

David Ragan celebrates winning the Food City 250 at Bristol Motor Speedway, his second career NASCAR Nationwide Series victory. (Photo Credit: Jason Smith/Getty Images for NASCAR)

Hellooooo, Casey! Hotness.

Casey Mears helps push his No. 07 Jack Daniel’s Chevrolet to grid before qualifying for the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway. (Photo Credit: Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR)

NASCAR Nationwide Series points leader Kyle Busch spins after making contact with Chase Austin on Lap 52. (Photo Credit: John Harrelson/Getty Images)