3 media center memory was of Juan Pablo Montoya

7 media center memory was the time I got to spend with the Mattioli family, who own and operate Pocono Raceway as their family business.I was afforded the privilege of interviewing many of the Mattioli family members, from the matriarch Dr. Rose Mattiolito several of the children and grandchildren who are carrying on the track traditions.The family, pictured above as they launch the track's new green initiatives, are some of the most kind, welcoming people that I have ever met.It's no wonder that all the fans and media who come to Pocono feel like they are attending a big Mattioli family party when the come to the race track.I know I did! My No. 6 media center memory was having the privilege of being there for Denny Hamlin's emotional win at Pocono Raceway.Hamlin had just lost his grandmother and had dedicated the race to her memory.When he came into the media center for his victory interview, he was so overcome with emotion that he could barely speak through his tears.There was not one person in the media center who was not moved and deeply touched by his expression of his feelings for his grandmother.Many of us, including myself, were writing our stories about the race through some tears of our own.. For many years, I have had the privilege of knowing Andy Santerre, four-time champion of the Camping World Series East.After leaving the seat of the race car, Santerre formed his own team and crew chiefed the car as well.This season, Santerre was working with an up-and-coming driver Brett Moffitt.Because of sponsorship woes, the Dover race was the last race for Santerre as a team owner, as well as for Moffitt as a driver.My Top Five media center moment was being able to be a part of this story-book ending, where Santerre and Moffitt won the race.This was my first time to experience Victory Lane with someone that I have known and admired, and there was truly nothing sweeter than seeing and experiencing the joy of victory with them. My No. 4 media center memory was also at Dover International Speedway, where Ryan Truex, younger brother of Martin Truex, Jr., became the youngest driver ever to win the Camping World East Series Championship.When Ryan came into the media center for his championship interview, many of the media had already left for the evening.But there was one very proud person, big brother Martin, who was sitting in the audience watching his baby brother with great pride as he was interviewed as champion.That was one of the most special moments that I experienced in the media centerthat true sense of pride and happiness, from one brother to another. My No. 3 media center memory was of Juan Pablo Montoya.Pictured in the slide is Montoya being interviewed after the race at Dover.But the best memory of Montoya came much later in the media center, when again, most of the media had already turned in for the night.Montoya came back in, dressed in jeans and a hoodie, to do a live talk show with his fans back in his home country of Columbia.I sat right next to him as he chatted with his fans, laughed, and told stories, all in Spanish.With my college minor in Spanish, I was able to follow along for most of the discussion and at the end, even got to practice speaking a bit in Spanish to JPM and his staff.This truly was one of my highlight memories, seeing Juan Pablo Montoya in an entirely different light.. My second most favorite memory from the media center also occurred at Dover International Speedway, and it was of Jeff Gordon's daughter, Ella.I had decided to follow Gordon from practice, qualifying, and throughout the race, as he had set some specific goals for himself and his team.So, in addition to being in the media center, I also set up camp on the hill behind Gordon's pit box to take in all of that action.During the pre-race activities, Gordon was joined by his beautiful wife, Ingrid, and his cutie pie daughter, Ella.When it was time for the race, however, Ingrid was trying to get Ella to go with one of the staff back to the motor home while Ingrid watched the race from the pit box.Ella was having none of it and was very unhappy as she was carried up the steps from the track.I watched as she cried and tried to wriggle out of the arms of the person carrying her.But as soon as Ella got into the golf cart, she immediately went from her very grumpy face to complete happiness.She sat in the lap of the staff person in the driver's seat, took the wheel and "drove" that golf cart right back to the motor home.And she had the biggest smile on her face as she drove off, making that my next to the favorite media center memory, knowing that just maybe I had witnessed another female race car driver in the making. My No.

Both were interviewed extensively at the front of the room, while I continued to work in the back of the media center on my Gordon story.As Johnson was headed out with his giant bottle of champagne, he stopped beside me and one other person who was also furiously typing away on his computer.Johnson cleared his throat, but both of us remained preoccupied with our own stories, thoroughly engrossed in our own work.Johnson continued to stand next to me and then said, "Hi guys."Both of us kept working away and said quick hello's back to Johnson.But the champion and race winner just wanted a bit more acknowledgment, or so it seemed, and he said, "You know, I won the race."Realizing that Johnson really did want to at least be recognized for his accomplishment, I finally looked up from my work, as did the other writer, to congratulate the race winner.After getting our attention and our accolades, Johnson finally seemed satisfied and off he went to continue his celebration.But it really drove home to me the vulnerability of one of NASCAR's elite drivers and that we all just need to be acknowledged and recognized for our victories, even if your name is Jimmie Johnson.That most "human" moment, seeing Johnson as a real person who wanted recognition just like all of us do, was truly my most treasured memory from the media center.. Adam Schefter of ESPN is reporting that the Arizona Cardinals could trade wide receiver Anquan Boldin after the end of the 2009 offseason. According to theredzone , the Ravens could be interested.Boldin has been looking for a new contract for over two years, but the Cardinals have held their ground and have not granted Boldin a new deal. Steve Breaston, the Cardinals third receiver, has shown promise, and would step up into a larger role.The Ravens have long been looking for a star wide receiver, in fact, in the short history of the Baltimore Ravens, they have never had "the guy" who can make huge plays. The Ravens thought they got the guy in 2002, when they traded for Terrell Owens. After a world class tantrum, Owens never wore a Ravens uniform.

This article is also featured on Reservation For Six. I was really quite proud of myself. I didn't get angry; I didn't throw a remote, kick a table, or even punch a pillow. Gotta ask, though: Who expected us to move the ball at all without Michael Turner and Matt RyanAnyway, here's to me swallowing my pride for another Sunday and understanding that there are things in life other than the Falcons ending the drought and earning a second consecutive winning season. Because, see, I'm not holding out hope as we travel (we're 1-5 on the road this year) to a defensive powerhouse (you saw how we did against the Eagles, right).Besides, the Jets are on a three-game win streak, making them the sizzle to our..."room temperature"Hey, I'm tryin' here. New York Rush Offense v. Atlanta Rush DefenseI wonder, what will the Jets will try against us They're only the No.