Hello, race fans! This season, Carl’s been documenting his experiences with a diary every couple of weeks over on Sports Illustrated’s website. Called “Kickin’ It With Carl,” it’s a unique, in-depth look into his life, a cool article where he not only talks about his in-race performance but about a bunch of off-the-track and pop culture stuff. There’s even a section where fans can write in and get advice! It’s been a great experience for me as a writer and a pleasure to work with Carl. It’s rare in this garage area to find someone so genuine both in and out of the spotlight, and as we slowly become friends it’s easy to see why he’s got so many dedicated fans like you.

Here’s the links to each of the 2009 diary editions so far this season. Hope you enjoy it, and remember, if you want to ask Carl a question, just send me an email at tbowles81@yahoo.com and who knows – you could be in the very next edition of Kickin’ It!

Sincerely,

Tom Bowles
Sports Illustrated / SI.com

DIARY ENTRIES:

Kickin’ It I : Posted 03/05/09

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Carl talks about the start to his season, Alex Rodriguez on steroids, gives some advice on losing weight, and shows us … the Turtleman?

Kickin’ It II : Posted 03/19/09

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Carl talks about how to get started in racing, gives away his wife’s secret NCAA crush, and takes us for a lap around the world’s fastest half-mile in Bristol.

Kickin’ It III: Posted 04/03/09

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Carl goes over keeping his pit crew together in the face of adversity, tells us the true story behind the backflip, and let’s us in on a little April Fool’s Day joke … where his wife came out the big winner.

Kickin’ It IV: Posted 04/24/09

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Carl talks about his dog, the loss of a friend on the crew, and dirt trackin’ it at Talladega.

Kickin’ It V: Posted 05/02/09

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Just days after the big wreck at Talladega, Carl retells that harrowing experience, talks about the emotional call with the fan who was hurt, and suggests ways to make restrictor plate racing safer – all in the midst of gardening for Scotts with a bunch of inner city kids.

Kickin’ It VI: Posted 05/16/09

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On the eve of the All-Star Race, Carl talks about recovering from a wreck at Darlington with his teammate, gives his take on the Mayfield drug suspension, and starts salivating over … blueberry crisp?

Kickin’ It VII: Posted 06/11/09

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Coming off a runner-up finish at Pocono, Carl talks about the boost in momentum, what Roush needs to do to catch Hendrick Motorsports, and tells you the right way to get an autograph in the garage.

Kickin’ It VIII: Posted 07/10/09

Link to Entry

Carl gives us a birds-eye view of how a restrictor-plate wreck unfolds, remembers Michael Jackson, and dishes out marriage advice.

 

COMING SOON 

Kickin’ It IX: Posted 08/07/09 Link: Kickin’ It X: Posted 08/21/09 Link:
Kickin’ It XI: Posted 09/11/09 Link:
Kickin’ It XII: Posted 09/18/09 Link:
Kickin’ It XIII: Posted 09/25/09 Link:
Kickin’ It XIV: Posted 10/09/09 Link:
Kickin’ It XV: Posted 10/23/09 Link:
Kickin’ It XVI: Posted 11/06/09 Link:
Kickin’ It XVII: Posted 11/20/09 Link: