Wanna Mix it Up With NASCAR's Tony Stewart in Sin City? Here's Your Chance!

So you’re heading to Las Vegas this weekend and wondering what to do?

Forget the Blue Man Group and step aside Wayne Newton, its NASCAR weekend in Sin City!

Kick it off right with one of Sprint Cup’s hottest drivers, Tony Stewart.

As the idiom goes, where there’s smoke, there’s fire and that is always the case when it comes to Stewart.

As NASCAR blazes into Vegas this week, Stewart’s fiery fans will have plenty of chances to mix, mingle and win big with their favorite driver.

On Thursday, February 25, The Office Depot located at 1435 West Craig Rd. North Las Vegas, NV 89032 will be hosting an autograph signing session and photo op with Stewart.

Lucky fans will have the opportunity to meet Stewart, check out the Office Depot show car, and see what life is like behind the wheel in the No. 14 race car simulator.

In addition, fans planning to attend the autograph session should also take part in the new Office Depot “Smokin’ Hot” Instant Win Game.

Now through March 6, fans who make any purchase at an Office Depot store will receive a scratch-off card for a chance to win instantly.

The game will have more than 35,000 instant winners, and one grand prize winner will receive a VIP race experience with Stewart at the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, plus a trip to Stewart’s “Smoke Show” fantasy driving experience at Texas Motor Speedway later this year.

Additional prizes include $100 Office Depot gift cards and exclusive Tony Stewart posters. You're so money and you don't even know it!

Increase your odds by getting to the store early, as this event is open to the general public, and only 700 wristbands will be distributed for autographs (one per person). The wristbands may be obtained on a first-come, first-served basis at the store beginning at 8 AM local time on the day of the event only.

Cheer Stewart on as he competes in Sunday’s Shelby American Sprint Cup Series race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway as he tempts fate in hopes to dethrone reigning champ, Kyle Busch.

In 11 career races at the 1.5-mile track, Stewart has one runner-up and six top-10 finishes, may luck be a lady for the No. 14 team and give him the win that he deserves.

Anything can happen when it's Vegas baby, Vegas!

Photos Courtesy of Edelman/Office Depot.

Life a mess? NASCAR's Tony Stewart and Office Depot help to clean it up

Did you know that Jan. 11 was “National Clean Up Your Desk Day?” I’m betting that a majority of you out there didn’t.

Why? Because you’re disorganized, that’s why!

Not to worry—you still have 343 days left in the new year to get it together!

If your life is anything like mine and you were born with the disorganized gene, then making a plan to put and keep things in their proper place is all but impossible!

But with the help of Office Depot and tips from Tony Stewart, I am well on my way to better organization, and you can be too.

I know what you’re thinking: organizing tips from Tony Stewart? Really?

Really!

Strip away his familiar red firesuit, replace it with a pinstripe business suit, and you'll quickly see that Stewart "cleans up" quite nicely!

After a successful season as a first-time small business owner, Stewart, driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevy Impala and team owner at Stewart-Haas Racing in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, knows a thing or two about the importance of staying organized.

Stewart has teamed up with Office Depot to share a few fun tips to help fellow business professionals and NASCAR fans get—and stay—organized by the time the 2010 NASCAR season officially kicks off on Feb. 14 at Daytona International Speedway.

The hardest part of getting organized is taking the first step. It is hard to even know where to begin, but thanks to Stewart and the good folks at Office Depot, getting organized has never been easier!

So ask yourself: What would Tony do?

Throw a caution flag and write it all down.

Make out a list of everything that you need to keep track of, projects to manage, items on your personal agenda, or just everyday tasks that are in need of a good un-cluttering.

Tony Stewart’s top 10 organizational tips

1. I have a frequent nightmare about showing up at the wrong race track during the NASCAR season...so yes, I WILL take that new day planner, thank you very much.

2. Alphabetizing fan mail is actually one of my favorite ways to relax. Note to self: Need to buy more file folders and color-coded adhesive labels from Office Depot. And note to readers of this list: Can’t wait to get your note...especially if your last name starts with “Q” or “Z”!

3. Also relaxing? Shredding old documents with an Ativa Paper Shredder from Office Depot. Seriously, just try it. Very therapeutic. Plus, it plays a key role in keeping our chassis set-ups top-secret.

