Six Laps of Separation: Waltrip to Petersen

Michael Waltrip has four wins on the Cup circuit, all on restrictor-plate tracks. His most notable victory came in the 2001 Daytona 500 after a 463-race winless streak to start his Cup career. Sadly, it was the same race where his then-car owner, Dale Earnhardt, was killed.

William Petersen, much like Waltrip, enjoyed moderate success through most of his career before hitting the lottery in the form of the runaway hit television show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, on which he plays Gil Grissom, the leader of a group of forensic scientists solving crimes in Las Vegas.

The pair have more in common than you may think.

1.

While Waltrip's first Cup start was in the 1985 Coca-Cola World 600 at Charlotte, his first top-five didn't come until more than three years later at the 1988 Miller High Life 500 at Pocono. He finished second that day, more than 8 seconds behind winner Geoffrey Bodine.

2.

Bodine's most-recent Cup start came at Dover in the 2004 MBNA America 400. He lasted just 40 laps in the event before oil pressure problems forced him off the track. Ryan Newman won in dominating fashion that afternoon, leading 325 of 400 laps.

3.

Newman's most recent Cup win happened more than a year ago in the 2005 Sylvania 300 at New Hampshire. He led 66 laps that day, which was far from the most as Tony Stewart was on the point for 173 circuits before finishing the race second. Stewart got the last laugh, however, as he went on to win the Nextel Cup championship.

4.

Just before that win, Stewart appeared on the Sept. 14, 2005 edition of The Late Show with David Letterman. Another guest on the show that night was powerhouse Hollywood actress Reese Witherspoon.

5.

Witherspoon appeared on the 32nd Annual People's Choice Awards earlier this year as a presenter. Another presenter on that telecast was Marg Helgenberger.

6.

Helgenberger plays Catherine Willows, a blood splatter analysis specialist on CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. One of her co-stars on the show is William Petersen.