Perfect LandingYou might have seen a recent copy of Teen Newsweek and read the story of how a wayward helium balloon found its way to Kyle Petty's farm in Trinity, North Carolina.
Cortney Cameron, a 10-year-old girl from Hays, North Carolina, released the balloon from her home soon after the September 11 terrorist attacks. She and her younger sister, Cassidy, tied a note to the balloon expressing patriotism and asking whomever found the balloon to notify them.
The wind carried the balloon to Petty, who invited Cortney and her family to "Petty Days" in Randleman, North Carolina, where they met the Petty family.
Not bad. Now, pardon us while we go out for a quick balloon launch.
Open TestLooks like those open wheel racers just can't resist a good fast run in a stock car. At least three big names with ties to Indianapolis 500 winners have been dabbling with the fendered world of stock cars.
First, Casey Mears finished the 2001 season driving the No. 66 Phillips 66 NASCAR Busch Series car fielded by Welliver-Jesel Motorsports. He'll be back behind the wheel of that car for the entire 2002 season. Mears is the nephew of four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Rick Mears and son of off-road racing great Roger Mears. He competed in several Indy Racing League and CART Series events in 2001.
Then there's Arie Luyendyk Jr., son of two-time Indy 500 winner Arie Luyendyk. He had planned to make his NASCAR debut in November by running a Winston West Series race. He tested for the event, however the team later opted to withdraw. Luyendyk still plans to run the entire Winston West schedule in 2002 and attempt some Busch Series and Winston Cup events, driving for Triton Realty Motorsports. He plans to drive a Roush-prepared Ford Taurus.
Finally, Christian Fittipaldi ran his first NASCAR race in November by competing in the season finale Busch Series race at Homestead. Fittipaldi, the nephew of two-time Indy 500 winner Emerson Fittipaldi, drives for the Newman/Haas ChampCar team.
A New Power Ranger?Kevin Harvick has long joked with TNT reporters that their firesuits make them look like Power Rangers. So he couldn't resist the opportunity to have a little fun at Rockingham by slipping into one of the firesuits for a quick TNT interview.
Harvick must have liked his new look. He kept the firesuit on for qualifying.
Jimmie's New RideLowe's Home Improvement officials say they know more than just how to fix a leak or build a storage shed. They also know a good race car design when they see one. They went through dozens of potential paint schemes before settling on a design by motorsports artist Sam Bass for the Lowe's Chevy that Jimmie Johnson will drive in Winston Cup competition in 2002 . Sounds like a good idea for a "How To" clinic.
Safe Driving 101We don't know about you, but in our driver's ed class we got to watch a bunch of crummy videos. Now we hear that some kids were lucky enough to pick up safe driving tips from a guy who's used to going 180 mph.
The Georgia-Pacific Teen Safety 500, held last autumn in four states, encouraged and rewarded safe teen driving. Here's how it worked: Each participating school received $1,000 from Georgia-Pacific. The school with the highest percentage of eligible students logging 500 safe miles received an additional $500 bonus. The students also earned incentives and prizes for logging safe miles and received a Buckshot Jones autograph card with safe-driving reminders. Jones drives the Georgia-Pacific Dodge in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series.
"Take control of your life by staying in control when you drive," Jones told one group of teens during a speech in Georgia. "Wear your seat belt, watch the speed, and keep your mind on the road."
OK, so he used the same lines as those dull driver's ed videos. But I bet these lucky youngsters had an easier time staying awake.