Like most race car drivers, Max Papis is passionate about what he does.

But that extends to many areas of his life, beyond racing. He talked recently about making an 82-mile bicycle ride to Bristol Motor Speedway and why he loves the sport of cycling so much. Currently a competitor at least on a part-time basis in both the Camping World Truck Series and the Sprint Cup Series, Papis explained his fondness for the slower form of transportation.

Q: Simple question. Why so serious about cycling?

Papis: I'm an avid cyclist. Training has always been part of my lifestyle. Whenever I can, I'm on a bike or in the gym working out, doing some exercise or whatever I can. Because I feel like my body is like my engine. The guys work on the car really hard and I need to work on my body to make sure I'm fit for the races, as well.

Q: What led to your recent decision to bike to Bristol?

Papis: A bunch of guys in the garage were talking like, wow, did you hear that a couple of years ago [crew chief] Doug Randolph cycled to Bristol? I talked to Doug the week before and asked if the guys were going to Bristol this year. He said, 'Yes.' We met at 8 a.m. at the Germain Racing shop, drove to Morganton [N.C.] and took off from there. We rode through the Appalachian Mountains. It was a beautiful ride and I enjoyed every second of it. We rode for 82 miles all the way to Bristol Motor Speedway.

In one way it was actually funny because my wife told me, 'Dale Jr. and Kyle Busch, they went to Bristol in their helicopters; Scott Speed drove his 4Runner; Max Papis rode his bicycle.' A different way to see life, I guess.

Q: And which way do you think is the best?

Papis: I can't talk about them. I can only talk about me. I just enjoyed so much the nature and watching the cows and animals through the Appalachian Mountains. We even did about half a mile of dirt road. It was just an adventure and it reminded me of how fortunate I am to be able to do my job. I mean, without racing I would never even have known where Bristol was. (Continued)