Although you come for the 2001 Daytona 500 when reading this book you stay for the rest of Darrell Waltrip and his life growing up mainly starting with his high school years, his early years in NASCAR on up to his final years as NASCAR driver and finally the tragedy and happiness that occurred in the 2001 Daytona 500 while he started out as a broadcaster for FOX.

This is the second autobiography book looking at his driving career by Darrell Waltrip. His first was DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles.

This book though starts and ends with that 2001 Daytona 500. The triumph of younger brother Michael who was driving for Dale Earnhardt Incorporated at the time winning the race to the tragedy and the aftermath of Dale Earnhardt crashing and then dying at the same race, the rest of the book though is a solid read.

Throughout his NASCAR years as a driver in the book he gives good insight into NASCAR and then goes into dramatic detail in the final and most important chapter of the book. His pre NASCAR years saw him in trouble with the law numerous times due to his driving problems. It certainly showcased a part of who he was back then and continued to be while he was a NASCAR driver.

The final chapter though is a very sad one, but Darrell does go into vivid detail before the race with the pre-race interview and then the aftermath of him at the Halifax hospital learning about the death of Dale Earnhardt. I fully say pick up this book, it is a totally enjoyable read.

This is my 4th part of many for Sprint Cup Driver Previews. Sponsorship can change at any time. Up next will part time Sprint Cup Teams/Drivers.

47--Bobby Labonte--JTG Daugherty Racing
Bush's Baked Beans, Little Debbie, and other cars will sponsor this team again in 2012. Booby though only finished 29th place in the points with two top ten place finishes. He will get no more than five top ten place finishes in 2012 and do 26-28th place in the points at the end of the season.

48--Jimmie Johnson--Rick Hendrick
Lowe's will be back again to sponsor this car that finished sixth place in the points with two wins and 21 top ten place finishes. I see him getting no more than three wins in 2012 with 20-22 top tens and finish 5-8th place in the points.

49--J.J. Yeley--Robinson Blakeney Racing
This is a brand new team. J.J. though finished 35th place in the points last season with no top ten place finishes. Sponsorship has not been announced yet. I see this car getting no top tens and finishing 30-35th place in the standings.

51--Kurt Busch--Phoenix Racing.
Kurt takes over a car for only one season that finished 30th place in the standings with no top tens. Kurt though had 2 wins in 2011 with 16 top tens to finish 11th place in the points. I say Kurt only gets a couple top tens in 2012 and finishes 23-26th place in the standings.

55--Michael Waltrip, Mark Martin, and ???--Michael Waltrip Racing
This car was the 00 car that David Reutimann had that only had 3 top tens and finished 28th place in the points. Michael Waltrip was only in three races in 2011, but had one top ten. Mark Martin though had a full season of racing last year, but had no wins and ten top ten finishes. Michael gets the car for five races while Mark gets 25. The rest is supposed to be filled by some other driver. Aaron's is going to sponsor this car. I say Michael gets one top ten in 2012, Mark gets more than 25 races and pulls in only 10 top ten finishes. The car will finish 27-29th place in the points.

56--Martin Truex Jr.--Michael Waltrip racing
Finishes 18th place in the points with 12 top ten place finishes and no wins. I say he pulls off one win in 2012 and 13-15th top ten place finishes. He will finish 13-15th place in the points. NAPA will be back to sponsor this car.

78--Regan Smith--Funiture Row Racing
Regan had five top tens in 2011 with one win to finish 26th place in the points at the end of the season. Funiture Row will be back to sponsor this car in 2012. I see him with 8 top tens in 2012 with a shot to win another race, but will finish 22-25-th place in the points at the end of the season.

88--Dale Earnhardt Jr.--Hendrick Motorsports
Dale finished the year seventh place in the points with only 12 top tens. Diet Mountain Dew will be back to sponsor this car. I see him with a win in 2012 and making the chase. He will have 12-15 top tens in 2012 to finish 6-9th place in the points in 2012.

99--Carl Edwards--Roush Fenway Racing
Carl finished second place in the points with one win and 26 top ten place finishes. Best Buy, Kellogg's,Fastenal, and more will sponsor this car in 2012. I say Carl gets three wins with 24-26 top tens to finish 1st place in the standings at the end the season.

Jayne Lynch and Kate Upton have been named the grand marshals for the Daytona 500.

CHARLOTTE, NC (February 9, 2012) - With under a month to go before the green flag drops on the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, America Israel Racing (AIR) has unveiled its unique paint scheme for the No. 49 Robinson-Blakeney Racing Toyota that will be driven by JJ Yeley at the Daytona 500.

