by Jeff Hammond

I've worked with Johnson on his diversity initiative in NASCAR, and I spent a little time at Irwindale Speedway with Bob DeFazio and his great staff to announce a driver and pit crew search program aimed at putting a minority youth into the driver's seat of a brand-new Legends race car for the 2005 season at the well-known western raceway. The program will also send a youngster to my "Pit Crew U" in Mooresville, N.C. for training as an over-the-wall crew member.

Speed Mail Jeff Hammond
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So many exciting things are happening around our sport as NASCAR acknowledges the new fans, drivers and mechanical talent trying to get into our sport. As we're growing, we're also giving back to charities.

The brightest stars for me were the ones covering Bobby Hamilton Jr.'s No. 32 car. I had an opportunity to work with Hamilton's sponsor, Tide, in Daytona, and we visited children with life-threatening illnesses at the Give Kids the World village in Kissimmee, Fla. The kids signed a bunch of stars that covered the car at California. At Fontana, Jamie McMurray and Texaco/Havoline announced the to benefit the Autism Society of America (ASA).

It's so neat to be a small part of NASCAR's transformation. It's great to see people get excited about the sport for the first time when I've been excited about it for the better part of 30 years.

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FOX race analyst Jeff Hammond led Darrell Waltrip to two of DW's three Winston Cup championships as his crew chief. They also teamed to win the 1989 Daytona 500.

For autographed copies of Jeff Hammond's new book "Real Men Work in the Pits" plus magnets, hats and more, check out www.dwstore.com.

For photos and appearances, visit Jeff's web site www.jeffhammond.com.