First off, I wanted to thank you all for the incredible response to my call for questions! I mean I was getting questions thrown at me left and right. I was getting them in the comments section here, in my facebook, on twitter, emailed to me, im’d at me and well I think you get the idea.  My dad even offered up some questions.   I received lots of great questions! I was  surprised to find out that many  people wanted to know more about Tony’s charity work.  So the first person who asked a question about the Tony Stewart Foundation was awarded the Tony Stewart Office Depot Standee (congrats @KevinMBoots77).  However-even if you didn’t win the standee, you may find that I also used your  question in the interview…because they were that good.

Anyway, this is our first interview so we are kind of proud of that fact.  Of course,  deciding to do our first interview and having that be none other than Tony Stewart is kind of like deciding you want to try to get into football so you decide to go to the Superbowl.  Anyway,  enjoy it- I know we did:

Amy: Do you think there is more fan involvement now that champions week is in Las Vegas and do you like that?

Tony: I definitely think so. when we did the lap down the strip the amount of people that turned out for that- it was awesome. It was nice not having to be out there wearing winter jackets and all that. But I thought it was a good turn out. You know, New york is cool but you kinda have to really be into being in New York. Everybody loves going to Vegas so it’s a lot better deal for us to be out here.

Misty: Now was the plan for that everyone was going to get to do a burn out and Jimmie blew it for you or what?

Tony: No actually he was the only one who was allowed to do the big show at the intersection and then he blew it up. It was like, man why couldn’t we have got him to that during one of the last ten races instead of waiting until champions week to do it.

Amy: If you could go back in time, what decade would you be a racer in?

Tony: Oh man. I would say….probably the sixties and seventies. It was a pretty cool era in the sport because there wasn’t all the technology involved. It was really about car owners that sat there with a piece of paper and came up and drew ideas. There weren’t the computers to create the ideas for them. Just racing was a lot simpler then. I mean guys would race Indy and run Daytona. To get to race with someone like AJ Foyt and Mario Andretti and guys like that would be pretty cool.

Amy: Is there one factor you can pinpoint in your success during your first year as an owner/driver?

Tony: Good people. That’s really the biggest key to it. Having the right people in the right places is very instrumental in us having the success that we have had. We have been really fortunate.  It was bad timing to one degree but good timing for us on the other side when the economy turned because there were a lot of really good crew members that became available and that is the hardest part of the process is trying to hire the right people for your group. So that really was an advantage for us- that we were able to get really good people and that has definitely ,no doubt about it in my mind, been the key.

Amy: Do you feel long red flags hurt your momentum during a race?

Tony: No. I mean I have been racing 30 years so when you go back you’re ready. Its not as big a deal as it would seem. There’s days we’ve gotten in the cars and had red flags because of rain and not even got the chance to do it again until the next day. You’re just use to it. When it comes to get in the car and time to fire it up you kind of go through that whole sequence of getting ready.

Amy: Do you have a specific sequence when you get in the car?

Tony: When I get in the car I buckle in exactly the same way. Everything I that put on is in order and it’s the same way every time. It’s almost second nature, you don’t even think about it anymore. It’s just very routine for us how we do it.

Amy: Your foundation works with many different charities, is there one charity that is closest to your heart?

Tony: Well, I think it still, on the children’s side of the foundation, is the Victory Junction Gang Camp. I mean Kyle and Patti Petty are really close friends of mine.  I didn’t know Adam very well but I knew Kyle and Patti very well. To see obviously how much it hurt when they lost Adam and it would have been easy for them to just walk away from everything there but they really pushed forward to make Adam’s dream happen and that’s something that we’re really proud to be a part of helping them realize that dream for him. You know any of the animal charities we do- it doesn’t matter WHAT it is. Those are a really big deal to us. I’m a big animal lover which ruins my bad reputation but it’s worth it. I just love animals and I always have. It doesn’t matter if it’s the Friends of Ferdinand program that we have with the horses or the ICAN Program with the trained dogs. You know any time that animals are involved is pretty cool.

