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NASCAR BGN: To Jeff Green, Vegas Is Mans Best Friend

25 February 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
(Mooresville, NC)-- Not a day goes by that Jeff Green, driver of the No. 10 Nestl NesQuik Chevrolet, doesnt think about Las Vegas. But its not for the reasons you think.

Green and his wife, Michelle, became the proud parents of a bouncy, energetic black Labrador. The puppy arrived after Green won his first career NASCAR Busch Series, Grand National Division race at Las Vegas Motor Speedways inaugural event in 1997. To commemorate the win, they named her "Vegas." The four-legged prize is a unique addition to Greens trophy case.

"Right before the Las Vegas race that year, my wife and I decided we wanted to get another dog," said Green. "We had a two-year-old yellow Labrador named Short Track, at the time and we felt he needed a friend, a companion. We were travelling a lot and felt it would be better for Short Track had some type of family with him while we were gone.

"When I won the race at Las Vegas it was a very big milestone in my career. So, when I finally got the new dog I had to pick out a name for her. To celebrate the win, I decided to name her Vegas. I tell you what, its the most interactive trophy Ive ever gotten!"

If you ask Green if he has any children, you will get the answer, "Only the four-legged kind." Both he and Michelle consider their dogs to be their family.

"My dogs are my kids," said Green. "In fact, I never have to use an alarm clock when I am at home. Vegas wakes me up everyday at 6:30 a.m. wanting to go outside.

"Unfortunately, they cant travel with Michelle and I to the track. Short Track and Vegas are large, active dogs and they need a lot of room to run around. I miss them a lot when Im at the track, but I get a warm welcome everytime I come home " whether I win or not."

If Green wins again at the 1.5 mile-oval this year, he said he wouldnt bring home another trophy of this type.

"Although Vegas is the best award Ive ever received, I dont think I would want two of her," said Green. "She has to be dusted off too much. I think next time Ill just opt for the trophy that sits on the mantle."

Text provided by Marcy Scott

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.