For team transport driver Jeff Seaberg, hard work has never been a deterrent. Seaberg has been around motorsports for a long time, having driven with Evernham Motorsports when he took his first job on a race team, in 2001. After the renamed team moved from Statesville, N.C., Seaberg took a position with the relatively new Michael Waltrip Racing. Seaberg drives the No. 00 transporter, ensuring his team driver, David Reutimann, and the crew have all the equipment they need for a successful weekend at the racetrack.

“Joining this new team I’ve reunited with one of my old crew chiefs, Rodney Childers, who actually asked me to come over here,” says Seaberg of his move. “We actually have a few guys from previous crews here as well, so it is like a family reunion.”

With close to 10 years as a team transport driver, Seaberg has become a familiar face at each NASCAR race weekend. His weekend responsibilities include those that all transport drivers are expected to do: prepare his hauler for the weekend, drive safely to the track, assist in preparation for the weekend and more. He will coordinate with his team crew chief to ensure he and his team’s secondary driver have the hauler at the track on time and in place for when his team arrives.

Seaberg is one of the team’s seven over-the-wall crew, serving as the catch-can man. These are the crewmen who service Reutimann’s car during the race, change four tires, fill the gas tank and make adjustments to the car to help performance, all in about 15 seconds. Seaberg will hold a small rectangular gas can with an attached metal “tongue” to open an air pocket as fuel is poured into the racecar. The catch-can man’s job is to ensure the flow of fuel into the car is quick and any overflow is caught. Seaberg will also hold the 100-plus-pounds gas can in place while the gasman returns to the walls to get a new can.

At Evernham Motorsport and Michael Waltrip Racing, Seaberg has been part of teams looking to introduce new car manufacturers into NASCAR. With Evernham, the team was bringing Dodge back into racing after a lengthy absence; Michael Waltrip Racing led the Toyota induction to NASCAR.

“The biggest difference between the startup back at Evernham Motorsports and at Michael Waltrip Racing was back then, it was a bunch of guys who had an idea about how to bring Dodge back in,” explains Seaberg. “One person pretty much was over everything. At Michael Waltrip Racing, Toyota Racing Development, or TRD, is very engineer-based so it isn’t a matter of having one person making the decision, rather, different departments work together. There is the competition side, the logistics side and the shop side, so it is completely different. By having a number of different departments, there are a lot of different ideas shared, bringing out a really unique situation. A lot of information is shared at every level.”

Seaberg values his job, particularly as many teams faced cutbacks during a tough economic time. “As the economy tightens up, the responsibilities on everybody seem to be multiplying,” explains Seaberg. “It’s no longer that a team has a guy who drives the truck and maybe cooks the meals. Now it’s that plus everything he can help the team do. It’s become a deal where the more you have to offer the better chance you have longevity-wise of staying in the sport. There is pressure on us to keep our jobs due to the cuts we’ve seen over the past few years.”

Seaberg adds, “I have some really good friends who are sitting unemployed right now. As sponsorship dollars went away, a lot of teams were getting rid of test truck drivers, which meant the primary and secondary truck drivers needed to do a lot more. So that means even less time at home, less time with family and less time to be prepared for the next event. Your time is shorter; you’re under pressure to perform and you still need to get the job done beyond the expectations that are in front of you.”

When he does get time off, Seaberg has never been one to stay still for long. As a transportation specialist in the military before joining the NASCAR circuit, Seaberg was behind the wheel of numerous vehicles. Today, he stills drives trucks, rides motorbikes and enjoys just about anything with a gas pedal and a steering wheel. He also ventures to the sky in his Cessna 172. The four-seater aircraft is perfect for him and his wife, Laurie, to visit their favorite places along the East Coast. Seaberg is also an avid skydiver.

Always looking for a new adventure, Seaberg has found yet another hobby. “I’ve now ventured into the wonderful world of helicopters,” he says. “A friend of mine is a helicopter pilot for a medivac company and he one day convinced me I should really try this. So I went for one lesson and now a year or so later I’m working on my flight instructor’s certification in a helicopter.”

As a recent newlywed, Seaberg also found time to build a new home for himself and his wife. “We just completed our new house in Mooresville, N.C., and it turned out just the way we wanted to. It was worth every questioning moment in your life when you are trying to decide what is the right thing to do. From deciding on the design, the right color, the right tile … as all of that came together it was a blessing. The house was finished in April and we had our wedding there in July so it was all perfect.”

NASCAR team crewmembers come and go quite frequently, but Seaberg has been around long enough to be considered a mainstay. The high demands and constant travel do not appeal to many rookies who try their hand on a race team. “The challenge keeps me in this industry,” says Seaberg of his tenure. “The biggest challenge for me at the moment is to keep the hands of time tied back. I’m 44 this year and going over the wall with a bunch of 20-year-olds. That’s actually pretty cool to me. They look to me and my experience to give them a little leadership so I’m very proud to be part of that group.

“I look in the stands every time I’m at a track and see people who want to be where I am. They look at me and see a pork chop running around the garage or in the pits. There are a lot of people out there that would kill to be in my position, so Lord willing, I can stay fit and healthy and be around for a lot longer.”

Team player

Roush Fenway Racing’s Keith Smith, transport driver for the No. 17 Crown Royal team, appreciates his position with the team and the importance of his job. “I’ve been blessed,” says Smith. “The lord has taken care of me and put me in this position. I like to take care of those guys because they take care of me.”

In his fifth seasons with Roush Fenway, Smith has become a valued member of the team. The highs and lows of racing have gotten into his blood. Explains Smith, “I love the adrenaline that comes with the sport and of course winning as well. There are no words that can describe what it is like when your blood is pumping or your team has won.”

Winning doesn’t happen every weekend for race teams. Smith describes how the roller coaster ride of racing team success keeps him working even harder, “When you are not winning or doing so well, it makes you appreciate the good times. Last year we had a rough time and things were not going so well. Then at the end of the year things started coming together. We got a new crew chief this year and now we are running up front just like we used to be.”

As one of the veterans on the No. 17 team, Smith wears many hats. In addition to making sure the hauler is fully stocked, maintaining inventories and feeding the team, Smith also plays the role of mentor. “I’m these guys’ counselor, their best friend and sometimes their worst enemy when they do something wrong. I’m the guy that goes around and builds them up when we’ve not performed as well as expected. I’m older than all of the guys on the team so they look to me sometimes for advice.”

From coal to NASCAR

Smith has not always been around racing and has fond memories of his previous work. “I drove a coal truck in West Virginia for 15 years,” says Smith. “I was hauling coal up and down the turnpike in Charleston. Everything up there when you are doing that is moved by truck. It’s taken to docks, put on barges and vessels and taken away. I just got a job driving coal trucks, kept a good record … it was a good job, it’s still a good job.”

