NASCAR Readies for Accident-Prone Guest Driver

This weekend's NASCAR events near Charlotte, North Carolina, will include a special guest. North Carolina Governor Mike Easley is expected to don a racing suit and take Casey Mears' number 25 National Guard/GMAC racecar for a spin around Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, all in the name of charity.

Before Saturday's NEXTEL All-Star Challenge race at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Governor Easley will take the keys and drive Mears' "American Heroes" racecar a few laps to raise money for the National Guard Family Readiness Program. Having already received numerous pledges from private donors, the National Guard Family Readiness Program assists National Guard families when they face tough issues, from financial problems during deployment to car maintenance and other family-related concerns.

According to The Associated Press, Easley stated in a written statement regarding the fundraising event, "The men and women in the North Carolina National Guard make significant sacrifices being overseas serving our country... I am asking every citizen and business to join in giving a little back during race week."

Saturday's NASCAR event does not mark the first such event for the North Carolina governor. In fact, if the past gives any hint as to what the NASCAR community can expect on Saturday, misfortune may be brewing.

In 2003, Governor Easley accidentally wrecked a Hendrick Motorsports car while practicing at the Concord, NC, speedway. After walking away from the crash scene uninjured, the Governor became a favorite with NASCAR fanatics.

Two years later in 2005, Governor Easley initiated a new legislative session in Raleigh by steering NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson's Chevrolet racecar through downtown streets to the Legislative Building. On his way, Easley began to fishtail and barely escaped from hitting both a parked Mercedes and a utility pole along the downtown streets. Even though neither car was damaged, the Governor's ego was surely bruised.

According to NBC17, Easley responded to the incidents stating, "If you wreck once you're cool. If you wreck twice you're an idiot. I'm headed toward the idiot stage."

WSOC reports that on Thursday after Easley's practice run, president of the Lowe's Motor Speedway track announced, "Since (Governor Easley) didn't wreck today, the speedway is going to donate $5,000 to the families."

Donations for the event are being collected through the Speedway Children's Charities. For more information, visit www.speedwaycharities.org or www.governor.state.nc.us .

"Easley Getting Behind NASCAR Wheel for Charity." The Associated Press. URL: (http://wral.com/news/state/story/1426236/).

"Easley Getting Behind NASCAR Wheel Again." NBC-17. URL: (http://www.nbc17.com/midatlantic/ncn/news.apx.-content-articles-NCN-2007-05-18-0004.html).