Voda-Blog : 12/21/07 - NY BANQUETS, FOOTBALL SIDELINES & CHRISTMAS CHEER
Sorry I’m so delayed in getting this latest update posted. I’d love to blame the chaos of the holidays…but I’ve pretty much neglected my Christmas shopping, too! The truth is, I’ve been really busy…and my off-season has been anything but “off!” (Check out the TV Schedule link on this website to see what I’ve been up to the last month…and what I’ve got coming up).
Oh, heck…I’ll just tell you!
Happy Holidays,
Krista
Even after the checkered flag fell at Homestead, I stuck around the Miami area to emcee the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series banquet, along with my co-hort…I mean co-host, Rick Allen! It was a great night of celebration for Ron Hornaday and his owners/friends, Kevin and Delana Harvick. Ron did a lot to help Kevin in the early days of his career…it all came full-circle this year with the championship. I even spoke with the Bakersfield (CA) mayor earlier that day, who passed along his congratulations to the hometown heroes! The banquet aired a few weeks later on Speed….great job to Keith D, Roger, Flannie, Joel, and Jamie for producing a top-notch show!
From one banquet, right to another! After a brief pause for turkey and pumpkin pie, I was off to NY for the Nextel Cup banquet. I covered Champions’ Week for The Speed Report, which was really fun because my producer and photographer that week, Kim Novak and Nikki Chanda, are banquet pros! Plus, it allowed for a great girls’ week in NYC! The tree at Rockefeller Center was being lit while we were there. I made sure to get pictures…which I do every year…but this time I took a pre-lighting photo, you know…just for perspective! Another highlight of the week was chatting with Lance Armstrong, who was at one of the NASCAR functions. And another celebrity spotting…Irulan from Real World Las Vegas (my best friend Hollie may be the only one who thinks this is cool)! While in NY, I also emceed The Champions Luncheon at the famed 21 Club! The event is pretty private, and is designed for the NY-area media to have some one-on-one time with the champ. I enjoyed catching up with Chad Knaus, who was sitting at my table.
After a quick return trip to NYC the following week for meetings, I enjoyed my first off-weekend of the off-season…and used it to catch up on errands and meeting up with friends.
Oh yeah, while in NY that week…I made sure to make the most of it, by walking everywhere…you know, just like a New Yorker would! All bundled up with my hat and scarf, and proper walking shoes! I tried to soak in the energy of the city.
At this time of year, I’m into the football portion of my schedule. Last week, I returned to the NFL sidelines, for the Atlanta Falcons vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers game on FOX. Trust me, I was glad to be working in sunny Florida…especially considering the game in my home of Pittsburgh was played in the snow!
Next week, it’s more football….as I return to The Cotton Bowl! I’m excited to be reunited with Pat Summerall and Brian Baldinger…the three of us worked The Cotton Bowl together last year. Jeanne Zelasko will also be a part of this year’s broadcast. I think she will be covering the Arkansas sidelines, and I will likely cover Missouri. If any of you out there follow Mizzou, let me know…I’d love to hear your story ideas! The Cotton Bowl will be the first big bowl game of 2008, airing New Year’s morning on FOX.
Wait, I’m not done! Following The Cotton Bowl, I’ll be traveling to Anaheim for the Supercross season-opener. If you watched last year, you saw me host the pre-race show. This year we’ll be expanding it to a full in-race set, to use throughout the night’s live event! I’m excited to be the “traffic cop” for the evening, and I can’t wait to get back in front of the SX audience!
Of course, once February rolls around…it’s back to NASCAR, full throttle! I will reprise the same roles in 2008…pit reporting for FOX and hosting the Set Up (NCTS Pre-Race Show) on Speed. Daytona will be rockin’...as it will be the 50th Daytona 500!
Thank you to anyone/everyone who voted for me in last month’s Playboy.com contest. I told everyone it was a strange honor to be included on that list…but an honor nonetheless! I like to think the list was more about talent, than looks…and on that note, finishing 3rd out of a list of 12 incredibly talented females is extremely flattering. Thank you for honoring my work…not to mention, giving my boyfriend a valid excuse to check out playboy.com!
On a serious note, this is the time of year for all of us to remember those who are less fortunate. Please be sure to do what you can…even if it’s simply taking the time to remember those who are away from their famlies, ie: our military personnel. The holidays are a wonderful time to do something special for someone else. I know I should do more! I hope you all enjoy the magic of Christmas, and/or the holiday traditions you and your family share.
May your days be filled with snow angels and your nights overflowing with hot chocolate…