Smith’s affiliation with racing happened by chance. He explains, “My brothers actually got me into racing. One was into drag racing and so I just started going with him. My other brother, he got into NASCAR as a fan. A good friend of mine from West Virginia got a job as a back up driver for Roush and got me involved doing a little driving. He got down here and started working some more and when he left, Robbie Reiser called me up and put me on the team.”

Life on the road

As with many professional truck drivers, being on the road and away from family is part of life. He says, “Both of my daughters, Melissa and Carla, have been through college and they are both doing very well. One of them is married now. My wife [Gaila] stays at the house and takes care of everything…As I’m blessed to have this great job she doesn’t have to work.

Smith continues, “They miss me when I’m on the road but they like what I do. It’s funny, but when a race is over, that’s when we get really busy. We either have to tear down or put everything back together. My mom always leaves me a message on the phone after every race telling me she prayed for us, hoped I had a good time and be careful going home.”

Foot in the door

NASCAR team transport drivers are often bombarded with the same question, “How do I get a job like that?” Smith has some words of advice for those who are trying to break into the sport. He says, “A lot of people ask me when I’m going up and down the road, ‘Keith, how in the world did you get this job?’ That’s the number one question that the professional truck drivers always ask. The thing that I see people do when they try to get a job with a team is they give up. They send in one resume and that’s it. You can’t do that. They have to understand there are another hundred guys who are out there wanting to do the same thing you are doing. Perseverance is what gets you to the top.”

Smith continues,“I have a lot of respect for the professional truck driver we all see on the road. I can never do that. Those guys really work hard. My truck might be shinier then theirs and I get to be home a little more often, but those guys are the real hard workers. Most of the drivers I talk to on the road are really nice guys. They have families they are trying to provide for and they’ve been on the road for 14 days. They don’t get to go home after every race like I do. I respect them a lot, I really do.”

As well respected and generous as Smith is, both among his teammates and in the race garage, don’t expect him to give up the keys to the No. 17 hauler any time soon. “If I wasn’t doing this I’d be back in West Virginia driving a truck,” Smith explains. “I love being with the team. I love this job and all that it requires and don’t have any plans for moving just yet. There is a lot involved, but I consider myself very blessed to be driving that shiny truck. Chrome is my favorite color.”

The Yuengling brewery has been family-owned and -operated since 1829, when founder David G. Yuengling immigrated from Wurttemberg, Germany, to settle in Pottsville, Pa. Today, Dick Yuengling, the president and owner, has built the brewery to a point beyond his own expectations. As Dick, now in his late 60s, ponders retirement, the family business may be headed to a new generation of Yuengling.

David Yuengling arrived in Pottsville not looking for coal in the hills of the mining town. Rather, he sought the water from the hills surrounding the town. “He purposely chose this location and people look at it now and say ‘Why would you want to build a brewery?’” explains Jennifer Yuengling, the sixth-generation Yuengling to work at the brewery. Jennifer works as the shipping manager out of the Pottsville location and has had numerous roles in learning the ins and outs of the brewery. “But he did have a purpose. It was the water. It is a very soft water that is excellent for brewing. He built the brewery into the side of the mountain and he and his workers dug tunnels into the mountain to access the water supply and also to use as refrigeration. Obviously it is ideal for us now, five or six generations later. And here we are today.”

After just two years of operation David’s brewery would suffer a setback when the original brewery was burned to the ground. A new location was sought and the new brewery, which is still operational today, was built on Mahantongo Street.

Name changes were also part of the company’s early establishment phase; the original name was Eagle Brewery. David’s son Frederick joined his father at the brewery in 1873 and the company was renamed to D. G. Yuengling & Son, the same name the brewery is known by today.

Frederick would bring his family’s brewery into the modern era with the inclusion of a bottling line. Expansion into New York and British Columbia did not prove successful, as additional breweries in these locations did not prove fruitful and would eventually close.

When Frederick died, his son Frank took control of the brewery and would remain in the position for 63 years. It would be Frank’s initiatives that would ensure the company would survive through the Prohibition era of the early 1900s. “Near beers,” including Yuengling Special, Yuengling Por-Tor and Yuengling Juvo, took the place of the company’s regular products. Frank also expanded the Yuengling operation to include Yuengling Dairy, which sold ice cream in Pottsville and surrounding areas.

The family brewery survived a difficult early 1900s and outlasted Prohibition. When brewing companies were once again permitted to get back to normal business, Frank continued the fight to rebuild the Yuengling brewery until his death in 1963. His sons Richard Sr. and Dohrman took the reins, maintaining its status as a small family brewery.

Dick Yuengling was no stranger to the beer business when he bought the company from his ailing father (Richard Sr.) in 1985. He had first worked at the brewery as a teenager when his grandfather was still president. He received no encouragement from family members to consider a career in the family business so opted to buy his own wholesale beer business in Pottsville. On his return to the brewery, Dick implemented strategies to bring D.G. Yuengling and Sons out of financial difficulties and make the company more competitive in the marketplace.

The Modern Era

The brewery output, under Dick’s guidance and leadership, has grown from producing 127,000 barrels of beer a year to more than 2 million in 2009. “It’s not just myself who has done this,” says Dick of the company’s expansion. “There were other generations that made this happen and they served us proud.”

Through the 1990s, as turnout grew and grew, the brewery looked to accommodate its expansion. A large investment was made in 1998 to build a second brewery in Pottsville. A third location was bought in 1999 when the Stroh brewery closed its doors. Despite critics who suggested the purchase was too bold, Dick bought the Tempa, Fla., facility to accommodate the additional demand while his new Mill Creek brewery was under construction.

Today, the three locations are again reaching production capacity. “We were just really landlocked in our original Pottsville location,” explains Jennifer. “That location was to put out about 300,000 to 400,000 barrels a year. At that point we were making around 700,000 barrels a year. We are really landlocked [in Pottsville] as we did everything out of this one small location, bringing products in and out, glass, distribution and we had to find room to grow.

“You think back in the early ’80s or ’90s, my dad was literally pulling his hair out with angry distributors asking ‘Where’s my beer?’ We had difficulties filling all of the orders. It is a great problem to have.

“My dad made the decision to purchase Tempa so that plant could produce about 1 million barrels a year,” continues Jennifer. “They are slowly getting up to full capacity. They starting packaging beer down there for us and started shipping it up this way for us, which opened up some new issues for us such as additional shipping cost. So we opened up some Southeast markets to maximize Tempa capacity, and at the same time the decision had been made to build our new facility in Pottsville. Until that was up and running we had Pottsville and Tempa working hand in hand. When Mill Creek came online it took a lot of the load from our Mahantongo Street plant.”

As the family brewery grew and started to make headway into the Eastern markets, it began to draw attention from its much bigger and more dominant competitors. While larger brewing companies have gone through significant corporate changes, D.G. Yuengling has flourished over the years while maintaining its family business-based values.

In recent years Anheiser Busch has been purchased by Belgian company InBev, and Miller Brewery Co. and Coors Brewing Co. have merged and are also owned by foreign investors. While these may seem to be prosperous ventures, Jennifer is not thrilled to see established companies make significant changes in the name of survival.

