There are some days in my life that I will always remember. Days that take people I only wished I would meet and put them right in front of my face. Like the day I took a dozen WWE Superstars - including the entire McMahon family - on a tour of the OEM Command Center. The day I took Nightmare On Elm Street creator Wes Craven to Ground Zero. And the day I spent with Today Show Host Matt Lauer as he drove a New York City taxicab and picked up celebrity Supermodel Molly Sims. While today was as exciting as those unforgettable days, it also provided me with an "in" into a sport that I really love, and can now let me say that I have friends in that very sport, in very high places - NASCAR.

A few weeks ago, I received a call from Jaimie Horowitz, who is the field producer for NBC's coverage of NASCAR. He told me that they wanted to do a profile of Jimmie Johnson, the driver of the #48 Lowe's Chevrolet and that they would like the profile to include him driving a New York City taxicab. Being a huge fan of NASCAR, I was extremely eager to help him, and did all the necessary paperwork and planned all the logistics needed to get Jimmie in the driver's seat of cab #8C85 for today's filming of the planned profile.

To my very pleasant surprise, Jaimie asked if I would spend the day with them during the taping, just in case anything went wrong, or they needed my assistance with the day's events. Considering the fact that I would get to spend the day with an accomplished NASCAR driver that not only won the recent Sylvania 300 - but is #4 in the race for the NASCAR Winston Cup Championship - just 476 points behind point leader Matt Kenseth - why would I say no? So I took the train to 49th Street and Rockefeller Plaza to meet Jimmie Johnson, and representatives from NASCAR.

As soon as I met Jimmie, I knew he was down to Earth and a really great guy. Having just moved to New York City to be with his lovely girlfriend Shandra, Jimmie was really excited to leave the driver's seat of an 800 horsepower Stock Car and jump in the driver's seat of a taxicab and drive on the streets of New York City - a far cry from the ovals of Talladega and Daytona. From the get go, he was friendly, courteous and eager to answer of my questions about the sport I love so much.

If meeting Jimmie Johnson was not enough, I also met NASCAR Commentator Dave Burns. The voice behind the race, Burns was as cool as Jimmie, and we spent much time talking about how fun commentating is, after I told him that I was a fellow commentator, but for wrestling matches instead of stock car races. After chatting with these two NASCAR icons, we then went to pick up our first passenger - School of Rock's Jack Black.

Yesterday, I was at my desk answering press questions about a fare increase issue - and today, I was laughing and joking with Jimmie Johnson, Dave Burns, Jack Black and our last passenger, The Sopranos Jamie Lynn Sigler. While spending time with a group of celebs today was fun in itself - it was the connections I made in my favorite sport that made this day my true victory.

From Jaimie, to "Shifty" who is NASCAR's pit producer, to Marty Smith, NASCAR.com's columnist, to Sam, who is one of NASCAR's top executive producers - it was as if I was at a NASCAR staff meeting. The best part was that they made me feel right at home and treated me as if I was part of their team. When we had lunch at Pulse, which was a very surreal moment for a NASCAR fan like myself, they laughed and joked with me as if I worked with them instead of the TLC. Being the only outsider, I almost expected to feel uncomfortable or "out of the loop" - but thanks to everyone's hospitality and kindness - I felt like a member of Jimmie's pit crew - and a welcome member of the family.

I was a NASCAR fan before this amazing day, but after this incredible experience, I can now proclaim myself an absolute lifelong fan. To be able to enjoy a sport for so long and then be able to break bread with not only their high level staff - but one of their top 5 drivers - has not only cemented my loyalty to NASCAR - but has become one of the most amazing days of my life. I have done some pretty amazing things in my life, and I will probably do some even more amazing things as my wonderful life continues, but I will always hold the day I spent with the NASCAR family as a dream come true.

When it was time for me to go, everyone at the table separately invited me to a race of my choice - and offered me, as they put it, "the A+ VIP treatment" - which include tickets to a race and a tour of the pits - needless to say I will take them up on their very generous offer. Thank you Jaimie. Thank you Jimmie. - and thank you NASCAR - I will see you at the Ford 400 at the Homestead Speedway in Miami, Florida.

Gentlemen - start your engines!

Check out Paul's Pictures from his "Checkered Flag Day"
Also check out this article from NASCAR.com!