1on1: Monica Palumbo

You see her every Sunday in Victory Lane. Standing right next to the winning driver as he gets out of his car after a grueling victory is Miss Sprint Cup -- the return of the "trophy girl" made popular in the '70s and '80s.

The role has changed -- and for the better. For Miss Sprint Cup, it's not just about kissing the driver on the cheek after his win; there are appearances, interviews, product selling, fan interaction and a host of other demands during a race weekend.

But did you know there are two Miss Sprint Cups? Anne-Marie Rhodes and Monica Palumbo fill the role each week. Atlanta was Monica's weekend, and she spent time with NASCAR.COM to discuss her job, the fans and her future.

Getting to know ...

Miss Sprint Cup
Monica Palumbo

Favorite TV show

"The First 48"

Favorite movie

"Legends of the Fall"

Favorite book

"Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert

Most played on your iPod

John Mayer

Favorite driver

Martin Truex Jr.

Most important cause

Breast Cancer Awareness

Advice to young girls

Follow your dreams, have good morals and stay true to yourself

Q: How did you get the job of Miss Sprint Cup?

Palumbo: I was living in North Carolina and I pursued acting for a while and moved out to California. I moved back to North Carolina and signed with a talent agency in the state and then got a job interview with Octagon Sports. Basically, it's like an interview you would go to, a sit-down interview and that's all it was and here I am.

Q: Are you a fan of NASCAR?

Palumbo: I am. Absolutely. I was born and raised in Charlotte, N.C., where you're kind of surrounded by it so I grew up around it. I never really became a huge fan until the past few years, especially with this being my job. I've definitely become a fan and there are days I'm not at the track and I'm glued to the TV wondering what's going on? I hate when I'm not there.

Q: The only time we really see you is in Victory Lane but there has to be more to your job than that. What's a race weekend like for Miss Sprint Cup?

Palumbo: Everyone asks me, 'Do you just stand there and smile in Victory Lane?' But actually I have a huge role. This weekend I spent a majority of my time at the Sprint Experience at the fairground, interacting with the fans, getting them close to Sprint and letting them know what Sprint products we have and what's going on. I also moderate Q&As with the drivers. For example, I went out to the chalet and interviewed Kurt Busch. I'm at driver intros, I do suite appearances; so I bounce around.

Q: Obviously interacting with the fans is a huge part of your job, any crazy fan stories you can share?

Palumbo: You get a lot of men that want to take pictures and as the person is snapping the shot they try to get a kiss in on the cheek and I'm like, 'Ah, take me to dinner first.' But nothing too crazy, it's all in good fun and I love it. When in my life am I ever going to be able to do this again?

Q: Drivers clamor to get to Victory Lane but you're there on a weekly basis. Do you ever get bored seeing the same celebrations week in and week out?

Palumbo: Heck no, that is the best part of the weekend. I'm always looking forward to Victory Lane. The interview there is great; everyone is so excited to be there. You know, you get to be doused with champagne. It's amazing and I love it.

Q: What's been your favorite moment at the track as Miss Sprint Cup?

Palumbo: I don't know, I can't name just one. I think it's being able to be up close and personal to all these fans and the drivers and actually being in the infield and in the pits and having that one-on-one experience. I have to say I do enjoy standing on pit road when they sing the national anthem and the jets fly over -- I always get chills and that's a great experience.

Q: Before you were Miss Sprint Cup you wore a different crown as Miss North Carolina 2001. Tell me about that experience and about your time in the Miss USA pageant?

Palumbo: I was never a pageant girl; I didn't grow up doing pageants. I decided I wanted to do it when I was in college -- I thought it would get me further in the entertainment industry. So I did it; it was my first time, I was the youngest girl and I just happened to win, I don't know how. At Miss USA, I placed 15th and I won Miss Congeniality and I did a tour with Sandra Bullock through Warner Bros. promoting the movie Miss Congeniality.

It was a great experience. I wouldn't change that for the world but I wouldn't do another pageant again. Once you do it and you get it out of your system you gotta use it as a stepping stone.

Q: Where do you hope to see yourself after your Miss Sprint Cup days, any TV or movies in your future?

Palumbo: I would love to stick with sports. Since I've been involved with NASCAR I've grown to actually love it, I love being at the track. I would love to stay involved, maybe be a pit reporter if that's in my future; I think that would be amazing.