Offseason agendas varied among drivers in garage

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- From the last day of racing on Nov. 18 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to the first of day of testing in Daytona last week, NASCAR drivers had exactly 60 days to pretty much do whatever they pleased before returning to the rigorous grind of the 2008 season.

Several drivers chose extreme winter sports and hunting trips, while others, in true do-it-yourselfer fashion, worked on home improvement projects.

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Although, a handful of drivers just couldn't leave well enough alone -- they took work home with them.

Like a mail carrier taking a walk on his day off, Tony Stewart and Kasey Kahne raced in the country's most popular indoor midget race, the Chili Bowl, in Oklahoma. Jamie McMurray raced go-karts in Daytona. And Dale Earnhardt Jr. tried his hand Down Under, racing V8 Supercars in Australia while vacationing with friends.

But Earnhardt's real business in Queensland became apparent when Aussie V8 Supercar racer Owen Kelly showed up to Monday's test session at Daytona International Speedway.

The Tasmania native signed a deal with Earnhardt to run a series of Late Model races for JR Motorsports. Kelly, a 30-year-old son of a racer, started his circuit racing career in Formula Ford for three seasons, progressing to V8 Supercars in 2000. From there he has raced in Super Touring, V8 Supercars and a handful of Late Model races in North Carolina.

A friend of NASCAR driver and fellow Aussie Marcos Ambrose, Kelly and Earnhardt spent time together at the V8 Super School, which Ambrose co-owns with Australian V8 Supercar driver Paul Morris. Morris and Kelly both were at Daytona this week observing the test sessions.

For drivers like Earnhardt, especially those with their own race teams and shops, there is no such thing as an offseason.

Others disagree and can't wait to enjoy the comforts of home, far away from the grit and grime of a race shop. Toyota driver and past champion Dale Jarrett is one of those.

"My daughter had basketball tournaments I went to and I golfed a bit; shot between 70 and 80," he said. "I really enjoyed myself."

Also on home detail during the offseason was Sam Hornish Jr., open-wheeler turned Sprint Cup driver at Penske Racing. He and wife Crystal are anticipating the birth of their first child, a baby girl to be named Addison. She is due on Feb. 10.

"We had to get everything done, the nursery put together, before the season starts and hopefully we'll get the baby before the season starts," Hornish laughed. "We are eagerly awaiting her arrival." (Continued)