Amy (left), Tony Stewart, and Misty at the Office Depot in North Las Vegas. (Photo Credit: Edelman)

So there you have our interview with Tony Stewart. It was an amazing experience and I am sure I will write more about it when I do the annual “Racecation Recap” later this week. I just want to thank Lisa and Jessie for making it happen.  And of course Tony for taking the time out of his schedule for us.

Ok- so my birthday was January 14th- but the best present I got was when my BFF came up the weekend after the 14th to visit me for my birthday. We did a lot of fun stuff and had a blast…but I HAVE to share the funny she inadvertently made.  We were driving to Monterey and she was telling me about how she went to Office Depot…”Yeah so I saw in the paper that Office Depot had a printer on sale and friend- it was a smokin’ deal!!!”  She didn’t mean to throw the Tony Stewart reference in there- but how funny is that?? That cracked me up – and what made me think about it was my trip to Office Depot on Saturday- I needed some post-it notes (and guess what? I ended up leaving with post-its, envelopes, and these really rocking Precise V5 Pilot Pens in Purple and Pink- they rock).  Plus I wanted to get a scratch card for the contest Office Depot is holding. It’s called the Smokin’ Hot Instant Win Game and you get a scratch card with any purchase.  You could win $100 dollar office depot gift cards, exclusive Tony Stewart posters, or be the lucky grand prize winner and win a 2 day Driving Experience with Tony Stewart at the SMOKE SHOW, A VIP Experience for 2 at the Coca-Cola 600 and $1400 Office Depot Gift Card.  Heck I would have been thrilled just to win the poster…but alas- I didn’t win anything on my scratcher. Maybe you will be luckier than I!  The scratcher game runs through March 8th so get yours today. Check out the Office Depot Racing site for more details about the contest.

Also-if you are looking for a behind the scenes look at the new Coca-Cola driver commercial look no further…

Enjoy…

On Friday I had the chance to watch Tony’s media session on NASCAR.COM at work (I was on lunch)….I even took notes people. But unfortunately in my haste to escape work on Fridayevening and get home I left my post-it notes in a little pile on my desk (I knew I should have slipped them into my purse right after the media session).  Anyway, while I was watching his media I happened to have TWITTER going at the same time.  And the general consensus among several of the media people I follow was that Tony was in a bad mood.  However from where I was sitting he seemed to be in a pretty good mood- he may have been a bit of a smart-ass- but that is why I like him.  Whatever his mood he had several interesting things to say…and they are all sitting on my desk at work…so this is from my shoddy memory instead of cute little post-its (they are cute- and I got them at Office Depot- they say TOTAL CRAP on them. Today I went to Office Depot to get more of them but they were out so I had to settle for post-it’s that say WHEN PIGS FLY instead).

When asked about his frustration with never having won a Daytona 500 he said that well it was frustrating sure BUT at least he still has opportunities to win the Daytona 500…he does not feel he has any more opportunities for a shot at an Indy 500 win and that frustrates him more.  He wants that Daytona 500 trophy even if his legs are on fire- give him him trophy.  He was also asked if he thought NASCAR was too safe or if he thought fans thought NASCAR was too safe.  This is where he got a little bit of his smart ass answer going by replying that what if he thought that the media center was too safe because all the media present were sitting in chairs with four legs so he was going to come through and saw a leg off of each of their chairs…what would they think about that? Then he stated that no fan wants to see their favorite driver get hurt so no NASCAR is not too safe.  I have to say personally I agree with him there- and anyone who thinks NASCAR is too safe is …sick. Because if they weren’t as safe as they are Dale Jr would have probably gotten hurt, maimed or killed in the wreck during the Nationwide race today but more on the Nationwide race later.   He also was asked how much more winning this year’s Daytona 500 would mean after the loss of Bobby Hutchens wife Sharon in the off-season (Bobby is the Director of Competition at SHR). The thing that stood out for me that Tony mentioned was when he said that before he even decided to take on partial cup ownership one of the most important things for him was that family comes first for them.  Tony also gave away to the media in a “raffle” two of those awesome Tony Stewart Edition office chairs offered by Office Depot- which was kind of fun.  I would love one of those chairs- they rock!!

