Deal!

My parents have Deal or No Deal on in the living room, and the contestant happens to be a NASCAR fan. Everytime the show has come across such fans, they do something NASCAR-themed as though their interest is so exotic it defines them. It doesn't. I knew more about NASCAR at age four than they ever will.

The third offer (15 suitcases chosen) was the lowest offer yet in terms of immediate cash ($30,000), but the banker threw in a special NASCAR package. The package includes: a trip to the 2009 Daytona 500, hang out with Jimmie Johnson (two-time defending Sprint Cup champion), ride in the pace car, $2,000 to spend at the NASCAR.com online store, and a helmet signed by all Cup drivers. I think I am forgetting something, but that right there is enough to make me leave.

As you should know by now, I have constant dreams about NASCAR... merchandise. With $2,000, you could buy 200 fancy 1/64th-scale diecasts (the little ones) or 30 1/24th-scales (bigger). I could get racing jackets and all sorts of stuff. Of course, I could get that with the 30k...

Tickets to the Daytona 500 are a big deal, but getting to hang out with possibly the greatest driver of this generation (other than Jeff Gordon, of course) and ride in the pace car is the deal-breaker. It would be like meeting the Red Sox during the World Series and throwing the opening pitch. It's big news.

The helmet should speak for itself. It's sort of like getting a game ball signed by the entire team.

The man's wife started guilt-tripping him, and of course he could push for much higher than 30k. He declined the offer and lost the opportunity. The wife later on called for him to accept the deals offered to him, but he kept pushing on. It aggravated her. I think it's funny.

The man, very generous, just opened his last big money case and will be walking away with $10,000. It's a good thing I'm not him. I'd be arrested for domestic abuse.