It starts with one girl . . . Danica.

While other women have preceded Danica Patrick behind the wheel, including
Ethel Flock, Louise Smith, Janet Guthrie, Lyn St James, Denise McCluggage, Pattie Moise, Shirley Muldowney and others,
. . . none have done so with the media fanfare that Danica brings to motorsports.

Motorsports is no longer just a "Good ol’ Boys Club" and it’s fitting that another woman is credited for crafting Danica’s NASCAR deal. Kelley Earnhardt Elledge, President and co-owner of JR Motorsports, is the one responsible for negotiating the terms of Danica’s deal. It’s a fun fact that in a sport mocked by its critics as backward-looking, the hottest new team in NASCAR has at its center two women: Danica Patrick behind the wheel and Kelley Earnhardt behind the scenes.

Among all the clutter and controversy that a personality such as Danica Patrick brings to racing, she also brings the brilliant klieg lights of a voraciously hungry media and a challenged motorsport industry eager to produce exciting news. The benefit of this new media attention is not to be underestimated as other women drivers will also either gain momentum or risk diminution from the “Danica spotlight”.

Danica’s performance both on and off the track directly impacts all the women in motorsports today. Talented and ambitious women such as Alli Owens, Megan Reitenour, Tiffany Daniels, Ana Beatriz, Simona de Silvestro, Pippa Mann,Colbi Bradley, Natalie Fenaroli, Kate and Diana Harker, Kristin Bumbera, Natalie Sather and so many others, who share and respect the struggles and sacrifices Danica experienced, are eager to find their spotlight and sponsorship deals. We trust that talent will trump tramp stamps in Danica’s future media campaigns and that her new team ensures that future glossy photo shoots represent the best of the past, present and future for women in racing.

As the media frenzy surrounding Danica represents, there is a shifting trend in motorsports – finally – as racing circuits, race teams, track owners and the media begin to recognize the “Power of the Purse”.

Savvy motorsports marketers know that women make the buying decisions and control the family checkbook in 85% of American households. One in three women in the U.S. are avid race fans; they have an average household income of $58,000. With 240 million female race fans worldwide, race circuits, track owners and advertisers are eager to influence women’s $7 Trillion in consumer spending, embrace and engage a previously underserved fan base, energize ticket sales and combat their ageing fan base dilemma.

In addition to the Danica deal, the 2010 season brings
an important new emphasis on the
women fueling motorsports today.
Exciting developments include:

 The FIA has established a new 10 member commission for women in motorsports and appointed former rally driver, Michele Mouton, president. Organized by the governing International Automobile Federation, the commission’s goal is to facilitate the full participation of women in all aspects of motor sport and set in place strategies and policies that will promote the education and training of women in motorsports.  

The American Karting Association (AKRA) and Track Chic will spearhead a National Merit Badge Award for the Girl Scouts USA . AKRA’s program titled “Girls’ N Gears” uses karting to teach girls self-confidence, self-esteem, mathematics, introductory engineering, physics, self-discipline, team work, competitive spirit, etc. 

In collaboration with The Henry Ford, Lyn St James will debut a traveling exhibit at the Daytona 500 Experience February 2010. Titled “Women in the Winner’s Circle”, the exhibit will travel to ten U.S. destinations and pay tribute to the history of women in motor sports, their achievements and the growing future of women in motor sports.

Plans are also in the works for an all Female NASCAR Craftsman Truck Team to debut second half 2010.

Motorsports is about so much more than belly buttons and beer.

This is an exciting time for women as they shift the gears of the motorsports machine.
This unprecedented media momentum may start with one girl, Danica,
but it augurs well for all the women around the globe
sharing a passion for
Speed, Style and Sisterhood.

2010 is the start of great things to come!
Go Girls!

Images compliments of
Jason Smith Getty Images
JRMotorsports
www.DaleJr.com
Corporate references, logos, etc., are the property of their respective companies

and may be trademarked or copyrighted and owned by their respective companies.

ALMS: Female Friendly, Fan Friendly, Global Leader in Green Racing

American Le Mans Series: To Tomorrow. Faster 
. . . a mantra that resonates with women!