Also on Friday I ran across this great Tony Stewart interview that the Racing Fashionista’sdid with Tony down in Daytona…It’s a great read!

And can I just say YEY!!! Tony Stewart won the Nationwide Drive4COP race at Daytona today!!!  I admit that I didn’t watch the whole race- I saw probably about 70 percent of it between loads of laundry and cleaning and that kind of thing. But the parts I did see were action packed.  I believe Tony started 32nd or something like that…and within the first 10 laps of the race only 2 of them were green flag laps because of accidents.  I think that Chrissy Wallace was wrecked out by lap 2?  Danica made it to lap 64 or something like that. While her start wasn’t what I would call stellar it also wasn’t what I would call terrible. She had some good evasive maneuvers that got her out of trouble.  She complained that her car had “oversteer” which I think might mean it was a little to loose but I could be wrong there- I am not up on my IRL terminology.  She was taken out by an accident that was not of her creating- she got tangled mostly because she had fallen back to the rear of the field because of her ill handling car and lack of comfort in the car.  After about half way Tony’s car seemed to really take off towards the front of the pack.  He just seemed to be either in front or behind accidents enough to keep his nose pretty clean.  What gave him one of the best chances to win is when Carl Edwards and Brad Keselowski got together and took half the field with him..including the likes of Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch and Dale Jr who went on a wild ride upside down for awhile.  As Tony took the checkered flag Kyle Busch and others were wrecking further back in the field.  Was it just me or did Tony’s car make you want an Oreo cookie?

I am sure most of you all know this, but this blogger has a day job.  It’s an 8am-5:00pm Monday- Friday sitting in an office talking all day on the phone about computers and technology and the troubles people are having with them.  I will say this…technology can make people really cranky when things don’t go their way (I have been cursed at, hung up on, etc and that was just last week- it’s life at the helpdesk- you grow a thick skin real quick).  One thing that this job is NOT is creative.  Pretty much the most “creative” thing I have done at work lately was figure out a way to fix my phone headset that magically broke one day (a paperclip and some electrical tape- and it’s nearly as good as new…except when the stray hair gets caught in the tape- kinda made me feel like Macguyver).

I commute about 20 minutes each way (slightly less in the am- seems to be less traffic for whatever reason).  During that time I am “writing” in my head.  Sometimes these ideas become blog posts.  Sometimes they become other written efforts (I like to fancy myself a writer remember).  Sometimes they don’t make it through the stupid Nissan Z that cut me off drive home.  However sometimes what I come up with are ideas that I think companies should use. For instance I have a couple of GREAT ideas for Tony Stewart Office Depot commercials. I have an idea that Office Depot stores could use to utilize Tony’s sponsorship of them.   I even have a good Ritz commercial for Tony…and a similar one that would work for Ryan Newman and Oreos.  I have some good ideas for alternate paint schemes for the Office Depot car.  And while a majority of these types of ideas have to do with Stewart-Haas racing- I do have some GREAT ideas for alternate Budweiser paint schemes for Kasey Kahne.  And some paint scheme ideas for cars that have sponsors that aren’t current NASCAR sponsors (APPLE, GOOGLE, STARBUCKS just to name a couple).  Unfortunately, these ideas just roll around in my head with all the other hare brained ideas and half-baked ideas.  I wish someone would pay me to think up ideas…is that an official job?

***

Stay tuned for an exciting contest coming soon (hint hint- JR.)

As many of you may know, I have been furloughed two days a month for the last six months.  Our furlough schedule has no real rhyme or reason that I can figure out. It’s not like its every other Friday (although some months it is).  For instance this month I had the 8th off and I have the 19th off.  In March my furlough days are the 23rd, 24th, 25th, and 26th (this month gets four days to make up for the fact that we didn’t get any furlough days in July). See- no pattern or anything.

