NASCAR's newest addition to the team knows what it's like to race in a circle -- in fact, she was among the best in the world.

Leslie Maxie joined NASCAR's front office in January when she was named manager of communications for east regional media outreach, and despite knowing what it's like to make nothing but lefts, her journey to NASCAR has taken many twists and turns along the way.

“

I was done pretty early [at the Olympics] so I had a choice to make -- I could either sulk for the next two weeks or I can paint the town red and I decided that red was my color.

”

-- LESLIE MAXIE

At the age of 21 Maxie represented the United States in the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, South Korea, where she ran in the 400-meter hurdles. And while she admits "I didn't do well from an Olympic standard, I did well for me," the experience in Seoul was one that changed her perspective on life forever.

"It's funny, I never really thought of it as a big deal until I was several years removed from it," Maxie said. "[When you're there] you can't afford to look at it like it's special or different or exceptional because it sort of takes you out of the experience, so it has to be another day at the office. [But] there were moments where it really hit me, the impact hit me and I was like, 'Wow this is really cool.'

"I hate to be cliché, but one of those once in a lifetime experiences."

Among the highlights were the opening ceremonies, which Maxie describes as "very emotional," and a visit to the DMZ, the demilitarized zone that separates North and South Korea.

"I had the opportunity to visit the DMZ, where you can look and see as far as the eye I can see our 'enemy,'" Maxie said. "I can't say with all honesty that I had any working knowledge [about it]. I knew it existed, but it was so far removed from my experience I was like, 'whatever.'

"But when I saw it, it just really gave me a different appreciation for the sacrifice [soldiers] made for our country and it's always been very special to me to put on my country's colors. It means a lot to be able to represent my country but that just took it to a whole other level."

That's not to say her entire two weeks in Seoul was a somber experience -- this was the Olympics.

"I was very fortunate that I ran in the first couple of days," Maxie said. "I was done pretty early so I had a choice to make -- I could either sulk for the next two weeks or I can paint the town red and I decided that red was my color."

After finishing school at USC, Maxie had a few PR jobs in the sports world before making the switch to television. Maxie worked nationally for both FOX Sports and ESPN, including a stint as co-host on ESPN2's Cold Pizza. (Continued)