“Budweiser is not too big to be our competition,” explains Jennifer. “They don’t particularly like us and want us to go away. When they were bought by an overseas company, we looked at it as not a good thing for our company but the opposite. We felt it was sad that another American-owned company ended up selling out and became foreign-owned. Maybe it is good for us now but ultimately it doesn’t say much for America and the economy. We were sad to see that happen.”

Jennifer, a graduate of brewing college who has been working for her father for 14 years, explains the appeal of the beer business and those the company competes with. “I like the beer industry as a whole,” she says. “I’ve become involved with different associations and overall they are good people. Beer people are willing to help each other out. They help each other out of issues; they are willing to share their resources, especially the smaller ones. We have a small brewery just north of us called the Lion Brewery. If they get into problems, if they run out of materials or they have a part that breaks, they’ll call and ask, ‘Hey, do you have a spare whatever?’ and we’ll say, ‘Yeah, come on down.’ It is a nice tradeoff. It’s a friendly environment on the level we deal with it. When you get into the corporate environment it is certainly different.”

The New Breed

David, Frederick, Frank, Richard Sr. and Dick Yuengling have all prospered and enjoyed the father-to-son company relationship through more than 180 years of brewing. Now, the sixth generation is well into its brewery education so that one day, when Dick is ready to step away, the family legacy will continue.

However, the sixth generation of Yuengling looks a little different than those that preceded them. Jennifer and her three sisters, Wendy, Debbie and Sheryl, have all worked in the brewery at some stage (only Jennifer and Wendy are actively employed now).

Jennifer seems far from eager to not be by her father’s side at D.G. Yuengling. “I hope it’s not for a while yet,” says Jennifer of her father’s retirement. “I very much want my dad to remain a part of this business. He is very good at what he does. He is very smart and he is very sharp. I think he has a lot of information to pass on to the next generation. I don’t feel as any of us are fully prepared at this point. We [daughters] are still in a learning stage. I still consider myself as a novice. I want him to stick around for a while yet.”

Dick has more to offer than his vast brewing knowledge. “I think the main thing I’ve learned from him is a powerful work ethic,” continues Jennifer. “I’ve seen that from him since I was a child. Even when I was growing up, he wasn’t involved in the brewery but had a beer distributorship and worked as a wholesaler. I see his routine unchanged since then. He would get up, he worked all day, [he would] take a break and then go back to work in the evening and double-check to make sure everything was as it should be. So he has a strong work ethic; he’s hands-on. He would not ask anybody to do anything that he would not do himself.”

Dick intends to prepare his daughters for the day they run the company. “I would like them to first find out what it is like to be the boss and handle that properly,” explains Dick. “We have an excellent group of people working for us, both hourly people that work in the plant, our labor force and our sales reps and office people. We have a tremendous group of people that work for us. I want [my daughters] to appreciate what they do, how they have grown the company, and continue to grow at a modest rate, just as I have grown the company.

“We are a small entity in the beer business and I don’t want [my daughters] to forget that. Our game is to expand our adjacent markets and build a reputation.”

The Yuengling brewery stands proudly behind its line of beer. From the Yuengling Traditional Lager, the flagship brand, to the classic Yuengling Lord Chesterfield Ale, brewed since 1829, Yuengling products have grown in stature in their 13 market states. With proud traditions and a family vibe, the Yuengling brewery will continue to build on its title as American’s oldest brewery.

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Brees has earned his way to the top of the quarterback ranks. New Orleans Saints wide receiver Marques Colston would be one of the first to testify to Brees’ skill with the football. “Even if I am covered, he has the ability to throw me,” says Colston. “There’s never a play where I don’t think I’m going to get the ball.” Colston would know better than most, as Brees has connected with his wide receiver for more than 30 touchdowns from 285 receptions in his four-year career.

An analysis of Brees’ career shows for certain the 31-year-old has a lot of fight in him. From battling against the odds for positions to recovery from injury, Brees has shown on numerous occasions he does not give up easily. The courageous career of Brees combined with the enriched attitude of the New Orleans Saints has NFL fans turning in favor of the Louisiana team.

Before signing with the New Orleans Saints, Brees endured numerous hurdles during the first five years of his NFL career. This differed from a standout college career at Purdue University, where the star student held records in passing, completions and total offensive yards. Brees won numerous awards, including the Big Ten Football MVP (2000) and the Maxwell Award (2000), voted by members of the press for the best college football player for the year.

Brees also ranked twice in the top five votes for the Heisman Trophy, and in 2001 he led the Purdue Boilermakers in the Rose Bowl against the Washington Huskies. Although Purdue lost the game 34-24, it was an outstanding achievement for Brees and the Boilermakers as their participation in the game came after an absence of more than 30 years. Also on the team with Brees was future two-time Super Bowl offensive tackle Brandon Gorin.

Upon graduation from Purdue University with a degree in industrial management, Brees turned to the 2001 NFL draft looking to further his football career. The star-studded choices that year included quarterback Michael Vick, first-round pick No. 1 by Atlanta Falcons, and running back LaDainian Tomlinson, picked fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers.

Brees defied several critics who questioned his strength and size as a viable quarterback choice. He joined Tomlinson at the Chargers after the team selected him in the second round, first pick. His first season in the NFL was mostly spent on the sideline as backup to starting quarterback Doug Flutie. The Chargers signed Flutie from the Buffalo Bills. The San Diego team was looking to rebuild its offensive leadership after very poor seasons with college flop Ryan Leaf as the starting quarterback. Although their 2001 season finished with a 5-11 win-loss record, the Chargers had bettered their record from 1-15 from the previous season and were hopeful of continued improvement in their future.

The 2002 season would be Brees’ first in the NFL spotlight. Impressive performances during the pre-season would win him the starting quarterback position over Flutie. With Brees at the helm, the Chargers were steered to their first season without a losing record since 1999, with an 8-8 record. Their victories included a 27-21 win over the AFC champions for the season, the Oakland Raiders. Brees finished the season with average results, a 76.9 passing rating, throwing for a total of 3,284 yards and just 17 touchdowns.

Brees’ season did not impress and the seesawing quarterback position at the Chargers fell back to Flutie for 2003. An injury to Flutie put Brees back into control, however, more obstacles faced Brees’ desire to secure the starting position when the Chargers signed impressive North Carolina State University slinger Phillip Rivers in the 2004 NFL draft. Brees equaled the challenge and posted a stellar 2004 season with a rating of 104.8, including 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions for the season. The Chargers finished the season with 12 wins and four losses and the AFC West title. Brees won the NFL comeback player of the year award and his success would sideline Rivers as backup quarterback for the 2005 season and cement Brees’ position as starting quarterback.

