It was only a matter of time that communication tools like podcasts and blogs reached the NASCAR community. With millions of NASCAR fans using iPods and other tech tools to get their hands on all information about drivers and the sport they love, Alltel has come out as one of the leaders, offering a regular podcast featuring Alltel driver Ryan Newman's crew chief Matt Borland interviewing teammates. This will give Newman fans a behind the scenes audio look into the life of a NASCAR pit crew member, with a different perspective each week. Other teams and sponsors are sure to follow suit...

The popularity of NASCAR has certainly created some strange bedfellows, but usually for good reason. The latest alliance between NASCAR fabricators (metal and fiberglass wizards--not liars) and Gerogia Tech scientists seems to fall into this category. What would scientists and NASCAR types have in common? But here is where loyal RPM readers and NASCAR fans know the truth--who is better to design a vehicle that has to survive the perils of battle better than those who design the cars that take a punishment every Sunday? By combining the scientists' background with the NASCAR guys knowledge of vehicle safety, the Ultra was born--a true prototype for the military vehicle of the future.

Cooking is serious business at NASCAR races. From the cooks that travel with the teams to the tailgating fans grilling before the race, food and NASCAR have always gone hand in hand. Now NASCAR fans are being introduced to new twists on old favorites by none other than Iron Chef Mario Batali. Batali, owner of Babbo, has brought his inimitable cooking style to the track with his new book Mario Tailgates NASCAR Style. RPM prediction--Bobby Flay's up next...

One thing is certain--Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya is leaving F1 for NASCAR. One thing is not a done deal, but is cause for much speculation--Danica Patrick is considering a departure from IRL to race in NASCAR's big leagues. What do both of these mean? Both of them can drive, so it means that NASCAR's stars better keep an eye in their rearview mirror for some unfamiliar sights. A few years back it was the youth invasion. Could 2007 be the year NASCAR gets a more diverse field of drivers? We shall soon see...

If you are a Dale Jr. fan, you likely have every jacket, sticker, hat, and any other imaginable item produced with his scruffy likeness.Now you can add Budweiser cans and bottles to your collection of #8 merchandise. Jr's face, car, and #8 will adorn the new aluminum bottles and cans in race markets within 30 days of the final 16 races (that's a lot of math...whew...) So if you are not lucky enough to drink with Junior in his motorcoach, now you can bring Junior into the comfort of your own home.

It must be election time again, since the politicians are suddenly NASCAR fans. But not all politicians can drop in on a race via Air Force 2. The second in command did a low-slung flyover and cruised around the track in an SUV (wonder if he has a connection for low price gas...) and addressed the assembled fans before the start of the Pepsi 400. And the Democrats wonder why they lose elections...