Inspired by the ultimate endurance test for man and machine – the 24 hours of Le Mans – the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) is considered the hottest racing series in North America. The series attracts some of the best drivers and most technologically advanced racing machines in the world.

ALMS has a commitment to driving progress through innovative, relevant and environmentally responsible motorsport competition that is worthy of the series’ rich heritage, world-class competitors and the devotion of race fans worldwide.

Speed with safety, style and amenities, supportive family-friendly crews and spectators make this sport particularly appealing to women. The Petit Le Mans, the series annual flagship event held at Road Atlanta, is a 4-day road racing festival comprised of 9 different racing series and 12 thrilling races including the legendary Petit Le Mans 1,000-mile/10-hour endurance race.

As with all ALMS events, this was a FAN FRIENDLY EVENT! All fans have unprecedented access to free driver autograph sessions and chats, tech talks, and an open paddock where they can mingle with the cars, drivers and race teams all week long. Minutes before the engines start, all fans are invited to come over the wall, walk the starting grid, meet the teams, ask questions, and wish them luck. Where else does that happen?

Obvious at the recent rain-soaked 12th running of the Petit Le Mans, were the number of women present as drivers, team owners, crew members and fans!

Melanie Snow – co-owner and winning driver of #56 Snow Racing Porsche 911 GT3 Challenge Cup Series (read: Track Chic’s Woman behind the Wheels)
Andrea Robertson – co-owner and driver Robertson Racing #40 Ford GTMK7 G2 Class
Elspeth, Lady Drayson – co owner and Team CEO #88 LM P1 Drayson Racing
Anna Hoye – Crew Member PrimeTime Race Group……
Susan Brown & Tessa Tape – Crew Members Risi Competzione Ferrari 430GT
Simona De Silvestro – driver and tied for points-leader in the Atlantic Championship Series powered by Mazda

ALMS connects their brand to race fans and auto enthusiasts through their core attributes: Relevant technology, Authentic Competition, and Green Racing Leadership.

As their 2010 logo attests, ALMS works closely with the EPA, DOE and SAE and earned the designation as “Leader l Green Racing”, a cause that women are committed to. More than going fast, women appreciate initiatives such as the Michelin Green-X Challenge that rewards those who goes the farthest, the fastest with the smallest impact on the environment.

Other ALMS partnerships include Green Earth Technologies G-Oil used as the official motor oil; Freescale, creators of semi-conductors and electronics that make cars greener; and, Yokohama ADVAN ENV-R1 orange oil–infused tires.

The series also supports the Nature Conservancy Adopt-An-Acre and Green Park program by planting trees in each race market.

This year, Dyson Racing debuted a unique ethanol-biobutanol blend at Petit Le Mans in the team’s LMP2 #16 Lola-Mazda. And Paul, Lord Drayson, UK’s Science Minister, driver and co-owner of Drayson Racing, announced his team’s commitment to campaign the #88 LMP1 Judd V10-powered Lola B09/60 for a full North American 2010 season using the sport as a catalyst to advance environmental technologies. Drayson Racing will use its Lola–Judd prototype as a test bed for environmentally forward-thinking and a dynamic platform to develop and advance new technologies for improved efficiency and performance.

Track Chics care deeply about Going Green–Faster!

We will be following these campaigns and sharing the teams’ struggles and successes as we all strive to be environmentally responsible, reduce our carbon footprint, and in the words of Crosby, Stills, Nash  and Young …”teach our children well”.
Stay tuned for updates!

THE ELEGANT LADY RETURNS TO AMERICAN LE MANS … JAGUAR IS BACK!

THE FIRST LADY OF RACING, JANET GUTHRIE, turned wrenches on her 1953 Jaguar XK 120 coupe and campaigned the elegant machine back in the early 1960s. At the beginning of 1963 she acquired a 1956 Jaguar XK 140 roadster to begin her Sports Car Club of America career as a professional race car driver. I’ve always cringed at the stories in her book, Janet Guthrie: A Life at Full Throttle of trading paint, banging and bashing during aggressive gymkhanas and hill climb competitions. Determined to arrive first at the finish line, Guthrie did not mind the repair work required afterword. Janet Guthrie shared as much admiration for her Jaguar as her beloved machine did for the courageous woman piloting behind the wheel.

