Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Saturday

Interview With Jerry Nadeau

Aired August 24, 2002 - 12:47   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: From the fields of green out there to the racetrack. In East Tennessee, some newlyweds took the fast track to the altar this morning, literally. They were married on the start/finish line at the Bristol Motor Speedway in a mass wedding organized by speedway officials there.
There it is right there. It came just hours before the start of the Winston Cup Sharpie 500. With us now from Bristol Motor Speedway is NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau, who served as the best man for all of those couples.

Hi, there, Jerry.

JERRY NADEAU, NASCAR DRIVER: How you doing?

WHITFIELD: So, over a dozen couples, out there, who all decided to get married on the start/finish line. Let's put it as the start line, starting new lives together. You were the best man for all of them. Describe what happened out there this morning.

NADEAU: Obviously, I've got a lot of friends out there.

WHITFIELD: Yeah?

NADEAU: They all decided to get married at Bristol Motor Speedway. But really it was all in all, a good time. Georgia Pacific got involved with the program. We came just out here and they needed a best man. So, I decided to support it.

Obviously, we had nine happy couples after the weddings got over with. It was a lot of fun. You know, I never have been a best man, but I'm going to be the best man for the first time in December this year, so at least I got a head start.

WHITFIELD: Oh, congratulations. Oh, great. So this was kind of like a little trial run for you, then.

NADEAU: It's a trial run. But I think I might have made the Guinness Book of World Records, too.

WHITFIELD: So, how often does this happen where they have these organized, mass weddings on the racetrack, there? Is this a first?

NADEAU: I don't know. All I know, is when I got married I got married in the Bahamas and I was by myself with my wife. Obviously, these people came out here to the racetrack. They support us 100 percent. Without these race fans we wouldn't be here.

All in all, it was a lot of fun. These people were excited. They made me sign their shirts, their jacket, bouquet of flowers. And it was just a good time.

WHITFIELD: So, did you give these folks any advice? You know, the best man always has to kind of give a little advice to -- the groom particularly, but how about both the groom and bride this time around?

NADEAU: Really, the only advice I gave them was to drive hard and turn left. That's basically what we do here at Bristol Motor Speedway. Hopefully, they all can stay intact and have a good marriage down the road.

WHITFIELD: Oh, well that's very fun. So, I suppose a lot of brides and grooms may be spending part of their honeymoon right there at the racetrack, since the racing will be getting under way momentarily.

NADEAU: Yes, actually, the race gets under way in about five or six hours. They're probably out just having a good time, eating a lot of food, and enjoying the time here at Bristol. It's great weather. I'm sure they're going to see a lot of sparks tonight at the speedway.

Hopefully we can come out on top in the Georgia Pacific, number 44 Dodge, for the Petty Enterprise (ph) racing team. Just looking to have a good time. It's going to be a lot of fun, a lot of race fans. Hopefully, we'll have a good day.

WHITFIELD: So, you're going to be on the track a little bit later today. All of this wedding business won't be a distraction for you in any way?

NADEAU: No, no distractions. I mean, we got a pretty easy day today. You know, a night race you get pretty much all day to yourself. Besides doing interviews with you guys, I've got to do an autograph session for the souvenir trailer. Do a couple more question & answer appearances. Then basically we have our drivers meeting at 6 o'clock, then we get ready for the race at 7 o'clock tonight.

WHITFIELD: All right. Well, best of luck to you. You don't need luck. So, best wishes to you out there.

NADEAU: All right.

WHITFIELD: And have a great time. Thanks for joining us. Best, too, all of the couples if you see them again.

NADEAU: I will, thanks.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks a lot.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com