NASCAR Babies Galore

Looks like there is a new race in NASCAR. No, I am not talking about on the racetrack, but it seems to be a race to the delivery room.

            The NASCAR baby boom started off in June 2007 with Jeff Gordon and his wife, Ingrid Vandeboush, welcoming their first child, daughter Ella Sofia, in June 2007. Nationwide Series driver, Jason Leffler and his wife, Alison welcomed their son, Charlie Dean, almost two months later on August 16th.

Sam and Crystal Hornish continued the baby boom in February the following year with the arrival of their first daughter, Addison Faith. Casey Mears followed welcoming his bundle of joy, Samantha Mae, that October with wife Trisha.

After winning the Daytona 500 in 2009, Matt Kenseth announced that his wife, Katie, was pregnant with the couple’s first child and due in July. Kaylin Nicola joined the Kenseth clan on July 6^th, 2009. The McDowells, Michael and Jami, welcomed their “McNugget”, Trace Christopher, on February 25^th.

2010 was by far the busiest year for the stork, with two NASCAR reporters and ten drivers announcing new additions to their families. ESPN reporter, Shannon Spake kicked of the baby boom with twice the joy. Twin boys, Brady and Liam, arrived four days into the year. Camping World Truck Series driver, Johnny Sauter and wife Cortney welcomed their first child, son Penn Joseph, ten days later. Athena Barber made Robby Gordon a daddy on January 28th when she gave birth to a son, Garrett Robert. Wyatt Herman Fritz Sadler arrived just hours after dad, Elliott, finished the Daytona 500.  First-time fathers, Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson both added daughters to their families. Edwards welcomed Anne Katherine in February and Johnson’s little Genevieve “Evie” Thursday, May 26, 2011Marie entered the world in July. Juan Pablo Montoya became a third-time father when his daughter, Manuela, joined siblings Sebastian and Paulina in July as well. Ella Sofia became got the title of “Big Sister” when Jeff and Ingrid welcomed Leo Benjamin into their family on August 9^th, 2010.  Brendan and Tatum Gaughan welcomed their little “Tater Tot”, Michael James on October 30^th. Ryan Newman and 2010 Daytona 500 winner, Jamie McMurray both welcomed their first children into their families in November. Brooklyn Sage Newman was born November 18^th and Carter Scott McMurray made Thanksgiving extra special for his family when he arrived that day. Speed reporter, Wendy Venturini gave birth to her first child, Caleb James three days before Christmas. However, it was Eliza Jo Hornish who would end the baby boom of 2010 when she joined parents, Sam and Crystal and big sister Addison, on December 28^th.

The baby boom is not over yet though. Matt and Katie Kenseth welcomed their second delivery surprise on February 22, 2011. Grace Katherine arrived two days after the Daytona 500. Kenseth is not the only Roush/Fenway driver expanding his family in 2011. Carl Edwards became a second-time father in May when wife, Kate, gave birth to their son Michael, and Greg and Nicole Biffle are expecting their first child, a daughter, on July 10^th. The Sauters also added to their family two days after Johnny won a Camping World Truck Series race. Paige Gertrude made her appearance into the world on April 6^th.   There are also two more impending arrivals yet this year. Scott and Amanda Speed are expecting a daughter in September and Elliott Sadler announced Wyatt will be a big brother sometime in November. Casey Mears and wife Trisha are the latest to add to the NASCAR baby boom with a new son. Hayden Mears was born on May 24^th.

I doubt this baby boom is over yet. More drivers will definitely add additions to their families. Who knows maybe the Busch brothers will join in the fun sometime in the near future. Or maybe there is a sibling in the future for Charlie Leffler or Emilia Reutimann. Who knows maybe even five-time and his wife, Chani, will give Evie a sibling. After all, there is not anything more heartwarming to a fan, than to see their favorite driver celebrating in Victory with their children.

