March 24, 2009
By Nick Blake
In what seems to be a growing trend, many NASCAR Sprint Cup series drivers are taking their talents outside of the track, and onto the small screen.
Over the years, drivers have become more prominent when it comes to selling their sponsors via commercials, and some become very catchy and memorable, providing the drivers 30 seconds to showcase their acting talents for the entire world to see. And in the case of Napa Auto Parts -- car owner/driver/pitchman Michael Waltrip, the right person was watching.
Waltrip was recently filming a commercial at Auto Club Speedway when track president Gillian Zucker made a phone call to her friend, Greg Garcia, the creator and executive producer of NBC’s hit sitcom, “My Name Is Earl”, recommending Waltrip for an upcoming episode of the show. In the episode, Waltrip plays himself, and according to him he “helps Earl and his brother, Randy, get out of a big jam.”
One of the more colorful characters in NASCAR, (I didn’t forget about you Kenny Wallace.) Michael Waltrip is everywhere, whether he’s listing off his sponsors in a post-race interview, calling Camping World Truck Series races from the booth, or even on Speed channel’s “This Week In NASCAR”.
I’ll say, one of the most memorable Napa commercials was when Waltrip was walking alongside the race track, describing everything that makes a race special, when he realizes he’s at the wrong track and immediately starts running backwards. Waltrip’s personality shines in the garage area, and sometimes the track too, let’s not forget.
However, he’s not the only NASCAR superstar that has tried his hand at acting on the small screen.
Robby Gordon appeared on the show “Home Improvement” in the mid 90’s. More recently, Carl Edwards appeared as a homeland security agent in the Fox hit show “24” in 2006, and appeared on “Guiding Light” in 2005. Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton made an appearance in an episode of the teenage drama “One Tree Hill” in 2005, but more recently made an appearance on ABC’s longtime running soap opera “General Hospital”, in an episode that aired just this past Wednesday*. Teammate Casey Mears appeared on soap opera “Days Of Our Lives” back in 2004.
Kevin Harvick has yet to make his acting debut. -- Just kidding, Harvick.
One thing that all the drivers I just mentioned have in common, in all their TV show appearances, they appear as themselves. Nothing wrong with that, the big name driver adds interest and more viewers to the show they appear on. However I’m pretty sure that we won’t see a NASCAR driver become a bonifide movie star anytime soon. (Sorry Chad McCumbee. You did a great job playing Dale Jr. in the movie “3”, but not good enough to go Hollywood.) For now, Michael Waltrip, Robby Gordon, Carl Edwards, Jeff Burton and Casey Mears are all focused on their daytime jobs. That’s winning Sprint Cup races.
* Reminder for those of you that missed Jeff Burton’s appearance on “General Hospital”, you can view the entire episode at ABC.com.
Michael Waltrip’s appearance on “My Name Is Earl” is scheduled to air on Thursday, April 30 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC.
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
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