Inspired by AIR's mission of promoting the importance of America supporting Israel, the design prominently displays both the United States and Israel flags as well as a striking image of a bald eagle holding both nations' flags in its claws and an olive branch in its beak on the hood.

"We wanted to ensure our car design was not only eye-catching, but properly conveyed the mission and values of America Israel Racing," said AIR co-founder Rich Shirey. "The eagle in particular contains a great deal of symbolism - it has a determined look on its face, because we are determined to voice the importance of America's support of Israel.

"However, we wanted to be sure to include the olive branch, because it is a universal sign of peace and above all else, America Israel Racing's message is a peaceful one."

Images of the No. 49 America Israel Racing Robinson-Blakeney Toyota is attached. Additional photos are available on America Israel Racing's Facebook page at facebook.com/AmericaIsraelRacing or by request.

American Israel Racing has teamed with Robinson-Blakeney Racing of Monroe, North Carolina, to place a car in the 2012 Daytona 500 field on February 26 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. AIR hopes to continue its partnership with Robinson-Blakeney Racing beyond Daytona, and with the support of like-minded individuals AIR will spread its message of American Israeli support by placing a car in the NASCAR Sprint Cup field for the entire 2012 season. Anyone wishing to support America Israel Racing and its cause can make a donation online at AmericaIsraelRacing.com.
About America Israel Racing
America Israel Racing was formed to raise awareness of the importance of America supporting Israel, the only true democracy in the Middle East, as it stands against its enemies. The North Carolina-based race team, founded in 2011, is in the process of fundraising to field a car in the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series starting with the Daytona 500. Through strategic partnerships and joint ventures with other organizations, America Israel Racing hopes to spread the message throughout the world that the United States supports Israel.

AmericaIsraelRacing.com facebook.com/AmericaIsraelRacing twitter.com/AmIsraelRacing

Crown Royal® Kicks Off Nationwide Call for Heroes

Whisky Brand to Honor an American Hero with Naming Rights to the Brickyard 400 at
Indianapolis Motor Speedway

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. Feb. 7, 2012 - There are certain people who go above and beyond to change people's lives. From protecting our country to serving as leaders in the community, Crown Royal is looking to pay tribute to those who are making a difference. The whisky brand is encouraging adult fans to nominate their personal heroes (21 or older) for naming rights to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race, the Crown Royal Presents the "Your Hero's Name Here"TM 400 at the Brickyard.

The race, to be held on July 29, 2012 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, represents the ultimate celebration of heroes and will mark the sixth time Crown Royal has awarded race naming rights to an adult fan. For the past two years, Crown Royal accepted nominations for military and service members exclusively. Not only has the 2012 race moved to the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, but the annual program--now called "Your Hero's Name Here"--has been expanded to accept entries for all of the unsung heroes who make a difference in their communities, from firefighters and police officers, to first responders and local volunteers.

"The expansion of the nomination category gives adult fans the opportunity to honor all men and women who truly make a difference in their day-to-day lives," said Yvonne Briese, VP Marketing, DIAGEO North American whisky. "We've been given the opportunity to shine a spotlight on those who unselfishly commit themselves to giving back, and we look forward to seeing one of our heroes kiss the bricks in Indianapolis this summer."

To nominate a hero for consideration for naming rights to the race, fans are encouraged to visit the Crown Royal Facebook page (Facebook.com/CrownRoyal), where they will be asked to describe a heroic act by the nominee in 100 words or less. Nominations will be accepted until April 30, 2012 and the five finalists will be announced in May. Once the finalists are announced, fans will be provided the chance to cast a vote and determine the winner. The winner will be revealed in a special ceremony leading up to the race.

As part of the prize package, the grand-prize winner will travel to Indianapolis for the race, where he or she will be provided an once-in-a-lifetime experience, which includes waving the green flag to signal the start of the race and delivering the trophy bearing his or her moniker to the race winner in Victory Lane.

The race is the culminating event of the Crown Royal Heroes ProjectTM, an ongoing commitment to recognize everyday heroes and give back to their communities. As part of the project, special commemorative CAMO Crown Royal bag stuffing events were held across the country throughout the fall, resulting in thousands of Crown Royal care packages being sent to American troops overseas, with the help of Packages from Home. The Project benefits the brand's two national charity partners, Honoring Heroes and Operation Patriot Foundation.

Crown Royal's ongoing effort to identify deserving individuals kicked off this weekend in Indianapolis, along with various military bases across the country and will continue throughout the entry period. Former NFL standout Warrick Dunn made a special appearance around the big game to call attention to the program and encourage adult fans to nominate their heroes. Dunn has partnered with the whisky brand to honor his own hero - his late mother - a former police officer who was killed during an off-duty security shift 19 years ago.