More Than a NASCAR Driver

A hero may mean different things to different people. Some people may believe a hero needs to be someone who possesses superpowers or who saves the world such as Superman. Others may believe a hero is someone who does something for someone else and will put themselves before anything else such as a parent or a friend would do. Some people might even believe that a hero is someone who teaches a lesson like a teacher does in a classroom. Some individuals may argue that a hero had to do something important such as save someone’s life like a firefighter, though that may not always be the case. Jeff Gordon, a four-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion, may have never saved someone’s life personally, but he is saving thousands of lives every day through his charities and sponsorships.

NASCAR’s “Wonder Boy”, a nickname Gordon was given by the late Dale Earnhardt his rookie season, started his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series career back in 1993. He has made an appearance in Victory Lane a total of eighty-three times in those eighteen seasons. Aside from racing, however, Gordon is very involved with numerous charities and organizations. The Vallejo, California, native is very involved with finding cures for different types of cancer, especially pediatric cancer. He has seen firsthand from his own personally experiences what cancer can do to an individual and the loved ones around them. His car owner, Rick Hendrick, and the son of his former crew chief, Ray Evernham, both were diagnosed with Leukemia (both have been in remission now for a number of years).  After they became parents in June 2007, Gordon and his model wife, Ingrid Vandeboush, have also became major contributors to a campaign helping to prevent and educate parents on the effects of Pertussis or whooping cough. In addition, in 2010, Gordon signed a multi-year sponsorship deal for a number of races with an AARP organization starting for the 2011 NASCAR season to help provide meals for senior citizens who cannot afford to buy meals for themselves (Newton 1).

Jeff Gordon wanted to start a foundation in 1992 when Ray Evernham’s son, Ray J, was diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of one year. Gordon founded the Jeff Gordon Foundation in 1999. His goal was, and still is, to provide treatment for children with pediatric cancer whose parents cannot afford to pay.  The foundation’s mission statement reads:

“The mission of the Jeff Gordon Foundation is to support children battling cancer by funding programs that improve patients’ quality of life, treatment programs that increase survivorship and pediatric medical research dedicated to finding a cure (Jeff 1).”

In 2011, the foundation exceeded one million dollars in donations for finding cures for pediatric cancers (Children’s 1). He opened the Jeff Gordon’s Children Hospital, located in Concord, North Carolina in 2007. In order to raise money for the foundation, Gordon has a yearly raffle where he will give away a brand new Corvette. Tickets for this raffle are one hundred dollars.  Gordon and his foundation also are involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation which tries to provide children with a chance to have one of their wishes come true. He is one of only four celebrities to grant over two hundred wishes. He has also recently been honored by the Make-A-Wish Foundation as the number one celebrity wish granter in the history of the organization (About1). Sometimes Gordon will actually bring a child to the racetrack to spend an entire weekend with him and his team. The Jeff Gordon Foundation also works with the National Marrow Donor Program, or NMDP, and the National Marrow Foundation. These programs help to find a bone marrow or blood cord donor match for people who need one. Gordon recently went to Capitol Hill to make sure these programs continue to receive support.

            The father of two and his wife have teamed up with the March of Dimes and their “Sounds of Pertussis” campaign. This campaign urges new parents to get the Pertussis booster shot to prevent their newborn infants from contracting whooping cough. Whooping cough, also known as Pertussis, is a bacterial disease caused by the Bordetella Pertussis bacteria that can be passed to an infant from an adult (Racing 1). Though it is not usually thought to be fatal to adults, this contagious disease can cause a baby to be admitted to the hospital or even be deadly to the baby as a result. Gordon was not aware of the affects of whooping cough when his daughter, Ella, was born three years ago. He has said many times that he was shocked that he could have given this to her. He got his Pertussis vaccination before his son, Leo, arrived last August.  His wife, Ingrid, got her vaccination shortly after she had given birth to Leo as well. Both Gordon and Vandeboush urge parents and anyone else who may come in contact with infants, to get the booster to keep their children safe and healthy. Gordon even has a playlist people may download on iTunes. Five percent of each song purchased will go toward the “Sounds of Pertussis” campaign (Whooping 1).

