Christmas memories from NASCAR drivers
By Liz Allison, Turner Sports Interactive
December 20, 2001
11:40 AM EST (1640 GMT)
COMMENTARY
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Liz Allison
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It is that hustle-bustle time of year, like it or not. The time has come when you wonder if you will ever get it all done. Could you possibly have one more gift to buy? Another gift to wrap? Do you have to go back to the mall, again?
In the craziness of the season, you can't help but reflect on Christmas days that have gone by and how that one Christmas memory stands out more than another.
Do you have a special memory -- one special Christmas -- or are they all special? Did you ever have that one thing that you wanted so bad you could almost taste it? Were you lucky enough to have received it on the first try or did you have to wait for another year to try again?
Sterling Marlin, Dale Jarrett and Jeff Gordon share their favorite childhood Christmas memories and their own family traditions for this holiday season.
STERLING MARLIN
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Sterling Marlin
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Christmas past: "When I was 13 years old, I wanted the normal things like a football and a bike. But the one thing I really wanted was a mini-bike. I had been asking for a mini-bike for a while, but my mom didn't want me to have one. Her answer was a big 'NO.' My dad (Coo Coo Marlin) of course thought it was OK. On Christmas morning at 3 a.m., my Dad rode through the house on my brand new mini-bike. It was the coolest Christmas present, even though my mom didn't think so. That was my most favorite Christmas growing up."
Christmas present: "Me and Paula and our kids love Christmas. We stay so busy traveling everywhere during the racing season that it is good to be home and not have to go anywhere. We still get up on Christmas morning and open gifts with the whole family. It is always a good time."
DALE JARRETT
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Dale Jarrett
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Christmas past: "Christmas was always a lot of fun in the Jarrett house growing up. My mom and dad always made Christmas a big deal for us. I had wanted a bike for a while and finally I got a bike of my own when I was nine. That was a big deal to get my own brand new bike."
Christmas present: "Christmas is real special for me now because I have my own kids. We always go to my mom and dad's on Christmas Eve to exchange gifts with them. We have Christmas at our house Christmas morning and then head to Kelly's for that family get together Christmas afternoon. It is nice to be home and enjoy my kids on Christmas. Every Christmas is special for me. It is a special time of year."
JEFF GORDON
Christmas past: "When I was six-years old, I got a brand new racing helmet. I thought that was the coolest thing. I started racing so young that I thought this was great to get my own helmet. I also remember when I was nine, I got a brand new bike. It wasn't your average bike. This was the 'cool' bike that everyone wanted. You know the one -- the BMX bike with all the extras.
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Jeff Gordon
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Christmas present: "Brooke and I always spend Christmas in our home in Florida with our families. It is great to be at home over the holidays since we spend so much time traveling during the year. Christmas morning is great and Brooke always figures out exactly what I need or want. She makes it so special because she really puts thought into her gifts. Every Christmas is my favorite Christmas."
Whether you have one special Christmas memory or, like Jeff, every Christmas is your favorite, I sincerely wish each of you a safe and happy holiday season. Wherever you go this Christmas season, may it be merry and bright, and I hope that all of your Christmas dreams come true!
NOTE: Liz Allison's column appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com and the opinions expressed here are solely those of the writer. To reach Liz, you can contact her at liz.allison@turner.com.
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