Jaguar has been involved in motorsport since the company was founded by Sir William Lyons in 1922. The Coventry-based luxury car manufacturer has seven times won the world's toughest endurance race at Le Mans. Jaguar has twice been World Sports Car Champions, and in 1956 the company won both Le Mans and the Monte Carlo Rally in the same year.

The roll call of drivers who have raced Jaguars reads like a Who's Who of motorsport. In the 1950s, Mike Hawthorn, Paul Frere, Duncan Hamilton and Stirling Moss were regulars with the Jaguar team. Jackie Stewart (and his brother Jimmy), Sir Jack Brabham, Briggs Cunningham, Graham Hill and others all drove Jaguars during their successful racing careers.

But in my mind, Jaguar and Janet Guthrie are one and the same – elegant, sophisticated, determined, capable, tenacious – and represent the refined beauty of motorsports.

I was privileged to join executives from ACO (Automobile Club De l’Ouest), American Le Mans, Yokohama, Bosch Motorsport ECU at Road Atlanta during the Petit Le Mans as Paul Gentilozzi, RSR team owner and Connell John O’Donnell, Global Marketing Director for Jaguar proudly announced Jaguar’s return to the American Le Mans Series.

The body work features a design that is based on the Jaguar XKR and was completed in the Jaguar Advance Design Studio headed by chief designer Iam Callum. The body has undergone intensive computation fluid dynamic work, known as CFD, by the Jaguar aerodynamics department. Information from the CFD was then incorporated in the finished body work which was made in clay at the RSR facility. Over 1100 man hours were spent during the clay process. The carbon fiber composite body work was molded and produced by a local company in Michigan and conforms to the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) guidelines.

“The end result is a GT2 car that contains the DNA and the spirit of the Jaguar Design Department and the production car" comments Gentilozzi.

A five time Trans-Am Series Champion, Gentilozzi will wear multiple hats for the team, as not only the owner but also one of the three drivers designated to run at the Petit Le Mans. He will be joined with Sports car veterans American Scott Pruett and Belgian Marc Goossens. During the testing and development process these seasoned drivers will play a key role in getting the Jaguar XKR up to speed for a strong fight in 2010.

Gentilozzi’s relationship with Jaguar dates back to 2000 when he built and raced Jaguar XKRs in the North American Trans-Am Series. In their tenure together, 66 starts were made, 31 of those resulted in team wins with an additional four victories by chassis/customer cars. This led to five Manufacturers’ and five Drivers’ Championships from 2000-2006 with Paul Gentilozzi, Scott Pruett and Klaus Graf. The Jaguar XKR was also entered in the famed 24 Hours of Daytona, where it earned the pole and win in the GTS Class in 2002.

The Jaguar XKR will compete for a full American Le Mans Series season 2010. It is hard to believe that William Lyons original production of sidecars for motorcycles in the 1920s has grown to this Beautiful Jaguar XKR Beast of a racing machine for ALMS 2010. But grown she has; the Lady is back and she is “track chic”!

… ahhh, if only there were a woman behind the wheel… soon

JUDGING A BOOK BY ITS COVER … AND THE STORY OF THE BUGATTI QUEEN’S DETERMINED CHAMPION, SHERYL GREENE

I first learned of Sheryl Greene in Indianapolis this July while attending the Lyn St James Women in the Winner’s Circle Awards Ceremony with other motorsports executives. Her fascination with women in motorsports was recently sparked by an interesting book cover she spotted in a favorite bookshop in Atlanta’s quaint Little Five Points neighborhood.

The book, “The Bugatti Queen, In Search of a French Racing Legend”, by Miranda Seymour, (www.mirandaseymour.com ), explores the life and times of a forgotten Speed Demon, Helle Nice, a French born trapeze artist and co-star of Maurice Chevalier who abandoned her perch at the fashionable Casino de Paris for the danger of the racing circuit.