Anyway I was telling a coworker last week that I have this constant worry that one of these furlough days I am going to forget and show up at work- and what’s worse is that I will be sitting in my office and not even realize I shouldn’t be working that day because most of the people on my floor are faculty and they have a completely different furlough schedule than I do.

Now you are probably wondering what on earth this has to do with Tony Stewart…well Office Depot had Tony come up with his top 10 organizational tips- all based on items that can be bought from Office Depot…. First one on his list?

• “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.”

Kind of similar to mine- except I never worry about what race track I am going to – those are my vacations.  If you go to their facebook page now you can get yourself a 10 percent discount coupon for Office Depot on organizational supplies too. I already got mine- because as I have mentioned one of my weaknesses is office supplies (seriously I can not go into Office Depot and leave empty handed. Same thing goes for book stores). Defintely check out their facebook page because it’s humorous if nothing else…I mean seriously- check out this tip:

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

Because this picture is the freaking best (pre)birthday present a (female) Smoke fan could ask for:

Photo Provided by: Edelman

Well and maybe this if anyone is looking for suggestions for my birthday (on the 14th):

You know…just in case you were out of ideas or something.

So last weekend Tony was driving a new paint scheme (the BK paints scheme was mostly white with blue and orange) and won at Daytona at night. This weekend Tony is running a special “Back To School” Office Depot paint scheme (mostly white with lots of other colors) for a race Saturday night at Chicagoland.  Hmmm maybe he will win again.

I found a picture of the car- so be prepared to look for it (not that you can miss it- it will probably be the most colorful car out there):

My favorite part is the part at the top that looks like a composition book. And of course the writing implements because I LOVE pens and the sort!! Anyway…the car will be hard to miss don’t you think?

Sometimes when I am bored or I see something I like or don’t like I mentally compose a letter to whatever it is.  Here are some NASCAR related ones (hey it’s on off week- give me a break):

Dear Office Depot Racing Website- I love your website. I love the different backgrounds on the different tabs and moving my mouse from side to side to change the perspective slightly (ok so maybe I am just easily amused).  I actually hit your site at least every other day or so.  However…I need new content!!!  I did notice you have pages for all the crew members now and that occupied me for a tad.  But I am  looking for new wallpapers and maybe some answers to the ASK TONY questions that have been submitted this far?  Or maybe another contest or something??  Just a thought- Amy

Dear Stewart-Haas Racing Website- I visit you quite often too. I have several things to say to you.  First off- kudos to the team managing your VIP Garage section. I had some troubles with my VIP Garage account and they went out of their way to get me all set up- and did it extremely quickly.  Also regarding the VIP garage- it’s taking me forever to be able to open up my gallery…and I want to post some pictures!  Maybe you should lower the number of points needed for the first gallery and up the points needed for the last. Or figure out a way for us to get more points faster.  One of the two will work.  Also- your store is taking forever to open. Please open it soon.  And when you do I would LOVE it if you would have a sticker of just the Stewart-Haas racing logo. I think that is a sweet logo and my car is begging for one.  Every day when I go out to start her up she asks me “DID YOU GET ME ONE OF THOSE COOL STEWART-HAAS LOGO stickers yet? I am feeling pretty plain.” Thanks- AMY (PS-no my car does NOT really talk to me- please don’t call the looney bin- I was just being dramatic).

Dear Team Office Depot: I really think that you guys are gelling awesomely.  Your win will come soon!  Keep digging in and not giving up (Atlanta was awesome- finishing 8th after being 2 laps down at one point! Talk about digging your heels in!).  Good Job–keep it up!!- AMY

Dear Kyle Busch- Your M&M’s car really makes me crave peanut M&Ms. I think it’s because its yellow and has M&M’s on it. Just thought you should know. Thanks. AMY  (PS. Your Pedigree car has never made me crave dog food though. Just in case you were wondering).

Dear NASCAR.COM- I really really really DO NOT like your new layout.  Amy

Dear Old Spice- Ok- I have seen the Tony Stewart Swagger commercials several times now. And I have to ask…what is the deal with being Russian?  Why does the nationality of the gorgeous trophy girl have anything to do with anything? Unsure- Amy