4. How did anyone remember to do anything before Sticky Notes were invented?

5. So many Victory Lane photos and not nearly enough wall space. A new Ativa Digital Photo Frame is definitely on my preseason shopping list so I can put all of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice team’s winning shots on automated rotating display.

6. Gotta get a new dry-erase board for some very serious race strategy sessions with my crew chief, Darian Grubb. And—you caught me—our occasional game of Pictionary.

7. When a computer virus or hard-drive meltdown catches you off-guard, it’s a lot like wrecking your primary race car and then realizing you forgot to bring the backup car to the track. That said, I’m making it a New Year’s Resolution to back up all of my important files on CDs and memory cards from Office Depot...just in case.

8. I might not know how to play the accordion...but Office Depot accordion folders with expanding pockets? Those I know and love. A lot.

9. Paper clips and pushpins are like glitter; they really do have a way of getting everywhere. I think it’s finally time to man up and buy an Office Depot desktop organizer to help control the chaos.

10. I’m a small business owner, but there’s nothing small about my business card collection: I meet and work with a lot of great people, after all. A new Rolodex from Office Depot is a smart and simple way to keep track of my expanding network. Plus, let’s just admit it—making the cards spin around is pretty fun.

Be sure to check out the “Get Organized” tab on Office Depot’s Facebook fan page to read more about all the things Tony will be doing to organize his office space beyond the racetrack in 2010.

Photo Courtesy of Edelman/Office Depot

Listen Learn Care: NASCAR's Tony Stewart honored for helping others fulfill their dreams

When you think of NASCAR drivers, what is the first thing that comes to mind?

A polarizing presence behind the wheel of a 3400 lb. stock car, who, along with 42 other drivers, skillfully pilot their machines around tracks of varying distances and speeds 36 weeks out of the year?

Or,

Someone who has an inclination and desire to increase the well-being of humankind through charitable aid?

The truth is many of today’s drivers are both. They dedicate their time off the track to raise funds and awareness to charities that are close to their hearts. Many of our favorite drivers recognize that they have achieved their dreams and goals and in turn are assisting others to reach their own.

One of the finest examples of how devotion to driving and giving back to community go hand-in-hand, comes from Tony Stewart.

As a devoted philanthropist, Stewart, who formed The Tony Stewart Foundation in 2003 with a goal to raise funds that are primarily geared to groups involving chronically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities and organizations dedicated to the protection of various animal species, also assists his primary sponsor’s charitable arm, The Office Depot Foundation.

In keeping with its mission, Listen Learn Care, the Office Depot Foundation supports a variety of programs that help children succeed in school and in life; enable civil society (non-profit) organizations to become more efficient and effective; help people and businesses prepare for disasters, then recover and rebuild afterwards; strengthen local communities through grants, product donations and volunteerism; and encourage community development through entrepreneurship and economic innovation.

Thanks in part to the driver’s dedication to giving back to his community, Stewart and his mother, Pam Boas were recently recognized with the organization’s highest honor: the “Listen Learn Care Award.”

Stewart, a two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion and driver of the No. 14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, assisted the Office Depot Foundation last summer in donating its two-millionth backpack since the inception of the National Backpack Program in 2001.

The Indiana native personally presented backpacks filled with essential school supplies to children in need during “Back-to-School Backpack Celebration” events in Atlanta, Charlotte, Chicago, Indianapolis and Kansas City.

“It’s a great honor to receive the Office Depot Foundation’s ‘Listen Learn Care Award,’ especially alongside my mom,” Stewart said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to accomplish my dream of driving race cars for a living, and my mom always supported me in that goal. It means a lot to both of us to be able to give back and help others—especially kids—as they work hard toward achieving their dreams, too.”

Boas, a board member of the Tony Stewart Foundation, assisted in donating more than 5,500 backpacks to a number of groups that the organization traditionally supports. These groups included the Bartholomew School District in Columbus, Ind., Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis and several summer camp programs for children who are ill or have other special needs.

“These awards recognize not only what the recipients have accomplished, but also their vision, their dedication and their persistence,” says Office Depot Foundation President Mary Wong. “We are honored that Tony and Pam have shown such great confidence in the work of our foundation and look forward to partnering with them for many years to come.”

