Miss Usa 2004

Kimi Raikkonen makes his NASCAR debut amid mystery

No one, it seems, knows precisely why Kimi Raikkonen is coming to America except the 2007 Formula One champion. And that's probably perfectly fine with one of the most taciturn drivers in racing.

"He didn't give a (crap) about anything or anyone," says IndyCar driver Justin Wilson , who raced against Raikkonen during the 2003 Formula One season. "He just liked to go fast. At the same time, his attitude is interesting. Take Montoya and times it by 10, and that's where Kimi is. I'm not sure how that will go down. Will they even like him? Or just knock him out straightaway?"

The answers finally will be arriving — literally — today at Charlotte Motor Speedway , where Raikkonen, 31, will be attempting to make his Camping World Truck Series debut.

After taking his first practice laps in a Toyota owned by Kyle Busch Motorsports, Raikkonen (who has declined interview requests since revealing his NASCAR plans in March) will take his first questions from reporters in a media session that figures to be filled with monosyllabic responses and perhaps a few cool looks of bemusement from the driver nicknamed "The Iceman."

The most obvious question, though, is "why NASCAR?" for Raikkonen, who retired from F1 in 2009 after making millions of dollars while registering 18 victories and 62 podium finishes in a nine-year career with Sauber, McLaren and Ferrari. There's been little insight from press releases that contained several cheery, canned quotes provided for the Finn (who was dubbed "the Mute from the North" by the F1 media corps).

"The whole thing is a bit surreal," says Bob Varsha, who is the voice of F1 on Speed. "Kimi never demonstrated much affection for oval track racing. He never expresses much of anything, To see all these shiny, upbeat comments seems so unlike him, trying to wedge Kimi into the bright and smiling 'NASCAR is for the fans' racing paradigm. It's just very strange."

"I think he just wants to try something completely different," says three-time Izod IndyCar champion Dario Franchitti , who did exactly that during a half-season move to the Sprint Cup Series three years ago (that was ended by a dearth of sponsorship). "Good for him. He'll certainly have a challenge adapting to NASCAR just because of how different the cars are to drive.

CHERRY HILL RESIDENT CROWNED MISS NEW JERSEY USA 2004 & PREPARES ...



CHERRY HILL RESIDENT CROWNED MISS NEW JERSEY USA 2004 & PREPARES TO REPRESENT STATE AT MISS USA 2004

CHERRY HILL, NJ (PRWEB) November 15, 2003

On Sunday, November 9, 2003 at the Hyatt Regency Jersey City, Janaye Michelle Ingram, 25, of Cherry Hill, NJ, was crowned Miss New Jersey USA 2004. Ms. Ingram will represent the State of New Jersey in the NBC national broadcast of the Miss USA 2004 pageant.

During 2004, the Miss Universe Organization and Miss New Jersey USA will proceed to focus their efforts on breast and ovarian cancer awareness and literacy. In addition to boosting these causes, Ingram will utilize and see in programs and events focussing on reading excellence and youth development as part of her platform for Miss New Jersey USA.

“This is a honor and the realization of a dream for me,” said Ingram. ” I am very excited and I plan to maximize this moment.”

Ingram competed in the Miss New Jersey USA 2003 pageant and made it to the semi-finals. This year, her perseverance and determination paid off. Before winning her state title, Ingram was already promoting one of the most prominent causes of the Miss USA system, reading literacy. Ingram has worked with organizations in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Georgia to generate literacy awareness and has received numerous awards and recognition for her efforts.

Ingram is the daughter of James and Renee Ingram also of Cherry Hill. She is currently an associate planning analyst at AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan in Philadelphia. Her life ambition is to become an owner and managing editor of a magazine geared toward empowering minority teen girls.

Ingram is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University in Atlanta, having received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and was a deanÂ’s list student at Clark Atlanta University. In her spare time Ingram enjoys writing poetry, reading, dancing and assisting others.

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For more information or to schedule an appearance, contact the Miss New Jersey USA organization at 401-658-0002 or Greg Satchell at 856-541-3322.

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