Sports Writer/Preps

We’re under way at Talladega.
My job during the race is to wait on the large wrecks Talladega is known for. I’m stationed in the media center/pit/garage. On a wreck I head off to the infield care center to get some interviews.
It reminds of part-time job as a firefighter. You sit and wait...and wait...and wait. And then when it happens, it’s time to run.
Sometimes you get the call, or in this case the wreck. Sometimes you don’t.
In my case, I hope for the Big One because that’s what I’m banking my post-race sidebar story on. If we don’t get one...well, then who knows what I may come up with to write about.
Time to get back outside.
While the media center is comfortably air conditioned, you just don’t get the same feels and smells as you do when you’re out in the middle of the track area.

Sports Writer/Preps

Driver’s meeting is done. It last a whole five minutes.
And no surprise here, driver’s were instructed against the infamous bump drafting which has become commonplace here at Talladega and at Daytona.
The word “bump draft” wasn’t actually used. What was said was “aggressive driving” would not be tolerated at any spot on the track for the duration of the race.
Everyone in the room got the drift.
Back on a celebrity note, Tommy Tuberville is quite the popular man.
Following a large escort of state troopers, Tubs was swarmed with fans trying to snap a picture or get an autograph. Shoot, the lesser known drivers on the circuit can’t get that.
On another celeb note, one particular person I couldn’t figure out earlier was in the driver’s meeting.
It was none other than Maury Povich along with wife Connie Chung

Sports Writer/Preps

Pre-race in the Talladega garage area is ripe for celebrity sightings.
In my times here I’ve met quite a few - Adam Sandler, Will Ferrell, Ron White are just a few that come to mind.
Today was no different as I strolled with good friend Rachel Baribeau, a radio personality in Columbus, Ga.
Heading into the gate I realized I was directly behind American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. Rachel and Taylor go way back, so we stopped and spoke with him for a bit.
Later in our walk we ran into Auburn head football coach Tommy Tuberville.
Again, Rachel was the one to crank the conversation up, sharing a hug with the coach.
Tubs then looked at me and gave a friendly, “Hey boy”.
Not being sure if Tuberville actually knew who I was seeing as I’m not one of the Auburn beat writers, I introduced myself. Before I could finish he came back with, “Oh, I know.”
There were several other celebs in the garage, but apparently Rachel and I were in the minority who had no idea who we were looking at.
You can always tell the celebs.....they’re the ones with a throng of people around taking pictures and grabbing quick autographs.
Right now we’re looking at 10:50 a.m. The driver’s meeting starts at 11 so I’m off to the building next door to catch that.
Following the meeting, Tony Stewart is expected to “officiate” a psuedo tennis match between several writers on the big Talladega logo in front of the media center. Should be entertaining.