Leno

The Car Guy of Benchfield

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Leno living a car guy's dream

By Steve Wingate, TCGOB Publisher

Originally appeared on Mike Calinof's "Stock Car City"

I first heard the term "car guy" from Jay Leno. Although I was never a big Leno fan, I found myself watching "The Tonight Show" one night when he had Tim Allen as a guest. They were out in the studio parking lot where Tim was showing off his "Tool Time" race car. Jay had brought along one of his cars, which I think was a "hot" Buick Regal. I remember being amused by the way these two guys carried on with one another about their rides-- the almost juvenile poking, prodding, bragging, the my-car-can-whup-your-car banter. I remember thinking that I would be a lot like these guys if only I had any cars to brag about. Jay referred to Tim as a fellow "car guy" on that show, and I've associated the term with him ever since.

Here is a man who has made it big and gained the financial footing necessary to amass a fleet of cars to "play" with. This is the same man who went wheel-to-wheel with Dale Earnhardt in a lawn tractor race and actually won. (Although I think Dale was a little too easy on him.) Jay is a big kid when it comes to that sort of thing, and I respect and admire him for it.

So it came as no surprise when I learned that Leno would be pacing the opening laps of the 2002 Daytona 500. After all, he did the same thing at the Brickyard 400 and the Indianapolis 500 last year, so the pacing the Daytona 500 seems like the next logical step.

"I'm going 130 mph and there are no cops behind me - it's the greatest day of my life,'' Leno said as he prepared for his role as honorary pace car driver for the February 17th event. Leno becomes the first driver to pace the Brickyard, Indy and Daytona when he rolls off pit road at next month's season-opening Daytona 500. "That's quite an honor,'' he said.

Leno will be pacing the field in a Pontiac Firebird pace car. The Daytona 500 marks the last appearance for the Firebird at the event. On September 25th of last year, General Motors confirmed the fears of enthusiasts everywhere by announcing the end of the f-body cars (Camaro and Firebird) after the 2002 model run. However, NASCAR fans will be glad to know that Chevrolet is offering a Dale Earnhardt Signature Edition SS Camaro for 2002. From what I've heard, they're already sold out.

I think all of us racing fans and/or automobile enthusiasts have the right to envy Jay Leno. He gets to drive a really neat Firebird and hang around the garage area all week. Who could ask for more? More importantly, we owe him our respect… how could you not respect someone who had the opportunity to race head to head with the great Dale Earnhardt and won?

I still think Dale pulled a few punches, though.

2002 Car Guy of Benchfield

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	The Car Guy of Benchfield Home + TCGOB NASCAR! + Photo Garage + Links + Mad Mad Automotive World + Driving Songs + Humor Pages + Reader's Rides+ All About TCGOB + Contact Us Leno living a car guy's dream By Steve Wingate, TCGOB Publisher Originally appeared on Mike Calinof's "Stock Car City" I first heard the term "car guy" from Jay Leno. Although I was never a big Leno fan, I found myself watching "The Tonight Show" one night when he had Tim Allen as a guest. They were out in the studio parking lot where Tim was showing off his "Tool Time" race car. Jay had brought along one of his cars, which I think was a "hot" Buick Regal. I remember being amused by the way these two guys carried on with one another about their rides-- the almost juvenile poking, prodding, bragging, the my-car-can-whup-your-car banter. I remember thinking that I would be a lot like these guys if only I had any cars to brag about. Jay referred to Tim as a fellow "car guy" on that show, and I've associated the term with him ever since. Here is a man who has made it big and gained the financial footing necessary to amass a fleet of cars to "play" with. This is the same man who went wheel-to-wheel with Dale Earnhardt in a lawn tractor race and actually won. (Although I think Dale was a little too easy on him.) Jay is a big kid when it comes to that sort of thing, and I respect and admire him for it. So it came as no surprise when I learned that Leno would be pacing the opening laps of the 2002 Daytona 500. After all, he did the same thing at the Brickyard 400 and the Indianapolis 500 last year, so the pacing the Daytona 500 seems like the next logical step. "I'm going 130 mph and there are no cops behind me - it's the greatest day of my life,'' Leno said as he prepared for his role as honorary pace car driver for the February 17th event. Leno becomes the first driver to pace the Brickyard, Indy and Daytona when he rolls off pit road at next month's season-opening Daytona 500. "That's quite an honor,'' he said. Leno will be pacing the field in a Pontiac Firebird pace car. The Daytona 500 marks the last appearance for the Firebird at the event. On September 25th of last year, General Motors confirmed the fears of enthusiasts everywhere by announcing the end of the f-body cars (Camaro and Firebird) after the 2002 model run. However, NASCAR fans will be glad to know that Chevrolet is offering a Dale Earnhardt Signature Edition SS Camaro for 2002. From what I've heard, they're already sold out. I think all of us racing fans and/or automobile enthusiasts have the right to envy Jay Leno. He gets to drive a really neat Firebird and hang around the garage area all week. Who could ask for more? More importantly, we owe him our respect… how could you not respect someone who had the opportunity to race head to head with the great Dale Earnhardt and won? I still think Dale pulled a few punches, though. 2002 Car Guy of Benchfield Home + TCGOB NASCAR! + Photo Garage + Links + Mad Mad Automotive World + Driving Songs + Humor Pages + Reader's Rides+ All About TCGOB + Contact Us