A fortunate relationship with French car maker, Jean Bugatti, fueled Helle’s racing career. Whether the relationship was romantic or merely friendly, no one is certain. Nonetheless, Bugatti was impressed by Helle Nice’s skill and agreed to lend her the Bugatti in December 1929 to compete in a 10-mile race near Paris. She successful clocked an amazing 118 miles per hour.

Eventually, Helle bought the Bugatti in March 1930, for $1,600 -- the original invoice, for 40,000 francs, is pasted into a collector’s scrapbook -- and spent the next four seasons behind its wheel as one the world's few female grand prix drivers.

Sheryl was intrigued, absorbed (hmmm, and maybe delightfully obsessed?) by the Bugatti Queen’s fast-paced story and in a “Julie & Julia” fashion, followed along as Helle’s career travels to scores of exotic places, like Monte Carlo, Rio and Casablanca, and to some of the world’s most famous racetracks, setting records that still stand today. But after decades of excitement and adventure, Helle Nice fell into obscurity. Having once lived in a fashionable residence in Paris and being the toast of the town, Helle died broken and penniless. She is buried in an unmarked grave/crypt outside Paris, France.

Not at all happy with the ending to this story, Sheryl is determined to pay tribute to this racing pioneer. What started as a lighthearted summer read has now transformed into Sheryl's life mission. She has single-handedly formed a non-profit organization to honor “The Fastest Women in the World” and promote global gender equality in racing through education and funding for women in motorsports.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Helle Nice’s death, and it is the intention of the Helle Nice Foundation to officially mark her final resting place and pay tribute to a woman who dedicated her adult life to auto racing in a sport with very few women. The plan is to have the grave marker placed in the Fall of 2010 at her gravesite outside Paris, France.

Sheryl is planning fun car rallies throughout the US and Europe as well as Vintage Bugatti and Exotic Car Shows and other unique fundraising events. Want to get involved? If you, or perhaps your car club, want to show your support for Speed, Style & Sisterhood and the forgotten Bugatti Queen, contact:

The Helle Nice Foundation, Inc.
Sheryl A. Greene
Email: hellenicefoundation@gmail.com
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/11/4b3/662
404-429-9600

UPDATE!
READ THIS BEAUTIFUL UPDATE OF SHERYL's VISIT TO FRANCE, the emotions she shared meeting Helle's family, visiting the church gravesite and her plans with friends, family and supporters for the  Hellé Nice Project this autumn:
 1. To raise, with their help, $5,000 to create and place a marker on the racer’s grave in the village of Sainte Mesme, France;
2. To organize a rally of historic cars and motorcycles from Paris to the village of Sainte Mesme on the day of the ceremony; then to have the drivers and all interested persons attend the ceremony and unveiling of the marker.

Click here to read the story in VeloceToday.

RESPECT. HOPE. OPPORTUNITY. PREPARATION

Track Chic was privileged to celebrate THE SEVENTH ANNUAL WOMEN IN THE WINNER's CIRCLE AWARDS CEREMONY with Lyn St. James, a special tribute to the significant accomplishments and bright future for women in racing. It was great to see favorite Track Chics from prior years, including Megan Reitenour, Tiffany Daniels, Samantha Taylor, Brandie Jass and Natalie Fenaroli and share their success stories from the last time we met.

Many new faces were visible at this year’s awards ceremony, including Alesi Gerthe, the 2008 highest nationally ranked female in IHRA Quick Rod, and Simona de Silvestro who currently holds the points lead in the Mazda Atlantic Championship Series.

All women shared that same fierce determination to succeed in the sport they love … and their parents shared immense pride for their daughters’ enormous accomplishments. Their stories were inspiring and illustrated just how far women have come in motorsports today.

It was equally inspiring to be surrounded by the support of notables in the industry, including Mike Helton, President NASCAR, Tom Compton, President NHRA, John Saunders, President International Speedway Corp., Joie Chitwood, then President of Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Max Siegel, The 909 Group/NASCAR Drive For Diversity Program, and so many others. Their commitment and support will help change the face of the future of motorsports.