The Listen Learn Care Awards were presented during the Foundation’s “Weekend in Boca” Civil Society Leadership Symposium, which attracted more than 125 representatives of non-profit organizations, government and businesses to Boca Raton for sessions focused on helping non-profits enhance the impact they make in their communities.

To learn more about the Office Depot Foundation, the National Backpack Program and its other initiatives, visit www.officedepotfoundation.org .

Photos Courtesy of Edelman/Office Depot.

NASCAR Family and Fans Join Together For Haiti Earthquake Relief

On Friday evening, Jan. 22, Hollywood’s heaviest hitters and the music world’s biggest acts came out in droves to lend their support to the multi-network television event, Hope For Haiti Now .

The star-studded telethon hosted by George Clooney, Wyclef Jean and CNN's Anderson Cooper, featured one of a kind musical performances along with live reports chronicling the devastation in the aftermath of the Jan. 12 earthquake, where the death toll now stands at over 200,000.

Stars shine bright in time of need and in the NASCAR world we are reminded of just how luminous our own constellations are.

NASCAR team owner Rick Hendrick was one of the first to lend a hand by providing two 45-passenger Saab 2000 aircrafts, flight crews and support staff to help the nonprofit group Missionary Flights International to help bring displaced Haitian orphans and U.S. citizens to safety through the Florida port of Fort Pierce.

The planes that normally carry HMS crew members to and from the racetracks, will be used daily to take medical supplies and support teams to and from Port-au-Prince.

The HMS aviation team volunteered for this special mission with open minds and warm hearts. All expenses incurred will come straight from Rick Hendrick’s own pocket.

HMS sponsors are stepping up to the plate as well, Pepsi, Lowe’s and Bank of America have each donated $1 million dollars to the cause, with Go Daddy.com donating $500,000 dollars and GM $100,000 dollars for Haiti relief efforts.

The National Guard is aiding in the humanitarian relief efforts by deploying aircraft and troops to the desecrated country.

While Hendrick and his sponsors took the lead, others quickly followed suit.

Driver and team owner Michael Waltrip donated his personal jet to the cause by flying a team doctors and medical personnel, all of whom are volunteers with the Lumiere Medical Ministires to Florida, where they linked up with one of Hendrick's planes to carry them on to their Haitian destination.

On Saturday, Jan. 23, NASCAR will team up with the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats to host the fourth annual NASCAR night at the Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, NC.

The two groups will help to raise awareness and much needed funds for the people of Haiti.

NASCAR showcars with special HAITI RELIEF logos will be on display at donation collection points throughout the city of Charlotte.

In addition, NASCAR celebrities, including Kyle Petty, Max Papis, Denny Hamlin, Michael Waltrip and the No. 48 team of Sprint Cup champion Jimmie Johnson will be on hand to help raise awareness and funding for Haiti relief.

Stock car superstars will be accepting drive-through curbside donations on the Trade Street side of Time Warner Cable Arena from 4-6 p.m. on Saturday and will participate in a basketball skills challenge on the main court at 6:30 p.m.

During Saturday night's game between the Bobcats and the Orlando Magic, representatives from the American Red Cross will be available to accept donations from fans and encourage people to make donations by text messaging the word "Haiti" to 90999 or calling 1-800-HELP-NOW.

Fund raising will continue on Sunday night, Jan. 24 with SPEED TV's airing of the NASCAR Haiti Earthquake Relief program in an effort to bring attention to the ravaged community and its people who are in desperate need of help.

“The NASCAR Haiti Earthquake Relief Special will be hosted by Rick Allen and Brad Daugherty. Within the show, there will be features spotlighting the tragedy in Haiti. We’ll show viewers what NASCAR is doing to help, and we’ll show viewers how they can help too.”

"The NASCAR Haiti Relief Special is NASCAR’s chance to make a difference. We can save lives, and comfort those in need. This is our chance to be a voice for those who must be heard. This is our chance to say, “Please help us help others.”

NASCAR fans, Haiti needs your support! Please give what you can by visiting one of the following sites:

The NASCAR Foundation

The American Red Cross

The Salvation Army

Help Haiti Now

No donation is too small.

