Tom Peavy

Sports Writer/Preps

celebrity sightings

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.