About Crown Royal
Crown Royal Canadian whisky is the number one selling Canadian whisky brand in the US by value and has a tradition as long and distinctive as its taste. Specially blended to commemorate a grand tour of Canada made by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain in 1939, Crown Royal Canadian whisky's smooth, elegant style reflects its aristocratic origins and is considered the epitome of Canadian whisky. For more information visit www.crownroyal.com. Crown Royal encourages all fans to please enjoy responsibly.

About Diageo
Diageo (Dee-AH-Gee-O) is the world's leading premium drinks business with an outstanding collection of beverage alcohol brands across spirits, wines and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Guinness, Smirnoff, J&B, Baileys, Cuervo, Tanqueray, Captain Morgan, Crown Royal, Beaulieu Vineyard and Sterling Vineyards wines.

Diageo is a global company, trading in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: DEO) and the London Stock Exchange (DGE).

For more information about Diageo, its people, brands, and performance, visit us at Diageo.com. For our global resource that promotes responsible drinking through the sharing of best practice tools, information and initiatives, visit DRINKiQ.com.

About Indianapolis Motor Speedway
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway has been the worldwide leader in motorsports entertainment since it opened in 1909. The facility has hosted the Indianapolis 500, the world's largest single-day annual sporting event, since 1911 and also is the site of the Crown Royal Presents the "Your Hero's Name Here" 400 at the Brickyard and the Red Bull Indianapolis GP. The NASCAR Nationwide Series and GRAND-AM Road Racing also will make their IMS debut with races in 2012.

IMS is the world's largest spectator sporting facility and is the only venue to stage annual races in the IZOD IndyCar Series, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, GRAND-AM Road Racing and MotoGP.

About Operation Patriot Foundation
The mission of Operation Patriot Foundation, Inc., is to pay tribute to those who protect us daily - fire fighters, law enforcement, emergency responders and our active and veteran military forces, and to raise money for organizations representing these men and women who protect us. Our intentions are simple. To pay tribute to and help those who risk their lives for us daily and provide support to these people and their families through fund raising and ceremony in their honor. Operation Patriot Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. For more information, please visit www.operationpatriot.org.

About Honoring Heroes
Honoring Heroes, also known as The American First Responder Institute of Heraldry, has created nationally recognized awards for valor and heroism in the service of the First Responders' life saving mission. No federal, state or local funds are required because the First Responder Institute prioritizes using locally donated dollars to honor local first responders. Prior to the work of the Institute, there was only one nationally recognized award for First Responders; the Medal of Valor. We have created complimentary awards for heroism and exceptional service "above and beyond the call of duty." Awards are also given for direct participation in significant events, for improving security of the homeland and for exemplary service. For more information, please visit www.honoringheroes.com.

About Packages From Home
Packages From Home is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization whose mission is to send care and comfort packages to deployed American military heroes who are stationed in active duty theaters around the world, as well as to facilitate activities that elevate morale of all veterans. Packages From Home was founded in 2004 by Kathleen Lewis and has sent over 130,000 individual care packages and thousands of pounds of bulk mailing to deployed military troops overseas since its inception. You can make a donation and learn more about Packages From Home by calling 602.253.0284 or by visiting us at www.packagesfromhome.org.

Caption: NASCAR drivers Kasey Kahne, left, Clint Bowyer and Kyle Busch, right, fill out postcards for troops at the Crown Royal Heroes Tailgate Party, on Sunday, Feb. 5, 2012, in Indianapolis. The drivers stopped by and stuffed a bag in support of the "Your Hero's Name Here" program, which will award naming rights to the Brickyard 400 to a hero. Crown Royal sends the camo bags to troops overseas. (Jack Dempsey / AP Images for Crown Royal)

This is my third of many for 2012 driver previews and as always sponsorship can change at any time.

30--David Stremme---Inception Motorsports
This is a brand new team with no sponsorship listed yet. David though only had 18 starts in 2011 with no top tens. This team is expecting to run all but the road course races, but I think they will run them. I see no top tens for them and finish 30-35th place in the points at the end of the season.

31--Jeff Burton--Richard Childress Racing
Finished a disappointing season with no wins and only five top ten place finishes to finish 20th place in the points. Caterpillar will be back to sponsor this team. I say he has a shot at a win, but I do not think he will do better than 10 top ten finishes in 2011. He will finish 16-18th place in the points.

34--David Ragan--Front Row Motorsports
The 34 car finished the season with two top ten place finishes and a 31th place in the points. Taco Bell will be back to sponsor this car. David Ragan is the driver for this car though and p=icked off win and eight top tens to finish 23rd place in the standings in 2011. I say he does not better than 23rd place in the points with five top tens and no wins.

