Everyone's favorite pit reporter comes from good racing stock

[Editor's note: Reader Carol Fitzgerald continues her look at NASCAR figures past and present.]

But for two letters, Wendy Venturini's name would be a vital feature of a carburetor. (A venturi is a constricted area in the air passage of a carburetor, which causes a reduction in pressure resulting in fuel vapor being drawn out of the carburetor.) Somehow, considering the path her life has taken, that seems appropriate.

Wendy's dad Bill and her brother Billy have both raced in the Arca/ReMax series, where dad was rookie of the year in 1983 and series champion in 1987 and 1991. These days Bill Sr. owns Venturini Motorsports, where Joey Logano spent some of his development time for Joe Gibbs Racing.

By her own account, Wendy always knew she wanted to do her thing in television. She graduated in a mere threee years from college. while spending time on the side as an intern at NBC in Charlotte. She earned degrees in Media Production and Psychology and a minor in Journalism. So she can whip up her own story, produce it and psychoanalyze her interviewees, all at the same time!

Wendy's list of accomplishments is long, and includes the singular honor of having been the first woman ever to call an entire race from the booth. These days she spends time with her own feature on SPEED's RaceDay, The Real Deal, and as a pit/garage reporter, where the guys clearly know she's not just another bobblehead. Earlier this year, she took a spin around a dirt track with Ray Evernham. Check it out here:

Wendy's guests on The Real Deal have included everyone from Tony Stewart to Joey Logano to Jeff Gordon to Richard Childress. Check it out this week as Wendy speaks with Jimmie Johnson. On her Twitter feed, Wendy noted this week that she's also filmed a feature about "crew chiefs working w/ 'high-profile' drivers (or some fans may call it 'high maintenance' drivers ... haha)." NASCAR RaceDay runs before every race on SPEED.

Wendy Venturini [Official Site]