Clocks, guns and monsters characterize Victory Lane (cont'd)

NASCAR trophies have always had a special spot in Busch's heart.

"It could be a small $5 piece that somebody made or it could be an extravagant grandfather clock," he said. "But it's a special perk and a bonus because that is what most drivers shoot for, a piece of hardware at the end of the day. Nothing could ever replace the sentimental value we have for that first clock that we won because of the connection with my grandfather. I'm sure we could find a place for a second special trophy like that, though."

Of course, and I'm certain Martin Truex Jr., whose first Cup win was at Dover International Speedway in June 2007, wouldn't mind having twin 'monsters' at his home in North Carolina.

"I always wanted one of the monster trophies that the track gives to the winner. It's got to be the coolest trophy in sports," Truex said. "Just standing in Victory Lane with my dad, my friends and all the guys on the team after getting my first Cup victory was an incredible deal. After that, I got all the guys on the Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats team replica monster trophies that hold a small die-cast Bass Pro car just like the one that I got. It was cool to see the look on their faces when they got the trophies. You could see how much it meant to them. The whole experience of winning my first Cup race at Dover was mind-blowing."

No other trophy is quite as striking or rough around the edges as the monster Dover created in 2004, a 20-inch monster gripping a stock car in his right hand made of stone.

“

It's got to be the coolest trophy in sports.

”

MARTIN TRUEX JR., on the monster trophy at Dover

Dover is a physically challenging track so its moniker has become the Monster Mile. It's only fitting that the trophy incorporates monster likeness in its design.

A concrete sample was taken from the speedway and used as a model for creating the trophy, which is composed of sandstone and a granite-like material. The monster was then formed from a clay mold. After four months of revisions, repeated brushing, refinishing and hardening, the monster evolved into its final shape.

"The monster trophy has really become a great representation of our brand here in Dover," said Michael Tatoian, executive vice president of Dover Motorsports Inc. "As much as fans and drivers know us as Dover International Speedway, they know us at the Monster Mile. The trophy is one that is coveted, and certainly stands out from others."

By far, in no particular order, the monster, the cowboy flare and the clock are the most interesting and recognizable trophies on the Sprint Cup circuit. But what do other drivers have to say?

You might be surprised to hear some don't even care one bit about trophies while other can be pretty possessive over their treasures.

Mark Martin: "You know, I'm a real goof when it comes to stuff and memory and remembering things, but I will say this: The trophies become invisible when you see them very often. You get used to them and they don't ... you don't really see them anymore. I don't even see the trophies that much to be honest with you. They are in the museum in Arkansas."

Casey Mears: "They represent a great day in your life, like a picture can remind you of that day, so can a trophy. For me, my Lowe's Motor Speedway trophy represents something very special, but at the same time I can see where it is just a piece of hardware you walk by every day and forget about. But sometimes it grabs your attention, and you reflect on that day. Some people view it differently, but it's important to have."

Kyle Busch: "A trophy is a trophy. If you can win a race and take home a trophy, that is all that matters. I've won some races and taken home some pretty crappy trophies, but it don't matter to me -- I got 'em. So that's all that matters to me at my house -- as long as you can win the race that day, that's all that matters."

Bobby Labonte: "A funny story was winning the Bass Pro Shops/MBNA race in 2003 in Atlanta [the trophy is a huge fish coming out of the water]. I drove to Joe Gibbs Racing the next day and they had it in their trophy case and I backed my car up to the front door and had someone help me take it out of their trophy case and took it home and put it in my trophy case. I couldn't wait for the duplicate. They got the duplicate.

Kevin Harvick: "My favorite trophy has to be the one from the Daytona 500. I think it's a cool looking trophy, and then there's all the history that's associated with it, too. The combination of those two factors is what makes it my favorite. I'm a big fan of trophies that have stayed the same over the years. I think every track should have a unique and memorable trophy. If they don't, somebody is not doing their job. I also like the one we won for the Busch race at Michigan a few years ago with the fighting bears on it. One of those is sitting in the big conference room at Richard Childress Racing. The grandfather clock at Martinsville is pretty special, too, but the Daytona 500 is still my favorite."

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.