An injury to Brees’ shoulder in the final game of the 2005 season put doubt in the minds of the Chargers management which led to contract disputes. Brees, with belief in his ability and recovery, sought to move teams and was welcomed with open arms at the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints had faced their own massive stumbling blocks during preparations for the 2005 season when disaster hit in August of that year. Hurricane Katrina had crept its way from the Bahamas to New Orleans, sending the city scrambling as it prepared for its arrival. The devastating effects all but destroyed the city and questions on the possible rebuilding of New Orleans started to rise. Damage was estimated in the billions of dollars, and more than 1,000 residents lost their lives. The city known for its jazz music, Mardi Gras and, of course, the Saints faced multiple hurdles on the road to restructure.

The Saints had prepared for a promising 2005 season coming from consecutive winning seasons the previous two years. After Katrina hit, their season was immediately rescheduled to the Louisiana Superdome, the Saints’ home field.

The Superdome was used as a shelter for those evacuating their homes as Hurricane Katrina approached the Louisiana coastline. Approximately 20,000 refugees crammed into the facility, which became a temporary home for those seeking shelter. The Superdome also received extensive damage from the hurricane, requiring renovations costing more than $300 million.

The New Orleans Saints restructured their 2005 season with their first scheduled home game, a loss to the New York Giants (27-10), being played at Giants Stadium. The remaining season’s home games were played in San Antonia, Texas, or Baton Rouge, La. The season was not successful for the Saints. When the season ended with a 3-13 win-loss record, head coach Jim Haslett was removed from his position and struggling quarterback Aaron Brooks was not re-signed for the following season.

Joining Brees at the Saints for the 2006 season was new head coach Sean Payton. The team had also acquired star running back and Heisman trophy recipient Reggie Bush as well as future Pro Bowler offensive guard Jahri Evans, bringing even more strength to the Saints.

The effort to turn around their previous season’s poor results saw immediate success. As well as returning to the renovated Superdome, the Saints recorded a 10-6 season, winning the NFC South title and making the NFL playoffs. “A lot of us you might call castoffs or castaways a little bit because we were either traded here or got here because we didn’t have too many other options,” Brees commented in an interview on the restructure of the Saints. “We were able to do that [turn things around post-Katrina] as an organization, as a team, all of us individually, as a city and all kind of rebuilding together and all kind of learning together.”

Brees made an impressive season debut with New Orleans and continued improving over the next two seasons. His 2008 season would be his best in the NFL, passing for 5,062 yards, only the second player in NFL history to pass for more than 5,000 yards in a season, and finishing just 15 yards shy of Dan Marion’s record of total passing yards in one season. Brees was also named NFL Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press.

Coach Payton commented recently on the team’s growth and success during his four years at the helm. “I think you’re always hoping to bat a decent percentage,” said Payton. “You’re never going to be perfect, but slowly, outside of even the first-round picks, the high-profile free agents, it’s just trying to find football players like a Mike Bell or a Pierre Thomas or a Darren Sharper. We can go on and on about your later round selections, Jahri Evans, Carl Nicks, the acquisitions of our linebackers that first year, bringing in Scott Fujita and [Scott] Shanle, [Jonathan] Vilma. It’s a slow process. I think our scouting department of Ryan Pace and his group have done a great job of gathering the information and having strong opinions about the players they like. … That vision is clear in what we’re looking for. There’s a number of people that go into those decisions and it’s been positive.”

Payton also has plenty of compliments for his quarterback. Brees “makes good decisions. I think the one thing that you get with this player is he’s so thorough in his work week and how he approaches a game. His ability to decide and deliver is fast. When you have that, you end up taking less sacks. He’s very accurate with the football and he does a good job in the pocket avoiding to prolong a play and most often avoiding the (bad) throw. I think sometimes people confuse his height with athleticism. He’s an extremely gifted athlete and all that rubs off on his peers. [It] certainly rubs off on us as coaches. His work week is amazing.”

During the 2009 season, Brees continued on his successful route, as did the New Orleans Saints. The Saints finished the regular season with a 13-3 win-loss record, winning the NFC South title. Brees showed his maturity and leadership matches any top quarterback in the NFL, claiming notable admiration from not only his team but some of the game’s top coaches.

Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith commented on Brees and the Saints prior to the two teams meeting during the season. “[The New Orleans Saints have] got a lot of weapons and it starts with Drew,” commented Smith. “Drew’s throwing the ball so effectively, he’s in such a good rhythm with all of his wide receivers. To see some of the throws that they’ve been able to make this season is unbelievable. He’s the guy that directs that offense, but they have so many weapons, not only at the receiving position, meaning the tight end and the wide receivers, but their running game has been very good.”

New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick also commented on Brees and his recent success during the past seasons. “He’s a great football player,” Belichick said. “He’s done a tremendous job down there for New Orleans. The last three years, he has more attempts, completions, touchdowns, more yardage than anybody else in football, so I don’t think there’s too many people you can put ahead of him. He’s done an awful lot and he’s won a lot of games. He’s a top quality quarterback.”

The battling spirit of the New Orleans Saints and Brees has earned them the respect of the NFL community. And fans of the team have acknowledged the team’s success and that of Brees. “Brees-us” signs and T-shirts have started to appear at home games and while Brees’ modesty does not allow him to be the savior at New Orleans, he is ready to do all he can to bring the fans the holy grail. “It’s a little sacrilegious,” Brees commented on the sign in a recent interview. “I guess that might be a little far – going a little far. Just the fact that it’s a sign of affection and that people respect you and maybe what you stand for – so in that case, it’s an honor for people to think that way about you.”

These and numerous other similar actions by fans during home games are recognized by Brees and his teammates as signs of support for the success the team brought to the embattled city. “The connection that we have with our fans is unlike any other in the league, just because of what’s happened here the last five years and what we’ve all been through together,” commented Brees on the support of Saints’ fans. “I don’t know how many guys, but there’s quite a few guys that were here during the Katrina year that got displaced to San Antonio and were playing home games all over the place. I signed here six months later post-Katrina as a free agent, as did a majority of the guys in the locker room, and we all kind of were part of that rebuilding, not only of this organization, but for a lot of us, our careers.”

As Brees wraps up another NFL year, this season many heads have turned in his direction. The turnaround for the Saints and Brees has been remarkable and football may yet have more to enjoy for the surging Saints. “I’m a firm believer everything happens for a reason,” says Brees. “Sometimes you have to go through that adversity and have it happen to you, some of that heartbreak, in order for you to gain that edge and that mental toughness in order to allow you that opportunity of what [the New Orleans Saints] are doing this year.”

Veteran team owner Jack Roush understood coming into the 2009 season that by year’s end he would have an overflow of drivers as he needed to cut his team from five to four drivers, as stipulated by NASCAR. The odd man out was Jamie McMurray, who after four years at Roush Fenway Racing experienced moderate success. However, McMurray was not without a driver’s seat for long, signing with the Earnhardt Ganassi Racing team to pilot the No. 1 Bass Pro Shop Chevrolet in 2010.