While currently the number of female drivers competing in the elite series is limited, we are making progress. Although NASCAR currently has no women racing in the Sprint Cup Series, there are some real powerhouses coming up through the ranks, with Laura Hayes, Emily Sue Steck, Katie Hagar, Megan Reitenour, Tiffany Daniels, Natalie Sather and Mackena Bell currently tearing up the tracks with NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity program.

IndyCar boasts three women behind the wheels: Sarah Fisher, Danica Patrick and Milka Duno. Of the three, only Danica Patrick races full time. However, Sarah Fisher has made history as the first female to drive and own an IRL team. It was great to talk with Sarah at the ceremony; she is a role model - as both an athlete and an entrepreneur - for so many women competing today.

NHRA, however, has been putting women in the winner’s circle for decades. NHRA boasts 43 women who have raced in the top series since the 1970’s, with 11 pickup wins in the top tier of Drag Racing. Two of the series most recognizable faces are women, Ashley Force Hood and Hillary Will. Thirty years ago, it was Shirley Muldowney that became the first in the top drag racing series to capture three consecutive season titles. "She did that before any man had done that," said veteran NHRA Driver Melanie Troxel, also attending the event. "I think we were a little ahead of other motorsports."

The LSJ Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation remains dedicated to continuing to train, advocate and educate for diversity in racing. To date, the Foundation has trained more than 250 women drivers from 38 states and five countries through their Driver Development Academy. With a commitment to Respect, Hope, Opportunity and Preparation, there will be many, many more. To learn more about how you can participate, visit: http://www.lynstjames.com

 

LIFE IS SHORT. RACE HARD. LIVE GREEN.

LEILANI MUNTER is a self proclaimed vegetarian, hippie chick racer who lives by the mantra:

“Life is short. Race hard. Live green."

Born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota, to a Hawaiian mother and German father, Leilani combines the best of both heritages into her racing career and Eco Dream Team. The evolutionary path suits this “Carbon Free Girl” perfectly.

Leilani attended the University of California in San Diego and earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology. During her school years she worked as a model, and also started to race on the amateur SCCA race circuit. She was hooked. Her talents behind the wheel were obvious.

"My passionis racing. Biology would have been the secure, responsible choice but I went with my heart."

In 2007 Leilani became the fourth woman in history to race in the Indy Pro Series, the developmental league of IndyCar. She impressed the open wheel racing world when she qualified 5th for her debut. Sports Illustrated declared her “one of the top ten female drivers in the world”.

Blending her exotic, free-spirited instincts with the discipline and focus required of a professional race car driver, Leilani also fulfills her keen interest in science as “The Carbon Free Girl “and share’s her journey to be carbon neutral by purchasing an acre of rainforest for every race she runs to offset her carbon footprint. The mission of Leilani's Eco Dream Team is to send powerful messages to the number one spectator sport in America, calling to action 100 million race fans in the US to make a difference by spreading environmental awareness about sustainable living alternatives, clean energy, alternative fuel vehicles, and environmental legislation. Knowledge is power and Leilani wants to spread that power to the race fans. Additionally, Leilani hopes her efforts will encourage racing sanctioning bodies to increase their environmental initiatives with expanded recycling programs and the use of alternative fuels.

Track Chic talked with Leilani after her May 11th-13th competition in the Oslo, Norway Viking Rally Zero Emission Vehicles challenge, Stretching from Oslo to Stavenger, the road rally is a combination of hill climbs, slaloms and drag race competitions throughout Norway’s scenic southern and western coasts. His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon and Henning Solberg participated in the first leg of the competition. For zero emission vehicles only, the Viking Rally is proof that environmentalism can be fun.

"I was just enjoying the moment and having a lot of fun! The Viking Rally was a very cymbolic event bringing together people from all over the world to promte clean energy vehicles and it was wonerful to have so many high profile people attend and bring attention to it!"

The hydrogen fuel cell of Leilani’s 65kW Horsepower, hydrogen fuelled Ford Focus for Team Hunt & Carbon Free Girl has harmless emissions of pure water and heat … so pure that Leilani could drink the water from the exhaust!

"I did drink the water from my exhaust and yes,
it was a very powerful reality!
Exhaust so clean you can drink it!"

