Answer this...

Driving home the domestication of this...

The domestication of this generation of NASCAR drivers is moving full speed ahead. The NASCAR family has grown since last season.  Here's a quick recap of happenings on the domestic front.

   Penn Joseph Sauter                Garrett Robert Gordon

NEW ADDITIONS

Lucky #13
Johnny Sauter and wife Cortney welcomed their first son, Penn Joseph (PIC), on January 13th. Johnny is the driver of the #13 Thor Sport Racing truck in the Camping World series. With any luck, their number will bring them success in the rain-delayed running of the NextEra Energy Resources 250 tonight, Penn's one month birthday.

#7, It's A 'G' Thing, Baby
Athena Barber gave birth to Garrett Robert Gordon (PIC) on January 28th. This lil' one looks just like his namesake -- and he's built for speed with racing in both mom's and dad's genes and a solid racing name: Garrett Gordon. Reserve the #7. For G, of course.

HOT BUNS IN THE OVEN

Several drivers and a fan favorite crew member are expecting:

• Carl Edwards and Kate - Annie arrived February 24!
• Elliott Sadler and Amanda - Wyatt arrived February 15!
• Jimmie Johnson and Chandra - due in July
• Juan Pablo Montoya and Connie - due in July
• Jeff Gordon and Ingrid - due in August
• TJ Majors and Tamela

Carl and Kate are hoping the baby hangs in there 'til he gets home from Daytona. "She's got her legs crossed, and I've got my fingers crossed." [SBnation.com] Four-time champion Jimmie Johnson says he'll miss a race if necessary to be present for the birth. [NYTimes.com]

Celebrating the union of this...

Newlyweds Johnny and Cortney Sauter cut their wedding cake, Dec. 15, 2007
(Photo Courtesy of Cream City Photography, Milwaukee)

Congrats again to the happy couple! Click here to see more photos from the Johnny Sauter and Cortney Owen wedding album.

Sauter proposes to this...

On Thursday, NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Johnny Sauter proposed to longtime girlfriend Cortney Owen. She happily accepted his proposal and the two are engaged to be married. The Wisconsin natives, who met at a motorsports charity banquet in January 2004, have been dating since 2005.

Johnny, who made his NASCAR debut in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2001, currently pilots the Haas/CNC Racing #70 Chevrolet in the Nextel Cup Series. His team currently sits in the coveted 35th owner points position.

The future bride, a former Miss Wisconsin USA and graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, is currently employed by Co-Pilott Motorsports Marketing serving as Public Relations Manager for Menards Racing and driver, Paul Menard.

Wedding plans have not yet been determined.

Congratulations to them!

This... is Cortney Owen

Cortney Kathleen Owen, 28, is the girlfriend of NASCAR Nextel Cup driver Johnny Sauter. The two met in January 2004 at the Wisconsin Motorsports Charity Banquet, where Johnny was an honoree. They reconnected in 2005 when Johnny became the driver for Team Yellow Racing. As the Public Relations manager for the No. 1 Busch Series team, Cortney was responsible for Johnny's daily media activities and sponsor commitments. The couple began dating later in 2005. 

Cortney is known to many reality TV fans as a contestant on TBS's 2004 reality dating series "Outback Jack," which featured twelve 'high-maintenance' women vying for the affections of Australian native Vadim Dale. Cortney was the 9th to be eliminated.

Courtney attended the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater where she became a member of Alpha Sigma, the oldest sorority on campus and in the state of Wisconsin. She was involved with a vocational industries program for Students Organized for Service and served on the Pan Hellenic Council. She also participated in a diversity study for the political science department. In 2001, she graduated with honors degrees in public relations and political science.

Fresh out of college, she took a job at GMR Marketing in New Berlin, Wis. as a marketing manager for the Miller Lite Champ Car racing program.

In October 2001, she was crowned Miss Wisconsin USA and competed in the 2002 Miss USA program. During her reign as Miss Wisconsin she made appearances throughout the state and dedicated her time to breast cancer research and awareness.

In February of 2003, she joined Slinger Speedway as the director of public relations for the World's Fasted Quarter Mile Paved Oval.

Then in 2004, she shipped out to Australia for the Outback Jack series. Upon her return she spent several months working for NBC Television before going back to her public relations roots as the publicist for Team Yellow Racing.

Cortney moved off of the Yellow Racing program in 2006 when she was offered a position with Co-Pilott Motorsports Marketing. She is currently the Public Relations Manager for Menards Racing and driver, Paul Menard.   

Cortney lives in Huntersville, N.C. with her sister, Leslie, and dog Sydney. Her hobbies include travel, reading, playing tennis and walking her dog in Jetton Park. She is the daughter of Francis and Terry Owen of Muskego, Wis.

Titles/Affiliations
Junior Miss
Miss Wisconsin 2002
Miss Wisconsin 2001 Runner-Up and Miss Congeniality
Alpha Sigma Sorority Member

More links on this...
Cortney's "Outback Jack" Videos: Date Elimination Exit Interview
More "Outback Jack" Video Clips

JOHNNY AND CORTNEY SAUTER