Ricky Bobby is a winner. Credit: Suzanne Hanover/S.M.P.S.P.

Q&A: Ricky Bobby

SHUQULAK, Miss. -- Almost 2,000 miles from Hollywood, Ricky Bobby is holed up at the Bee Hive Café trying to get a grasp on the boffo box-office numbers of the just-released Talladega Nights.

In the hinterlands of Noxubee County, Ricky Bobby is just another 'neck, proud to be red -- white and blue, too. And it was there, along Highway 21, that NASCAR.COM caught up with the Silver (Screen) Fox.

Ricky Bobby will go to any lengths. Credit: Suzanne Hanover/S.M.P.S.P.

NASCAR.COM: How does it compare, being recognized as a box-office success compared to a stock-car driver?

Ricky Bobby: I don't know how to put this, but I'm kind of a big deal. ... I'm very important. I have many leather-bound books. I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am.

NASCAR.COM: That's quite a litany of accomplishments.

Ricky Bobby: How many sarcastic pills did you take this morning?

NASCAR.COM: Apparently not enough. ... You just finished a test at Daytona in which you topped ...

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Ricky Bobby: You're so wise. You're like a miniature Buddha, covered with hair.

NASCAR.COM: You topped 217 mph.

Ricky Bobby: Yeah, thanks. Took the restrictor plate off to give the Red Dragon a little more juice. But it's not exactly street legal, so keep it on the down low.

NASCAR.COM: Is the adrenaline rush that much different between 190 and 217 mph?

Ricky Bobby: It's a formidable scent. ... It stings the nostrils. In a good way. ... I'm gonna be honest with you, that smells like pure gasoline.

NASCAR.COM: Changing subjects, you're scheduled to appear Thursday night on Larry King Live. Has anyone prepped you for your close-up?

Ricky Bobby: Recent research has shown that empirical evidence for globalization of corporate innovation is very limited and as a corollary the market for technologies is shrinking. As a world leader, it's important for America to provide systematic research grants for our scientists. I believe strongly there will always be a need for us to have a well-articulated innovation policy with emphasis on human resource development. Thank you.

NASCAR.COM: ... Umm yeah, moving on. Talladega Nights premiered this weekend. What were your thoughts on seeing your life story on the big screen?

Ricky Bobby is a showman. Credit: Suzanne Hanover/S.M.P.S.P.

Ricky Bobby: I don't get out to the movies that much, but Bluntman and Chronic was blunt-tastic.

NASCAR.COM: Did you have any technical input on the film -- locations, music selections?

Ricky Bobby [singing]: Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight / Gonna grab some afternoon delight / My motto's always been, "When it's right, it's right" / Why wait until the middle of a cold dark night?

NASCAR.COM: How are you handling the media requests?

Ricky Bobby: I love scotch. Scotchy, scotch, scotch. Here it goes down, down into my belly ...

NASCAR.COM: Other than an affinity for the bottle ...

Ricky Bobby: I'm gonna shoot you with a BB gun when you're not looking. Yep, back of the head.

NASCAR.COM: What, if anything, will distinguish you from the other corporate-managed drivers currently making a name for themselves in the series?

Ricky Bobby: I'm a cotton-headed ninny-muggins.

NASCAR.COM: OK ... do you think there should be a more diversified group of drivers?

Ricky Bobby: Well, I could be wrong, but I believe, uh, diversity is an old, old wooden ship that was used during the Civil War era.

Ricky Bobby's fire suit says all you need to know about Ricky Bobby. Credit: Suzanne Hanover/S.M.P.S.P.

NASCAR.COM: Is there ...

Ricky Bobby: Look, the most glorious rainbow ever.

NASCAR.COM: Is there anything ...

Ricky Bobby [picking his teeth]: Ribs. I had ribs for lunch, that's why I'm doing this.

NASCAR.COM: Is there anything that separates you from a Tony Stewart or a Jimmie Johnson?

Ricky Bobby: Put the monkey down and your hands up. Let's go, misters. Do you want to get shot? I didn't think so.

NASCAR.COM: In light of Talladega Nights, how do you think fans will remember Ricky Bobby?

Ricky Bobby: All we are is dust in the wind ...