The empty seat at Earnhardt Ganassi had come after the departure of Martin Truex Jr. Truex, who won two Busch series (now Nationwide series) championships with Earnhardt Inc., had announced during 2009 that he would be heading to Michael Waltrip Racing for the 2010 season. Early indications are that Waltrip himself will scale back his duties to a part-time driver, giving the team owner points earned in his No. 55 Toyota to Truex and the newly formed No. 56 team. This will ensure Truex has a guaranteed start in the first five races of the season, a privilege all teams in the top 35 in owner’s points earn.

The ever-improving youngest Brad Keselowski impressed during 2009 not only in the Nationwide series (finished third in points) but also with his 15 starts in Cup (one win, one top five and four top 10s). His success would earn him the controls of the No. 12 Penkse Dodge, pushing David Stremme to the curb after just one year at Penske. In a big team shakeup, crew chief Jay Guy will replace Roy McCauley on the pit box for the No. 12 season.

Reed Sorenson also looks to be a victim of too many drivers and not enough seats. The 2009 season began with a lot of promise as Sorenson took over the famed No. 43 for the newly formed Richard Petty Motorspots (RPM), a team created when Petty Enterprises and Gillette Evernham Motorsports joined forces. However, toward the end of 2009, RPM announced a merge with struggling Yates Racing. The merger would bring Paul Menard to join Kasey Kahne (No. 9), Elliott Sadler (No. 19) and A.J. Allmendinger (moving to the No. 43) for a four-driver team at Petty. Let’s hope no team name changes are enforced, as Richard Petty Gillette Evernham Yates Racing is too much of a mouthful. The team also announced a switch to Ford after Dodge’s well-publicized financial woes.

Several drivers have found employment problems in 2010 due to a lack of sponsorship for their teams. The No. 07 out of the Richard Childress Racing (RCR) stable lost sponsor Jack Daniel’s at the conclusion of the 2009 season, leaving the future of RCR driver Casey Mears in limbo. The rumor at press time was the No. 07 would be on the grid for the Daytona 500. However, unless a sponsor was found it would be the team’s one and only race for 2010. No definite plans have been released regarding Mears’ plans after the Daytona 500.

The future of 2000 champion Bobby Labonte is also dependent on sponsorship. Labonte spent the majority of the year with Hall of Fame Racing in the No. 96 Ask.com-backed Ford. However, the former champ was extracted from the car after sponsors sought to have Erik Darnell behind the wheel rather than Labonte. Fast-forward to 2010 and the No. 96 team is still unsure of its place in the new season. Labonte is rumored to be on board with the No. 71 TRG Motorsports team for 2010.

The racing industry is coming out of a tough financial year and is looking to bounce back. Teams learned to tighten belts as many of NASCAR’s teams cut employees and re-visited budgets to survive the year. It is still unsure if 43 full-time teams will start the 2010 season; however, there are plenty of smaller part-time teams who are keen to fill empty spots. All eyes will be on the drivers as performing well has become a must with a large number of jobless and skilled drivers looking to take any seat that becomes available. So zip up the fire suits and tighten the belts as it could be a very hot and blistery season.

Based on Patrick’s career in racing, it seems her attitude is one of: “Get out of my way, boys, I’m coming through.”

Patrick is winding up her fifth year racing in IndyCar’s top level. The feisty 27-year-old has been on a path of approval since her rookie season in 2005 when, racing for Rahal Letterman Racing, she finished 12th in the season’s rankings. That season could be considered a success as fast practice times and two pole positions were highlights; however, Patrick was unable to capitalize on those positives and failed to finish any race on the podium (in the top three). Patrick did impress during the Indianapolis 500, finishing in fourth position and becoming the first woman to lead laps during the famed race.

Since her debut, Patrick has given her two different team owners a slow return on their faith in her driving ability. In her five years in the IndyCar series, Patrick has bettered her position in the standings each sequential year. From her 12th-place ranking in 2005, Patrick has finished ninth, seventh, sixth and is sitting in the fifth position as the 2009 season comes to a close.

The highlight of her career came in April 2008, after Patrick took the checkered flag in the Indy Japan 300. It was the first IndyCar win for a female driver, and, without question, relieved the pressure Patrick faced at the time to earn her first win. Afterwards, Patrick commented, “I’ve been asked so many times when and if I can win my first race and finally, no more of those questions.” Team owner Michael Andretti also commented on his driver’s first win. “Danica is such a fantastic person and I’m thrilled for her that the monkey is finally off of her back,” he said. “We have all believed in her and she proved [then] that she is a winner. Frankly, I think this is the first of many.”

In motor sports, performance accounts for everything. The ultimate goal is to win the race. The career of a driver is defined by results, possibly directing his or her future toward endorsements, large monetary contracts and media attention. The alternative is that a driver will find himself or herself passed over quickly, soon never to be seen on a racetrack again. Consider, for example, NASCAR Sprint Cup series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., who has struggled through the 2009 season while his Hendrick Motorsports teammates have excelled. Both professional and novice critics are now questioning Earnhardt’s skill as a driver, apparently disregarding his record of 18 wins in 10 seasons.

Critics will dissect Patrick’s career in numerous ways. The statistics, one win through 80 starts (at time of printing), might not seem as successful as those of others Patrick competes with in the IndyCar series. New Zealand native Scott Dixon, the 2003 and 2008 champion, and a championship contender in the 2009 season, has earned 20 victories after 112 starts in his seven seasons in the IndyCar series. Dixon has finished on the podium 46 times in his career.

Dixon is certainly an elite driver within the series and along with leading drivers Dario Franchitti, Helio Castroneves and Tony Kanaan, comparing their careers to Patrick’s could seem a little unjust. Each has had more than 100 starts in IndyCar and can boast more years’ experience than Patrick.

However, 2009 series championship contender Ryan Briscoe, an Australian driver who, at age 27, also made his debut season with IndyCar in 2005, has felt the highs and lows of performance standards. Briscoe finished his rookie season with 15 starts and 19th in the rankings, well behind Patrick. His career has since been a roller coaster, completing his first full season with IndyCar in 2008, finishing the season with three victories and fifth in the rankings, one ahead of Patrick. Briscoe has surely cemented his place on the Penske racing team with another strong showing in the 2009 season.

As Patrick continues to compete against the men, her performance will undoubtedly be compared to her rivals, as it should be. From all reports, that’s the way Patrick wants it as she ignores critics and shuns criticism. Former IndyCar series driver and now NASCAR competitor Robby Gordon laid claim that Patrick raced each weekend with an unfair advantage, stating her smaller and lighter body size allowed her car to weigh 100 pounds less than those of her competitors. Gordon called for IndyCar officials to even the playing field before he would compete against Patrick. However, sports such as basketball, boxing (within weight classes) or football do not discriminate because of an athlete’s size and there is no indication that IndyCar will.

