20 days until graduation

Welcome to the newest (temporary) feature here on the blog: The Graduation Countdown. As I mentioned a little over a month ago, I will be graduating here in June, and taking my scholastic talents to UC’s grad school while continuing to help the football team as a graduate assistant in the video department.

So with 20 days until “The Walk,” I remind you of my favorite No. 20s in the world, and add a story or two about the number of days until graduation.

Obviously I’m focused on the NASCAR aspect of the countdown and no one has made the number 20 more prominent than Tony Stewart. Although he hasn’t been in the car since the end of the 2008 campaign, “Smoke” won two NASCAR titles in the No. 20 car for Coach Joe Gibbs.

This old photo (from 2005) was taken a day before the now 40 year old Tony Stewart won his first Brickyard 400

Now, however, Joey Logano has taken the number and the kid (who by the way is still 20 years old, until Tuesday) from Middletown, Conn., has improved since he first started running in the Sprint cup Series.

I've had a few chances to meet and chat with Logano, this picture is from 2009 when I was working with WCPO (Channel 9)

And he’s owned Kentucky Speedway’s Nationwide (nee Busch) Series race ever since he began running the No. 20 in NASCAR’s second-tier series. I’ve had the opportunity to chat with Joey a few times at Kentucky, and he’s become one of my favorites. That also might have to do with the fact that he’s almost my age, but Joey has always been fun to talk to.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Barry Sanders, a favorite, if not the favorite of my former boss, John Sells. And Reds fans would be disappointed in their hometown kid if I didn’t mention Frank Robinson as another famous No. 20.

With 20 days until graduation, the countdown is officially on. Let me know if I missed any of your favorite No. 20s and if you’ve got suggestions for future numbers.