36--Dave Blaney--Tommy Baldwin Racing
The car had only one top ten in 2011, but finished 33rd place in the points. Accell Construction is one sponsor for this car. I do not see any top tens for this car and it may not even run a full season.

37--Josh Wise--Max Q Motorsports
This is a brand new team that is expected to go the full season. No sponsorship has been announced though. He mainly did Nationwide Series racing in 2011. He had 31 starts with 3 top tens to finish 16th place in the points.I see no top tens and a 30-35th place finish for this car at the end of the season.

38--David Gilliand--Front Row Motorsports
The 38 car had no top tens and a 35th place in the points. Long John Silvers will be back to sponsor this car. David Gilliand is the driver of the car this season and last year he finished 30th place in the points with no two top tens. I say he finishes 27-30th place In the points with no more than 4 top top tens in 2012.

39--Ryan Newman--Stewart Haas Racing
Ryan had one win in 2011 with seventeen top tens to finish tenth place in the points. Quicken Loans, U.S. Army and more will sponsor this car in 2012. I say he gets one win in 2012 with 17-20 top top tens to finish 7-10th place in the points.

42--Juan Pablo Montoay--Earnhardt Ganassi Racing
Juan had only 8 top ten place finishes to get 21st place in the standings in 2011. Target will be back as a sponsor. I say he has a shot at a win in 2012. I say he gets no more than ten top ten place finishes and get a 15-17th place finish in the points.

43--Aric Almirola--Richard Petty Motorsports
The car finished 15th place in the points with ten top ten place finishes. Aric though comes from the Nationwide Series last year where he finished 4th place in the points with 18 top ten place finishes. I say he gets 9-11 top ten place finishes in 2012 and gets a 16-18th place finish in the points in 2012.

This is my second part of many Sprint Cup driver preview articles. Sponsorship can change at any time.

15--Clint Bowyer--Michael Waltrip racing
This is a new car for Michael Waltrip Racing. Clint Though had 16 top tens to finish 13th place in points with one win. 5 hour energy will sponsor this car, but for like half a season. I say Clint gets a win, but will finish 15-18th place in the points.

16--Greg Biffle--Roush Fenway Racing.
Had ten top ten place finishes with no wins to finish 16th place in the points. 3M will be back to sponsor this car. I say he can get back to victory lane, but will finish 9-12th place in the points.

17--Matt Kenseth--Roush Fenway Racing
Finished the 2011 season with 3 wins and 20 top ten places finishes to finish fourth place in the points. Best Buy, Valvoline, and more will sponsor this car, but even I see this car going sponsor free for a race or two. I say he can get 3-5 wins and around 20 top ten place finishes to get a 3-5th place in the points.

18--Kyle Busch--Joe Gibbs Racing
Kyle had four wins in 2011 with 18 top ten place finishes, but end of season problems caused him to get kicked out of one race to help him finish twelfth place in the points. M&M's will be back to sponsor this car in 2012 though. I say that Kyle will get another 4-6 wins in 2012 and around 20 top ten place finishes to get a 5-8th place finish in the points.

20--Joey Logano--Joe Gibbs Racing
Finished 24th place in the standings with only 6 top ten place finishes. Home Depot and Dollar General will sponsor this car. I say he gets back to victory lane once in 2012, but get 6-8 top ten place finishes. He will finish 21-23rd place in the points.

22--A.J. Almendinger--Penske Racing
A.J. picked off ten top ten place finishes to have a career best fifteenth place in the points at the end of season. The 22 car though picked off 2 wins and 16 top tens to finish eleventh place in the points. Shell--Pennzoil will be back as a sponsor. I say A.J. gets around 9-11 top tens with a shot or two at a win. He will finish 14-16th place in the points.

24--Jeff Gordon--Hendrick Motorsports
Jeff picked off three wins in 2011 with 18 top ten place finishes to finish 8th place in the points. Drive to End Hunger will sponsor this car again in 2012. I say he gets no more than 2 wins in 2012, but collects around 20 top ten place finishes to get a 5-8th place finish in the points.

27--Paul Menard--Richard Childress Racing
Paul Menard had his first Sprint Cup win in 2011 to help him finish 17th place in the points. Menard's will back to sponsor this car. I say he will get 2 wins and 16 top ten place finishes in 2012 to help him make the chase. Paul will get 9-12th place in the points at the end of the season.

29--Kevin Harvick--Richard Childress
Kevin finished third place in the points with 4 wins and 19 top ten place finishes in 2011. Rheem and Budwesier will be the main sponsors for this car in 2012. I say Kevin will get 3-5 wins and 17-20 top ten place finishes to get a 3-5th place finish in the points.