While Patrick continues to do battle with the men on the IndyCar circuit, there have been, and still are, other talented female drivers who have traded paint with the men on the race track. Janet Guthrie, who got her name racing with the Sports Car Club of America series and success in 12 Hours of Sebring, mixed it up with the boys on the racetrack in IndyCar and NASCAR. In 1977, her breakout year, Guthrie became the first woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500, as well as the first woman to compete in the Daytona 500.

Guthrie, who spent four years in NASCAR with 33 starts, received a cold welcome from Petty when she entered the series. She commented in her book, “A Life at Full Throttle,” that Petty was quoted as saying “She’s no lady. If she was, she’d be at home. There’s a lot of differences in being a lady and a woman.” To Petty’s credit, he did backpedal slightly after Guthrie displayed her driving skills. Petty recognized her ability, telling the Jacksonville (Fla.) Journal in 1978 that she could win a Winston Cup race if she had a better ride.

In today’s IndyCar racing circuit, female drivers are few and far between. After making her debut in 1999, Ohio native Sarah Fisher has maintained a part-time program in IndyCar with a pole position in 2002, plus two podium finishes being the highlights of her 71 IndyCar starts.

Another female driver battling with Patrick on the track is Venezuelan driver Milka Duno. Duno has had little success in her three years and 20 starts in IndyCar, gaining more popularity after a trackside “discussion” regarding an incident during practice in 2008 with Patrick, which erupted when the two exchanged heated words, followed by towels being thrown. Patrick, claiming “I just wanted to talk with her,” explained to a frustrated and stern Duno, “It’s not my fault you are slow.” The spirited pair, along with Fisher, combined in 2007 to become the first three women to compete simultaneously in the Indianapolis 500.

The debate on Patrick’s move to NASCAR has been raging again in recent months as the driver for the Andretti Racing team (formally Andretti Green Racing) is coming off contract at the end of the season. Reports surfaced of visits to high-profile race teams, however, Patrick gave all indications, in a recent interview with si.com, that she was comfortable where she was and would return to IndyCar in 2010. More rumors have recently indicated that Patrick has also taken a “part-time” job with ex-IndyCar champion and two-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart.

The shorter and less demanding season required on the IndyCar circuit leaves time for Patrick to begin a NASCAR apprenticeship with Stewart. Taking on a limited schedule during the 2010 season with races in the Camping World Truck Series and the Nationwide Series could prove to be the training she requires to become familiar with stockcar racing. It is a similar path Stewart took when he transgressed from open-wheel racing to stockcars.

In the past few season, open-wheel racers Juan Pablo Montoya, the 2000 Indianapolis 500 winner, A.J. Allmendinger, 2006 Indianapolis 500 winner Sam Hornish Jr. and 2007 IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti have all tried to reach NASCAR glory. Only Montoya has shown any real success, recording one win in the cup series and becoming a championship contender in 2009 after qualifying for the Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship. Allmendinger and Hornish, jumping quickly into the top level of the sport, are still finding their way in stockcars while Franchitti returned to IndyCar full-time in 2009.

What Patrick does bring to whichever motor sports series she competes in is her marketability. The attractive brunette, standing at approximately 5 foot 2 inches and weighing in at around 100 pounds, has graced the cover of multiple magazines. From Sports Illustrated to ESPN Magazine, many sporting magazines have highlighted her career. Beyond that, Patrick has also been seen in glamorous photos shoots for magazines such as FHM and the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue.

Patrick has also used her appeal in various advertising campaigns. Godaddy.com advertisement campaigns have featured Patrick either wrapped in a towel or being ticketed by a seductive female police officer. Throw in a few mobile phones, a watch or two or even some milk and Patrick’s stance as the most sought-after and publicized IndyCar driver is clear.

IndyCar has credited Patrick’s popularity and talent as a reason for an increase in television ratings. During the 2005 Indianapolis 500, when Patrick took the lead toward the end of the race, the first woman in Indianapolis 500 history to lead a lap, ratings surged to a 40 percent increase from the previous year’s race.

More viewers are continuing to tune in to IndyCar after last year’s merger with former rival series Champ Car. Three-time Indianapolis winner Helio Castroneves was also credited with bumping up ratings after his appearance and victory on the ABC television series “Dancing with the Stars” brought a new audience segment to the series. In acknowledging their growth in viewers, IndyCar management would be pleased to see Patrick remain in the IndyCar series.

Patrick’s marketability could see the young star reap large financial rewards, either in IndyCar or in the more lucrative NASCAR series. Either way, she is currently leading a small pack of female drivers trying to make their mark on both the American and international racing scene. With her gritty determination and explosive personality, Patrick is likely to steamroll any who get in her way to prove herself. Even the boys.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are unique among NFL teams in many ways. Most notable is the ownership of the team and the long commitment of the Rooney family, maintaining ownership since the team’s inception. Founded by Art Rooney in 1933, the team ownership has been passed to Art’s son Dan Rooney with much of the control today under the direction of Dan’s son, Art Rooney II.

THE EARLY YEARS
Art Rooney is born and bred Pittsburgh, living all of his life in and around the steel-working town. His affinity for sports was displayed during his amateur boxing career, while playing minor league baseball and through coaching in different sporting disciplines. Rooney’s boxing prowess earned him a position on the 1920 Olympic team; however, he did not get to compete.

Rooney’s talents showed in business dealings as well. Among his early interests was ownership of a semi-professional football team, and as the National Football League (NFL) sought to expand their competition, Rooney took his team the next step. He entered his team, then called the Pittsburgh Pirates, into the expanding NFL competition, joining the NFL’s Eastern Division. With his league membership payment of $2,500, Rooney built his team from mostly local players, keeping his team true to its Pittsburgh roots.

From its first game on Sept. 20, 1933, a loss against the New York Giants, and through the remainder of the 1930s, the team had little success. Rooney sent shock waves through the NFL, signing University of Colorado star Byron White in 1938 to a staggering $15,000 contract. However, White would play only one season with the team before moving on to continue studies and eventually to pursue a career in law.

The team’s lack of success on the field was matched by its financial woes, returning no profit through the 1930s and into the 1940s. Rooney, however, was able to keep his team afloat through the lucrative hobby of horse racing plus the occasional boxing promotion. Rooney would also look to give his team its own identity as it shared its name with the town’s professional baseball team. So entering into the 1940 season, Rooney drew from Pittsburgh’s steel town legacy and renamed his team the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the mantel of being a rugged, hard-working town, the team took on the same persona entering the football arena.

Under the new name, and with new players such as Bill Dudley and a new attitude, the team would build a reputation of fierce defensive play. Its first winning season came in 1942, but just as the team seemed to be becoming stronger, the Steelers were plagued with the loss of players leaving to serve in World War II. To survive, the team combined with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1943 to become the Phil-Pitt “Steagles,” and then with the Chicago Cardinals, Card-Pitt, in 1944.