            Jeff Gordon signed a sponsorship deal at the end of the 2010 NASCAR season with the American Association of Retired Persons or AARP and the Drive to End Hunger. The AARP’s goal is to help provide food, housing, income and isolation to senior citizens. The programs are paid for by contributions that are tax-deductible, grants and the AARP (Drive 1). They will be the primary sponsor for twenty-two races a season for the next three years. The Drive to End Hunger’s goal is to supply senior citizens fifty years ond over with meals every day. Every dollar spent can feed seven senior citizens a day. After Gordon’s win in Phoenix in back March, the Drive to End Hunger donated $10,000 to a local food bank located there. That $10,000 would feed 70,000 hungry seniors (Drive 1).

            Jeff Gordon tries to help people in every way he can. He races every week and when he is in the car, he is only focused on the task at hand. When he is not at the track racing, he is spending time with his family and visiting the children at the Jeff Gordon’s Children Hospital. Gordon even takes time to do contests on his Twitter and Facebook accounts so that his fans know how much he appreciates them. He has helped many people to have their dreams come true.

Why I Think Danica Does Not Belong in NASCAR

    

     Danica Patrick made NASCAR headlines last year when she made the move to stock cars from Indy. Some NASCAR fans welcomed her to the sport. Others, like myself, think she should have stayed in Indy.

     I think Danica Patrick does not belong in NASCAR. Yes, I know that other drivers have made the move, but how many of them have actually been successful? Also, what is with the “Go Daddy” commercials?!?! The way she acts in those make women look like objects. She makes it seem like you should go to the site to check women out… IT’S SICK!!!!! I also think she does not know what she is talking about half the time. Take Saturday for instance when she complained Ryan Truex was racing her too hard. HELLO?!?! IT’S BRISTOL!!!!! All drivers race that way, and he did not do anything to her. I was surprised he took the blame for that. Danica Patrick complains too much. I think she is worse than Kyle Busch and Jeff Gordon were said to be.

     The main reason I do not like Danica Patrick is because I feel as if she does not have a passion for NASCAR or stock cars. She came over to NASCAR because Indy was not talking about her. I think she just wanted the attention and her name in the sports headlines again.

     I am also sick of the media always following her around the NASCAR garage like she is the only driver there. They will mention her name or get interviews with her but what about drivers like Ryan Truex or even Mike, Kenny and Stephen Wallace?? You rarely hear about them.

     I would feel differently about her being in NASCAR if she would stop complaining about everything and actually take blame for things. She does. She does not belong in NASCAR in my opinion. She needs to stay in Indy and not be in NASCAR. NASCAR is for drivers who have a passion for it. Not to give yourself or even the Indy Racing Series attention.

Athletes: Are They Really Role Models for Kids?

Everyone has their favorite sports to watch whether it be NASCAR, football or baseball. You probably even have a favorite driver whether it is Jeff Gordon or Tony Stewart, or a favorite player like Tom Brady or Shane Victorino. You probably have even thought one time or another about what it would be like to have these people’s jobs. But how much do you actually know about the people you look up to?

Professional Athletes are not perfect. Take Michael Vick for instance. In April 2007 he was associated with an illegal dog fighting ring that ran for five years. In August 2007 he pleaded guilty to the charges and was suspended from the NFL indefinitely. He served eighteen months in federal prison and now is playing with the Philadelphia Eagles.

NASCAR driver Jeremy Mayfield is indefinitely suspended from NASCAR in May with a slim chance of ever coming back to the popular racing sport. On July 1, 2009 a federal judge lifted the suspension temporarily. Then on July 15, 2009, Mayfield failed yet another drug test suspending him again.

Baseball players Manny Ramirez (Los Angeles Dodgers) and Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees) both admitted to using performance enhancing drugs. They are both still playing baseball.

NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon is one of the best NASCAR drivers in history but he did not finish high school. He is still able to win and earn a living though.

