No Chocolate and a Championship

January’s the time to start fresh. Many vow to lose weight in the New Year. Smokers start to quit, shoppers cut up the credit cards and workaholics put the family first.

New Year’s resolutions are spreading faster than a rumor in the Cup garage — Red Bull Racing Team included. One crewman, No. 82 jack man Trey Burklin, simply plans to “get new roommates.” Gas man Mike Metcalf promises to “rock out on the guitar.”

No. 83 driver Brian Vickers shot back that his resolution was to “win races and the Sprint Cup championship” in 2009. A PC response? Nah. Vickers really does want to dethrone Jimmie Johnson.

Teammate Scott Speed, an admitted sucker for sweets, isn’t immune to the traditional resolution. He’ll be eliminating chocolate. It was his way of saying that he’s gotten “fat,” even though he’s a lean athlete and never puts a bad thing in his body.

“I’ve gained, like, two pounds,” Speed said. “So no chocolate. Nothing that’s not healthy.”