What's Up For The Weekend With NASCAR VP Jim O'Connell

NASCAR VP/Corporate Marketing Jim O'Connell

Ever wonder how executives in sports business spend their weekends? THE DAILY this week continues, "What's Up For The Weekend," providing readers with an inside look at people in our industry. This week, we catch up with NASCAR VP/Corporate Marketing JIM O'CONNELL, who chatted with Staff Writer Jessica Collins about what he likes to do on the weekend.

Q: What are your plans for the weekend?

O'Connell: Spending time with my wife and two children. Like many of us, given work travel and long hours in the office, I don't spend as much time with them during the week as I would like to. As a result, weekends when I'm home -- and not at a NASCAR race -- are very important.

Q: What is one thing you always try to make time for on the weekend?

O'Connell: In addition to the family time, I always want to exercise, catch up on sleep and try to get my life in order for the coming week -- unpack/pack for trips, organize work to-do's, etc. It is nice to get things crossed off the to-do list on the weekend.

Q: What is your weekend exercise routine?

O'Connell: I try to take a couple of long runs. It helps make up for some poor eating on the road and it also helps clear my mind. 

Q: What is a weekend must read and watch?

O'Connell: If I'm not there in person, I watch NASCAR racing. I also watch shows I've TiVo'd from the week -- "Modern Family," "30 Rock," "The Office." I read the Wall Street Journal and New York Times. Also, I just received a copy of ANDREW GIANGOLA's "The Weekend Starts on Wednesday." It is a collection of stories about amazing NASCAR fans.