Their reputation of being a dangerous defensive team stayed with the Steelers through the 1940s and into the ’50s, with the likes of Hall of Fame defensive tackle Ernie Stautner terrorizing the opposition. However, it wasn’t enough. Though many coaches had been tried and tested, John McNally (1937-1939), Aldo Donelli (1941) and Jock Sutherland (1945-1947), to name just a few, it was the return of Joe Bach in 1952 that turned the Steelers’ offensive team around. The difference was immediate, with Bach’s team breaking the Steelers’ points scoring record in his first year back.

Bad luck and bad judgment followed the team into the early 1960s. Bach retired due to poor health in 1954. The team drafted young star quarterback Johnny Unitas in 1955, but cut the future Super Bowl MVP in training camp. And to make matters worse, promising receiver Lowell Perry’s career was cut short through injury after only six games.

TURNAROUND
For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the league’s “easy beats,” the signing of new coach Buddy Parker brought a turn of fortune. Parker led the team to five non-losing seasons during his eight seasons.

Still unable to break into the championship games, and with a roster of players who were approaching the end of their careers, it was time for a change. Rooney signed former Baltimore defensive coach Chuck Noll to become the team’s 17th head coach after 33 seasons. Noll’s era with the team would go on to span a remarkable 22 years and include four Super Bowl wins. Noll’s signing with the team also brought with it a shake-up in the franchise not seen in the team’s history.

The NFL was looking to expand again and the Steelers elected to join with the merging American Football Conference (AFC). They also moved to a new home, Three Rivers Stadium, along the banks of the Monongahela River in downtown Pittsburgh. The stadium was shared with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was considered state of the art.

The shake-up also included new players. Noll picked up several key draft selections in his first few years, including defensive tackle Joe Greene, corner back Mel Blount, running back Franco Harris and quarterback Terry Bradshaw. With Rooney, Noll was looking to clean house after a disastrous 1-13 inaugural season. Their instinctive draft selections would continue in 1974, when four future Hall of Famers, Mike Webster, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth and Jack Lambert, were all picked up by the Steelers.

In the 1972 season, for the first time in 25 years, the Steelers made the playoffs, winning the AFC Central title with an 11-3 season. Although they won their first playoff game against the Oakland Raiders 13-7, after a nail-biting final-minute play, the Steelers would go down to the Miami Dolphins in the AFC championship game 21-17. The successful season marked the beginning of a victorious stint for Rooney’s Steelers.

NO. 1
The 1974 season brought Rooney his long-awaited prize. Finishing the season with a 10-3-1 record the Steelers were into the playoffs for a third consecutive year. The team blasted its way through the Buffalo Bills (32-14) and Oakland Raiders (24-13) to win the first conference championship in the team’s history, earning its way into the championship game.

The Steelers entered Super Bowl IX, their first, against the Minnesota Vikings as underdogs. The defensive battle between teams meant very little offensive yardage was gained in the first half. The Steelers prevailed, finishing the game 16-6, giving Rooney his first Super Bowl championship.

CONTINUING SUCCESS
The following season the Steelers continued their dominating defensive play and earned their second consecutive AFC championship, beating archrivals Oakland 16-10. Their winning season of 12-2, a franchise record and the AFC championship were topped with their second Super Bowl game in two years.

The Steelers faced the Dallas Cowboys for Super Bowl X in the Miami Orange Bowl stadium. Being the team that everybody seemed to hate, the Cowboys were tagged as the “pretty boys” of the NFL. The image ignited the Steelers’ rage as they would go on to win the game 21-17 and give Rooney his second title.

Through the 1970s, the Pittsburgh Steelers continued their momentum of success. That decade included eight post-season playoff appearances, seven AFC Central titles, four AFC championships and four Super Bowl championships. Their back-to-back victories in 1974 and 1975 and dominance through the ’70s were capped with victories in Super Bowl XIII (1978) against the Dallas Cowboys 35-31 and Super Bowl XIV (1979) against the Los Angeles Rams 31-19.

BEYOND THE STEEL CURTAIN
The Steelers dominance during the 1970s was highlighted by their defensive “hit squad,” nicknamed the “Steel Curtain.” Through the 1970s, the defensive line earned the reputation as the most fearsome in the NFL. Their astonishing record included an almost miraculous recovery of the 1976 season, when the team allowed only 28 points through the final nine games of the season. Eight of the nine games were touchdown-free.

The members of the Steel Curtain were honored for their defensive accomplishments. Joe Greene won NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1972 and 1974. Mel Blount and Jack Lambert matched this effort being named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1975 and 1976, respectively. With eight defensive players selected for the Pro Bowl and four being named to the NFL Hall of Fame, the legacy of the Steel Curtain being the most dominant defensive team in NFL history remains today.

Matching the dominance of the Steel Curtain, the Steelers’ offensive team started to build a reputation of its own. Quarterback Bradshaw broke through early career troubles to become a player with many skills. The team’s passing game grew into prominence as Bradshaw built a relationship with his two wide receivers, Lynn Swann and John Stallworth. Both were equally dangerous when Bradshaw threw them the ball. In 1976, Swann broke the team’s reception record with 61 catches. Stallworth would go on to become the team’s all-time leading receiver.

With the dominant defensive team added to the reliable offensive weapons, the Pittsburgh Steelers were labeled as the team of the decade through the 1970s. With their outstanding success and a record four Super Bowl victories, the title was well-earned.

BIG LOSSES AND NEW BEGINNINGS
Into and through the 1980s, Pittsburgh fell from its throne as the NFL’s dominant team. Noll’s quest for a fifth Super Bowl championship was lost through injury and retirements of key players. By midway through the ’80s, the Steelers had lost Bradshaw, Greene, Harris and Stallworth along with many other significant players. The team failed to make the playoffs and a restructuring was in order.

The biggest loss came when long-time owner Art Rooney died in August 1988. He had remained with the team in some capacity for more than 50 years, becoming an iconic figure in Pittsburgh. It was a loss felt not only by the Steelers but by the city as well.

Woeful times resulted in losing seasons and embarrassing scores and the Steelers struggled to maintain dignity. They clawed their way to an AFC Central division tie at the conclusion of the 1990 season, but were unable to improve on the season. As new players, such as defensive back Rod Woodson and quarterback Bubby Brister, fought to turn the team, the Steelers were unable to match their past success.

The biggest change to the Steelers’ lineup came not in players, but in management. For 22 seasons, Noll had been head coach at Pittsburgh, winning a yet-to-be-matched four Super Bowls. On his retirement after the 1991 season, Steeler’s boss Dan Rooney appointed Pittsburgh native Bill Cowher. By signing Cowher when he was just 34, the Steelers had taken on the youngest NFL head coach in history.

Cowher’s impact was immediate, returning the team to the top of the AFC Central division. By the 1995 season, Cowher had the Steelers back to the Super Bowl, seeking their fifth championship in only his fourth year at the helm. Pittsburgh fell short of its quest after a loss to the Dallas Cowboys 27-17.

