In two days, the XXIX Olympic Games will begin in Beijing, China. The 2008 games will be played August 8-24 and have 28 summer sports, with approximately 10,500 athletes expected to participate. More than 20,000 media will broadcast the triumphs and heartbreaks of the competition worldwide.

NASCAR drivers Bobby Labonte and Marc Mitchell talk about what characteristics drivers on the NASCAR circuit and Olympic athletes have in common.

"It's the competition. I mean, you get to see the very best compete against each other. That's no different from the Olympics to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.", Mitchell stated.        
 

Mitchell compares the elite drivers in the Craftsman Truck circuit to the “dream team”, that starred Michael Jordan, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and other great ball players.

"I'll never forget watching the first Olympic basketball 'dream team'. To see Larry Bird, Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and all the other legends play on the same team was amazing. Having raced against the likes of Hornday, Skinner, Benson and Bodine, it's the same level of competition. It's a different sport, but the level of competition is at its peak. That's pretty special and maybe something unique that we can share in common." said Mitchell.

Labonte feels that Olympic athletes and NASCAR drivers are alike, because they each hold a strong desire to win and be competitive.

"We share the same determination and will to win. Most of these Olympics athletes have worked their whole lives to prepare for the games. They've made huge sacrifices and spent countless hours training to perform their best. If you look around the Sprint Cup garage, and guys like Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Kasey Kahne and many others, they have worked their whole lives to win at this level." said Labonte.

Average Olympic contenders are amateurs, but they perform stronger because they have to make a name for themselves. The desire to win tends to be more powerful when you are trying to get to the top and show everyone just what you are made of.

"Olympic athletes, most are of the amateur status. They aren't getting paid as professionals, but rather they are doing it out of true passion. They love what they do and want to win gold against the best. The road map to Sprint Cup, it's the same. You aren't getting rich, but rather racing and winning because it's a true passion. You work harder and better to be the best. You have that drive and will to win. It's fun to watch all the athletes from around the world who are sharing in the dream that a lot of us in the Sprint Cup have also accomplished." stated Labonte.