Some will argue with my characterization of NASCAR drivers as athletes. Honestly, I might have argued with it until recently, when I've gotten a better understanding about what they endure. I'm not a huge fan of the sport, as I've said before. I'm trying to get into it, but I was born in Long Island, and I still don't entirely understand its appeal.

There is no contest in comparison to other athletes that I have covered: NASCAR drivers in general are by far the most cooperative. They get it.

Carl Edwards was shirtless on the cover of ESPN The Magazine last week (and who is dating swimmer Amanda Beard) and he still has no airs about him.

Edwards didn't grow up much of a sports fan, since he was too busy racing cars and mountain bikes to play organized sports. But he finds himself watching Sportscenter all the time now. And while he's a terrible golfer, he's hoping his improvement at disc golf will somehow help him on the course.

"I remember writing a lot of love letters, to girls in class," Edwards said. "I give them the yes, no, maybe thing. But I didn't think big enough to think I could write a letter to someone that I watch on TV or something. I probably would have wrote Michael Jordan."

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