On the line: Kevin VanDam – The Daytona Beach News-Journal

By GODWIN KELLY, Motorsports editor send an email to godwin.kelly@news-jrnl.com

June 25, 2010 12:05 AM

VanDam is one of the most decorated bass fishing champions in the nation. One week after Jamie McMurray won the 2010 Daytona 500, VanDam won the Bass Masters Classic in Birmingham, Ala. The Classic, which VanDam has captured three times, is the “Daytona 500 of bass fishing.” The two men have the same primary sponsor, Bass Pro Shops. VanDam was in town Tuesday to help promote the July 3 Coke Zero 400 Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway. McMurray and VanDam went bass fishing, then raced go-karts as part of the media opportunity. Motorsports editor Godwin Kelly talked to VanDam during a break between fishing and racing sessions.

Jamie said his life changed after winning the Daytona 500. Did your life change after winning that big fishing tournament?

“The Bass Masters Classic is the biggest event in our sport. You qualify for it during the season before and it kicks off our season, just like the Daytona 500 kicks off NASCAR each season. It's not a points event. It's an all-or-nothing type event. This past year was special. Two years before, I was leading going into the final day and ended up third. Anybody will tell you that the first time you win a championship, it's huge. There's nothing like it. The second time is better. Jimmie Johnson will tell you his fourth championship was better than his third. For me it was special.”  Click link below for full story!

via On the line: Kevin VanDam – Racing.