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
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Carl gives us a birds-eye view of how a restrictor-plate wreck unfolds, remembers Michael Jackson, and dishes out marriage advice.
Kickin’ It IX: Posted 08/08/09
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Carl talks about his struggles with Pocono's double-file restarts, offers up a solution to fix NASCAR's problem with aerodynamics, and ponders when he might know the right time to retire.
Kickin’ It X: Posted 09/04/09
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Carl dishes on his meeting with President Obama in the White House, his thrilling Nationwide win in Montreal over Marcos Ambrose, and the time one risky plane ride led to the scariest night of his life.
Kickin’ It XI: Posted 09/18/09
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Ouch! A hobbled Carl gives us a progress report on his aching foot in the midst of a Chase preview and "to do" list in order to take down Jimmie Johnson. Plus, we learn the one sport that serves as Edwards' version of kryptonite.
Kickin’ It XII: Posted 09/25/09
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After a crazy dash to the checkers at Loudon, Carl gives his take on last lap caution flags and how his team looks to bounce back after a disappointing finish. Plus, don't miss some great advice on how to race your street car ... the RIGHT way.
Kickin’ It XIII: Posted 10/09/09
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Ever wonder what your favorite driver does with his old uniforms? Carl lets us in on that little secret, gives his take on the future of the auto industry, and takes a tough look back at a rough start to his Chase.
Kickin’ It XIV: Posted 10/23/09
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On the heels of his worst playoff performance all year, Carl puts rumors to rest about his blown engine and sets an optimistic tone for his team with just four weeks left in the season. There's also some exciting news for his growing family to go along with a funny story about the Halloween Costume that got worn one too many times.
Kickin’ It XV: Posted 11/14/09
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With just two races left to go, Carl tells us what it'll take to make the remainder of the ten-race playoff a success for the No. 99. He also dishes on an emotional meeting with Blake Bobbitt, the fan injured during his Talladega wreck, and gives us some inside info on his "Price Is Right" appearance with Drew Carey in Los Angeles.