“A whole lot of littles make up a whole lot of lots” - Stevie Wonder

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Move Over, ABC and Fox! NASCAR on HBO and Showtime is Where It's At?

One minute and three seconds: that’s all it took.

One minute and three seconds of the most visually appealing, innovative footage to catch my eye in a long time.

I felt myself inhale deeply as my pulse rate accelerated. It was slick and sexy; true beauty at its finest.

Just as I do every year around this time, I fell in love with NASCAR all over again, but thanks to an HBO preview, I fell a little harder and faster than ever before.

On Jan. 26, HBO will premiere the first episode of 24/7 Jimmie Johnson: Race to Daytona . It marks the first time that the network has chosen to dedicate its award-winning reality sports series to motorsports .

With seven Sports Emmy awards under its belt for the ‘24/7’ franchise, that until now focused solely on boxing, HBO’s reputation for producing one of the sporting world’s most brilliant series is well-respected and honored.

The four-part series promises “exclusive behind-the-scenes access, along with in-depth interviews with Johnson, crew chief Chad Knaus , team owner Rick Hendrick and the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports team as they prepare for the 2010 Daytona 500.”

Johnson, his wife Chandra and his No. 48 team offered HBO a level of behind-the-scenes access that is rarely seen by fans.

Johnson stated, “This is a great chance for the fans to really see me and the race team and what makes us tick, especially away from the track.”

“Chandra and I were big fans of the ‘24/7’ series with Ricky Hatton and Floyd Mayweather , and that’s kind of how this all came about,” says Johnson “We thought HBO did a great job of showing what goes into a big-time event and capturing the personal side of each fighter and his camp,” he continues.

“It just seemed like the perfect outlet to let the fans see what our team goes through and what better place to showcase that than our biggest race, the Daytona 500."

The cameras will capture all of the activities leading up to the Daytona 500 and beyond. The final episode of the series will air on Feb. 16, highlighting in real time, all of the emotion and adventure that encompasses Johnson and his crew on race day.

Hey, I’m not even a Johnson fan, but I can’t begin to tell you how excited I am for this to premiere. Maybe “outstanding camera work” and “exceptional editing” will make me a fan of the No. 48 yet.

Not to be outdone, Showtime has teamed up with the NASCAR Media group and will unveil its new series, Inside NASCAR on Feb. 10.

The show will consist of 38 one-hour episodes that coincide with NASCAR’s Sprint Cup 2010 schedule.

Inside NASCAR , which will be taped at the “new, state-of-the-art” production facility at NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, N.C., “will feature narrated highlights and in-depth analysis from each week's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, exclusive audio and video of never-before-seen aspects of race week and in-depth feature stories, plus forecasts on upcoming races and opinions on America's No. 1 form of motor sports.”

When asked about its multi -year deal with NASCAR , Ken Hershman , Senior Vice President and General Manager of SHOWTIME Sports, said, "NASCAR is one of the most powerful sports brands in the country, and we are proud to team up with them on this compelling new series."

"Given the level of access to drivers, tracks and teams afforded by NASCAR , we can offer something truly unique to both hard core and casual race fans," Hershman continues.

"We'll take viewers into new areas of the sport, into the hearts and minds of the world class drivers and teams, and give them inside access to stock car racing and NASCAR like never before."

Before HBO and Showtime got into the mix, DIRECTV debuted NASCAR Hotpass in 2007. By dedicating its exclusive satellite HD channels to four of NASCAR’s most promising drivers, it gave fans an exciting new perspective on race day.

Each channel focuses on one driver throughout the race, so in addition to the network broadcast, fans can follow every move made by their favorite driver’s in-car camera. Fans are also privy to the broadcast network audio and the driver's team radio.

With these exclusive channels, the network promises its subscribers “remarkable details that even pit-pass holders can't see. Every thunderous turn. Every near-miss wall scrape. No matter the speedway, DIRECTV HD will keep you on the edge of your seat every second.”

Is premium television the way of the future for NASCAR fans or is it just aesthetically pleasing filler to tide us over until "real" race day coverage begins?

NASCAR Wagers and Sports Illustrated Predicitions: A No-Win Proposition

At the culmination of each racing season, Sports Illustrated puts out its much anticipated NASCAR edition, highlighting great moments of a season past and predicting the outcome of a season future.

Adoring the cover was this year’s most celebrated driver, reigning champion Jimmie Johnson. If you are wondering whether or not the fabled SI cover curse will affect Johnson’s chances of making the “drive for five” in 2010, think again. He last appeared on the cover of SI on Nov. 24, 2008 and blew that theory out of the water by winning his fourth consecutive championship in 2009.

From Tony Stewart’s journey as a first time owner/driver to the outrage over Kyle Busch smashing a one-of-a-kind, hand-painted Gibson guitar trophy in Victory Lane to the bizarre twists and turns in the Jeremy Mayfield vs. NASCAR saga; the issue showcased some of 2009’s most amazing, controversial and unbelievable moments.

The magazine also focuses on the 2010 Sprint Cup preview. The “Scouting Report” predicts how the drivers will finish when the last checkered flag drops in Homestead on Nov. 21.

This year’s sneak peek into where the top 12 will place according to Sports Illustrated , are as follows.

1. Jimmie Johnson
2. Tony Stewart
3. Denny Hamlin
4. Juan Pablo Montoya
5. Jeff Gordon
6. Mark Martin
7. Ryan Newman
8. Kurt Busch
9. Kyle Busch
10. Carl Edwards
11. Brian Vickers
12. Matt Kenseth
    

It is a star-studded cast of the usual suspects and at face value looks to be spot on, but before you head out to Vegas to place those bets, let’s take a look back on seasons past to see just how off the world’s most prominent sporting magazine is when it comes to NASCAR's version of lady luck.

At the beginning of the 2009 season. Sports Illustrated ’s so called “experts” selected their top-12, in order of finish.

1. Carl Edwards -finished 11th
2. Jimmie Johnson -finished first
3. Kyle Busch -finished 13th
4. Greg Biffle -finished seventh
5. Mark Martin -finished second
6. Jeff Gordon -finished third
7. Jeff Burton -finished 17th
8. David Ragan -finished 27th
9. Matt Kenseth -finished 14th
10. Kevin Harvick -finished 19th
11. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -finished 25th
12. Denny Hamlin -finished eighth
    

Not a single correct pick.

In 2008, SI fared only slightly better, by foretelling two of the 12 Chasers.

1. Jimmie Johnson -finished first
2. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -finished 12th
3. Matt Kenseth -finished 11th
4. Jeff Gordon -finished seventh
5. Tony Stewart -finished ninth
6. Carl Edwards -finished second
7. Kurt Busch -finished 18th
8. Denny Hamlin -finished eighth
9. Kyle Busch -finished 10th
10. Clint Bowyer - finished fifth
11. Martin Truex Jr. -finished 15th
12. Greg Biffle -finished third
    

Hey Sports Illustrated, I want you, I need you, but there ain't no way I’m ever gonna love your predictions, cause two outta 12 is bad!

And 2007 proved to be another shot in the dark with only one direct hit.

1. Tony Stewart -finished sixth
2. Jimmie Johnson -finished first
3. Matt Kenseth -finished fourth
4. Greg Biffle -finished 14th
5. Jeff Gordon -finished second
6. Kevin Harvick -finished 10th
7. Kasey Kahne -finished 19th
8. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -finished 16th
9. Kyle Busch -finished fifth
10. Dale Jarrett -finished 41st
11. Carl Edwards - finished ninth
12. Denny Hamlin-finished 12th
    

I even went back to 2003 to a time before the “Chase,” to see if the choices made in the latter part of the decade were just flukes when it came to Sports Illustrated soothsaying, but once again it produced dismal results.

1. Ryan Newman -finished sixth
2. Tony Stewart -finished seventh
3. Jeff Gordon -finished fourth
4. Kurt Busch -finished 11th
5. Matt Kenseth -finished first
6. Jimmie Johnson - finished second
7. Sterling Marlin -finished 18th
8. Jeff Burton - finished 26th
9. Mark Martin -finished 11th
10. Rusty Wallace -finished 14th
11. Dale Jarrett -finished 26th
12. Dale Earnhardt Jr. -finished third
    

While the magazine undoubtedly spotlights some of NASCAR’s most memorable story lines year after year, their track record of predicting NASCAR contenders sadly rivals that of your local weatherman’s forecast.