So, athletes are not perfect, but what are they teaching their young fans? That it’s ok to break the law and do drugs or its ok to do stuff you know is not right, or not to stay in school. The fans watch them and think they are the greatest people in the world. Still, they do appearances and tell students they shouldn’t do what they did because they know first-hand what the consequences are, and that takes a lot of courage and strength to do that. So in some aspect, they are role models and are teaching kids to do the right things. Yes athletes are good role models, but at times they get too much credit because of the illusion that they have to be part of a perfect image.

Not All Hiccups in NASCAR Are Bad

I have been a die-hard Jeff Gordon fan my entire life. He was the first and only NASCAR driver I have ever cheered for. When I was younger, every time I saw something with a yellow number 24 on it, I would ask my mom or dad to buy it for me. My collection started when I was about six and I got my first Jeff Gordon shirt. Then came a Jeff Gordon stuffed doll and a pack of trading cards. Now, thirteen years later, I own over 100 Jeff Gordon collectibles. I even got a lug-nut off his #24 DuPont Chevrolet in 2003 when it was at local Wal-Mart. That was the closest I thought I would ever be to Jeff Gordon.

As odd as this sounds, I had my world changed on February 27th, 2011. For the first time in almost two years, I woke up with hiccups. At first, I did not think about it. Then I remember it was Raceday and what happened last time I had them. Honestly, I had to look in my diary to remember for sure, but then I decided I would let the NASCAR fans, especially the Jeff Gordon fans, on Twitter know I had hiccups and what happened last time I did.

I tweeted that morning “Good Morning race fans, I have the hiccups. Jeff Gordon is going to win today. Last time I woke up with the hiccups, Jeff Gordon won at Texas (April 2009) and the four times before that, he won those four races.”

I honestly did not think that Jeff Gordon would even see this tweet. I also did not expect him to win because I figured by saying that I had hiccups, I jinxed them. However, he did saw it and he did win. I was going crazy when he won. I was jumping up and down telling my sisters that I was right. I told them he would win. They thought I was insane actually. Then I went on my Twitter and saw at least twenty-five tweets about Jeff Gordon mentioning my hiccups to someone and saw that Drive to End Hunger tweeted that Jeff said “Someone on twitter-don’t know who- said she had the hiccups, first time since tx win-so she knew itd happen. Wow!” I was just shocked to learn he read my tweet. Out of everyone who tweets him, he saw mine. It was a dream come true for me.

The dream did not end there. He mentioned me on numerous interviews he did such as, Sirius NASCAR Radio after the race, PRN’s Fast Talk, even Jay Leno!!!!! I seriously want numb after that mention on Leno. I could not believe he mention my “Lucky Hiccups” on Leno! I am still shocked about it. I even got to do interviews with Sirius NASCAR Radio and NASCAR Now on ESPN. Who would have thought a girl from a small town in Pennsylvania would have this happen to them.

I appreciate all the support from Jeff Gordon fans I have been getting. I even have fans asking me on racedays if I have any hiccups. I tell them the truth which has been a no, but I do not want to lie to them. If I have them, great, but if I don’t I do not want to lie and say I do. I also have told fans that I will not force them. They need to come on their own. If I force them, they will not be lucky… not to me at least.

I have started a “Must Meet Jeff” campaign on Twitter and Facebook. The twitter campaign is using the hash tag #MustMeetJeff and you can find the Facebook page “Hiccup Girl’ Must Meet Jeff.” I have been trying to meet Jeff Gordon for seventeen years, and I am only nineteen. I am hoping that I get to meet him someday. I have had a number of chances to meet him, but I have had to give them up, including twice last year for deaths in my family. I even entered the National Guard’s Facebook contest last year 1700 times to win a chance of a life time. I’ll admit I cried for a couple of days when I did not win that contest.

I am hoping to get the hiccups a lot this year, but for now, I am just enjoying this dream that God is allowing me to live. I have faith that this may be the year I meet my hero. I will not stop trying to meet him until I do. One thing Jeff Gordon has taught me is to chase my dreams and follow my heart. That is what I am going to do. I will Refuse to Lose!!!!