Keeping track of memorable year; talks with Mario, Stewart a treat
Despite a bout of pneumonia in August that interfered with work, I've enjoyed this year's racing season as much as any since joining the Freep in 2002.
I mean, I got to spend a few weeks at Daytona in February, ran four laps in an Indy car at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in May and covered the return of the Detroit Grand Prix at Belle Isle in September.
But there have been plenty of special times in between, too, with the chance to write about and experience racing from all levels, at an assortment of venues and with a galaxy of personalities.
In January, one of my journalistic dreams came true: an off-the-cuff chat with Mario Andretti, arguably the greatest race-car driver ever.
It happened in Charlotte, N.C., on a NASCAR media tour, late at night, and with just a couple of writers still savoring a cocktail at an ESPN function.
Andretti, usually a good interview, was in rare form, talking freely of his love for the Indianapolis 500, his son, Michael, and grandson, Marco.
In an era when getting a couple of seconds with a professional athlete is tough enough, here was Andretti -- F1 champ, Indy 500 and Daytona 500 winner -- chatting about his career, family and favorite racing moments until his publicist finally pried him away, a few minutes shy of midnight.
Andretti is pure racer.
In June, I sneaked in an interview with Tony Stewart after he'd done a promotion at a bank in Brooklyn, a couple of miles from Michigan International Speedway.
That's Tony Stewart -- the media monster, who has terrorized photographers and reporters at tracks around the country.
Well, sorry to ruin his reputation, but Tony Stewart can be a real pleasant guy -- funny, warm and, like Andretti, driven. It doesn't take long to understand just how much Tony Stewart loves driving anything with wheels, anywhere, at anytime.
With Tony Stewart, it's about trust and respect. He's a throwback, in the vein of A.J. Foyt, his bark much worse than his bite, I found.
While we were talking, Tony Stewart persuaded me to check out Eldora Speedway, his racetrack in western Ohio.
With some Chevy racing folk, I attended the Nextel Prelude to the Dream event there in June, which featured a bunch of Cup drivers, including Tony Stewart, on the half-mile dirt oval.
I ate dust until it choked me, but I can't remember having more fun. The racing was intense, Stewart playing the perfect host. Eldora is on my 2008 calendar.
At MIS in June and August, I said hello to one of the true gentlemen and great all-around drivers of motor racing -- Bobby Allison, the 1983 NASCAR champion and member of the Alabama Gang.
Allison lost two sons, Davey and Clifford, in racing-related accidents, was almost killed himself at Pocono Raceway in 1988 and suffers from his injuries to this day.
He shuffles about, has short-term memory loss and often goes unnoticed by fans.
If any man has a right to be bitter, it would Allison.
But, no, Bobby is always willing to stop, shake your hand and give you a big smile. He's a treasure.
Earlier this month, I worked the Toledo Speedway ARCA Re/Max weekend and met a whole new group of people. The track is fast, the hot dogs are good and running into nine-time ARCA champ Frank Kimmel is always a treat.
Andretti ... Tony Stewart ... Allison ... Kimmel ... It doesn't get a whole lot better than making a buck while talking to them.