Through the 1990s, Cowher’s record was impressive, with five AFC Central titles. Along the way he became the second-winningest coach in Steelers’ history. Cowher and Rooney would sign future Steelers stars running back Jerome Bettis, wide receiver Hines Ward and quarterback Kordell Stewart. The Steelers were looking to once again build a championship team.

A powerful defensive team would return, in the Steelers’ stadium, Heinz Field, as the team sought its fifth Super Bowl ring. An injury to comeback player quarterback Tommy Maddox brought 2004 draft pick Ben Roethlisberger to the starting lineup. Roethlisberger hit his stride in the first season with the team finishing the season 15-1. They fell short of the Super Bowl championship, falling 41-27 to eventual winners the New England Patriots in the AFC championship game.

The Steelers fans needed to wait only one season to celebrate their fifth championship. The team stumbled its way into the post-season after a not-so-impressive 11-5 season, earning a wild-card spot in the playoffs. Their post-season was perfect with victories over Cincinnati, 31-17, Indianapolis, 21-18, and Denver, 34-17. The Steelers won their fifth Super Bowl championship, equaling the Dallas Cowboys’ record, with a win over the Seattle Seahawks 21-10. Super Bowl XL was highlighted by wide receiver Hines Ward’s five receptions and Jerome Bettis’ last appearance for the Steelers.

SIX … SEVEN …
Cowher would serve one more season, 15 in total, as the head coach before retiring at the end of the 2006 season, handing over the reins to current coach Mike Tomlin. Tomlin’s quiet and nonchalant yet professional personality differs greatly from the aggressive confrontational approach Cowher was known for. Tomlin’s style would prove successful as he took the Steelers to a winning season and the AFC North title in his first year.

The Steelers won their sixth championship at Super Bowl XLIII, beating the Arizona Cardinals 27-23, the first team to win six titles. Tomlin was the youngest coach in NFL history to win a championship. Leading the charge was Pittsburgh wide receiver Santonio Holmes with nine receptions, including the game-winning catch in the Steelers’ end zone. The touchdown halted the Cardinals, who had surged back into contention late in the fourth quarter.

Ahead of the Steelers is a new season and a new goal, championship No. 7. Many of last season’s winning team have remained. Roethlisberger’s shoulder seems to conjure many questions and comments, however, he assured supporters that all was fine. “My shoulder has been feeling great and everything should be fine,” Roethlisberger said at the 2009 training camp.

All of the Pittsburgh team seems focused and ready for the new season. “My goal is to stay injury-free and give this team everything I can,” explains Holmes on the approaching season. When questioned on the previous season’s highlight, Holmes was very direct in his approach. “That is all in the past and is history. My focus is now on this season. I want to give our loyal supporters what they deserve. They take time off to come [to training camp] and support us so I just want to repay them for that.”

For veteran wide receiver Hines Ward, there is no question as to his focus and position on the team. “We always focus on the future and not on the past,” he explained as he prepared for his 12th season with the Steelers.

Along with Ward, Holmes and Roethlisberger, the Steelers will hit the field with their new breed of stars Troy Polamalu, James Harrison and Willie Parker at their opening game on Sept. 10 against the Tennessee Titans at Heinz Field. The dream for a seventh championship may linger in some minds and is surely not far out of reach.

This month, our columnist Mike Howe (Page 54) discusses new safety standards being offered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Their goal, as Mike explains, is to improve stopping distance for trucks by 30 feet by introducing new brake regulations. Nobody should discredit their efforts as pinpointing stopping distance may certainly reduce the number of fatalities. However, has there been any consideration to other areas of concern?

My first experience in an 18-wheeler, many years ago, mind you, was certainly an eye-opener in numerous ways. Afterward, my philosophy on driving skills and practices was drastically readjusted. Sitting high in the big rig was the perfect position to witness the idiotic behavior of many motorists. Just looking at the top of my list of observations I question the safety aspects of these practices:

• Why does music need to be played at a decibel level that detracts from concentration level?
• Can one really have full control of a vehicle while lounging so far in the driver’s seat that they might as well be driving from the back seat?
• Does one drive better while looking prettier, constantly checking the mirror for a hair out of place and for makeup to be applied appropriately?
• Is it a test of driving skill to smoke a cigarette, make a phone call, eat a sandwich and control the vehicle all at the same time?
• How does speeding up at a red light to snag that one spot in the next lane help one arrive at a destination any earlier?

As different regulations and laws regarding the transportation industry are passed, I often wonder how many within the industry are consulted. Who better to offer guidance on road safety, hours of service, maintenance, etc., than those who practice these routines everyday? To put it in perspective, if I wanted to be a better wide receiver, would I ask an NFL referee or somebody like Pittsburgh’s Hines Ward, who has 12 seasons of experience with the NFL (cover story Page 22). Shouldn’t experience count for something?

Educating the drivers of tomorrow on the dos and don’ts of safe driving could be a great place to start pinpointing bad practices. With professional drivers on the road today having driven millions upon millions of miles, maybe there are a few who could offer some experienced, educated guidance. It may look cool to drive slumped in the driver’s seat, rap tunes blasting while talking on your cell to the little lady – but is it safe?

Regular calls come in from concerned drivers who keep me posted on how the government is trying to screw the professional truck driver, a different way, of course, in each call. Then there are the drivers who are so passionate about their industry and report on how disappointed they are when they witness fellow drivers degrading themselves and each other by seemingly mindless and stupid acts. These are all great and I will always try to find the time to listen to the grievances and complaints. However, my favorite is listening to the success stories of drivers who have undocumented talents and skills and have used these talents to their finest.

A group of musical truck drivers (Page 50) came together recently to combine their talents and record an album, dedicated to U.S. troops serving overseas. Thousands of copies were sent to those serving on active tours as a show of appreciation for what they are doing for our country. Sure, the gesture was tremendous and greatly appreciated by those who received a CD; however, it is remarkable just to hear the talented musicians who are also out there every day delivering the goods.

Our cover story this month (Page 26) features the attractive and talented actress Michelle Monaghan as she discusses her time making the film “Trucker” and her experiences learning about the trucking industry. Monaghan was obviously impressed with the variety of people she met while she went over-the-road. She talks candidly about her experience behind the wheel and how impressed she was with the many talented professional truck drivers who are on the road.

Perhaps inside us all there is a lost talent that was either ignored or pushed to the wayside. Without question, I know that singing is definitely not my lost talent. Plenty of pained ears will testify to that. While I often try to entertain my old basset hound by belting out Elvis’ “Hound Dog,” Maggie often waddles off to her doggy bed to hide. However, if I delve deep enough, maybe I could find that one thing, that one talent that has gone astray.

In past issues of Challenge Magazine we’ve been proud of the array of individuals we have been honored to feature. There have been singers, actors, wrestlers, artists and more who have followed their deepest desire and found their hidden talent. The challenge is for you to look a little deeper and find yours.