Cartwright excited about resurrection of 'Kellys'

Entertainer busy proving she's more that just Bart Simpson's voice

Let's get something straight. Nancy Cartwright is not a 10-year-old boy.

Among other things, she's a woman who's rapidly learning -- and becoming a fan of -- NASCAR.

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Cartwright, known the world over as the voice of wisecracking Bart Simpson of the runaway FOX hit The Simpsons for the past 17 years, also is the founder of SportsBlast, a company focused on animated programming mostly for use by Web sites.

Among her projects is The Kellys, an animated series chronicling the fictional Kelly family's climb through the ranks of racing that is making its return to NASCAR.COM on Sunday following the MBNA RacePoints 400 after a lengthy absence.

The whole project -- and SportsBlast for that matter -- came about innocently enough.

"We went to a lot of the sports Web sites and we realized that there was one glaring omission," Cartwright said. "There was absolutely no animation."

Then came the question of which sport to center on.

"Back when we did this the first time [in 2001], NASCAR was in the news after Dale Earnhardt died," said Cartwright. "Then we decided that we would try to do something centering on racing."

And so was born The Kellys.

The series was initially distributed as three-minute, mini-episodes through NASCAR.COM in 2001 and 2002. The run attracted much critical acclaim, including glowing reviews from Sports Illustrated, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, the Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Animation Magazine.

But, Cartwright said, there was something missing.

"The technical aspect of the Internet was not what we needed at the time," she said. "Those that had computers didn't have broadband and even broadband wasn't what it is now.

"In that respect, The Kellys was well ahead of its time."

This time, the original 40 episodes are being re-packaged into 18 six-minute episodes.

"We took out a lot of the extemporaneous storylines, it's got great music, great sound effects, really the best of everything."

The episodes also feature animated character guest stars Camryn Manheim of ABC's hit series The Practice, Catherine Bell, from the CBS drama JAG and Academy Award winning R&B artist Isaac Hayes, who also provides the voice of Chef on Comedy Central's South Park. Even Kevin Harvick played himself for an episode.

There is one driver on her wish list for future episodes.

"They've told me that Dale Earnhardt Jr. is interested in being on The Kellys and I really hope that we're able to do it. I love taking people that aren't really in the business and giving them a great experience. Making it relaxed for them."

Cartwright plays the role of Chip, the youngest Kelly.

"The way we're doing this, bringing The Kellys to literally the entire world, will be awesome for fans and will introduce millions of new fans to the fun of stock-car racing."

One fan who's been introduced to stock-car racing is Cartwright herself.

"Once you get a taste of it, you really get hooked on it just being there," Cartwright said. "We were at a race, I think it was in northern California and this guy was just sitting in the stands talking with people around him, and every time that Jeff Gordon would drive by, he would yell and scream and wave his arms.

"Then, when he passed, he went right back to talking with the people around him," Cartwright said. "That's the kind of passion that NASCAR fans have."

Other than The Kellys and her role on The Simpsons, Cartwright's passion these days is being on stage. Her one-woman show, My Life as a 10-year-old Boy, based on her 2000 book of the same title, is part biography, part insider's look at The Simpsons and even part game show.

"We show people how The Simpsons is put together, give them an overview and have a lot of fun."

Cartwright also does a significant amount of volunteer work, particularly for groups concerned with the welfare of children and human rights like the Make-a-Wish Foundation and the Citizens Commission on Human Rights. She's also traveled to the Gulf Coast recently to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

"I'm lucky that my job gives me a lot of free time," Cartwright said. "I love that I have the opportunity to help. That means a lot to me.

"I've always believed it was important to do the best that I could, whatever I did, and to help others along the way. Also, that we are responsible for each other, our country and the world in which we live, and that each of us can 'do good' and make a difference."