Scott Speed and Michael Annett win Cook Off in Vegas

Michael Annett and Scott Speed teamed to win the Fourth Annual Raybestos® Rookie Cooking Challenge Thursday afternoon at ESPN Zone Las Vegas. Annett and Speed prepared a tasty dish of elbow macaroni with meat sauce, garlic onion and mozzarella cheese.

Other drivers competing in the event were Max Papis, Scott Lagasse Jr., John Wes Townley and Justin Allgaier. The event was judged by members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

“That was a lot of fun,” Annett said. “We love doing anything we can for kids
and something fun like that just makes it even better.”

Annett drives the No. 15 Pilot Travel Centers Toyota in the NASCAR Nationwide Series while Speed begins his rookie year in Sprint Cup in the No. 82 Red Bull Toyota

All drivers who participated in the cooking competition were assisted by members of the ESPN Zone Culinary Team, led by chef Chris Gagen. Once the meals were prepared, each child from the Boys and Girls Clubs sampled the dishes and their applause determined the overall winner. Following the contest, drivers and kids played games in ESPN Zone’s interactive Sports Arena.

Raybestos brand Brakes has been the title sponsor of NASCAR’s rookie program since 1998.

Three things I love? Macaroni, the Boys and Girls Club and Michael Annett! These off track charity events and unique ideas continue to cultivate positive branding for the sport and raise money and awareness to many great causes.

While we are on the subject of food, one of the newer NASCAR cookbooks on the shelves is Pit Stop in a Southern Kitchen written by Martha Earnhardt and Carol Gordon Bickford. That's June Bug's grandma and Jeff's mom to me and you.

Speaking of things that are yummy...