Meet LEILANI and learn more on www.TRACKCHIC.com …
(images courtesy of Leilani Munter, www.LeilaniMunter.com,
Richard Russel, Lake Norman Magazine)

BELLINIS, FLAPJACKS AND FRANKFURTERS!

Memorial Day Weekend is without a doubt one of my favorite weekends. Starting with racing’s pinnacle event, the Grand Prix de Monaco, it’s a champagne start to a weekend of non-stop racing … and food!

You can’t enjoy Monaco’s Grand Prix without first enjoying a few luscious Peach Bellinis from the famed Hotel Du Cap, in nearby Cap D’Antibes. Known for its celebrity clientele, gourmet menus and luxurious surroundings, Hotel du Cap sits only 17 miles from the picturesque Principality. With its winding narrow streets, hairpin turns, and elevation shifts, the Circuit de Monaco is considered the ultimate test of a driver’s skills. For the fans, the event is a blur of speed, sea views and celebrity – an event unmatched by any other.

How often do you mingle over cocktails with Robin Williams, John Travolta, Cuba Gooding, Jr., HRH Prince Albert and others – my husband even sang opera in the hotel’s mensroom with Paul Sorvino! This is the fun of Monaco’s Grand Prix, and the power of Hotel du Cap's famous Peach Bellinis!

Luckily, the drivers are tucked away quietly as they prepare for the biggest race of the season. It will be interesting to see if the miracle workers are able to pull off another win for Brawn GP that the Honda Team never could. I love it when the underdogs are victorious – and relieved that the “diffuser gang’s” technical regs comply with The FIA’s applicable regulations.

Back in the states the INDY 500 cranks its engines soon after the F1 Victor’s anthem is celebrated on the podium in Monaco – and you know what that means, PANCAKES!

In addition to the Indy 500’s famous “Flapjacks at the Track” the event bills itself as the “Greatest Spectacle in Tailgating”. Zillions of enthusiastic fans pride themselves in creative food (and drink!) concoctions. More exotic offerings include Mango Jalapeno Slaw and Barbecued Catfish Sandwiches, while aromas of Andouille Stuffed Porkloins, Mocha Java Rubbed Grilled Sirloins, and Hickory Smoked Ribs tempt the appetites of hungry fans. Don’t worry, there are also plenty of hot dogs, hamburgers and funnel cakes for the traditionalists ...

…but if it’s Hot Dogs that really rev your engine, nobody does it better than NASCAR! The Coca Cola 600 oval shaped quarter-mile grill at Lowe’s Motor Speedway this weekend definitely takes the checkered flag. Assembled on the racetrack’s frontstretch and pit road, the girl will be manned by celebrity chef and Food Network star, Tyler Florence, host of “Tyler’s Ultimate” and author of “Dinner at My Place” and “Stirring the Pot”. Joining Chef Florence will be some of NASCAR’s most popular drivers, including Clint Bowyer, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Petty and racing legend Bobby Allison.

Thousands of families will also celebrate speed and smorgasbords trackside at their favorite local dirt tracks, drag strips and Quarter Midget Tracks.

So “CHEERS!" to all the race fans and food fans!
This is our weekend for Track Chics to crank up the grills and cheer our favorite drivers to the finish line … no matter what track, country, circuit or driver … Memorial Day Race Weekend promises something for all the mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and faithful fans to celebrate our passion for Speed, Sisterhood and smokin' summertime grills!

Bon Appetit et Bon Courage!

(Images courtesy of Alpha-B-fr and Worth Canoy)

CHARLOTTE's SPEEDSTREET - THE UTLIMATE SPEEDWEEK EVENT

For more than 25 years, the 600 Festival Association has been commemorating the May races at Lowe’s Motor Speedway with spectacular family-oriented events.

Food Lion promises another great lineup again this year and will once again transform the streets of Uptown Charlotte May 21st-23rd into a showcase of motor sports and entertainers. Three stages are dedicated to autograph sessions with your favorite drivers, including Richard Petty, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, dynamic exhibits and non-stop musical performances.

Speedstreet really knows how to throw a party, best of all it’s free! What a great way to gear up for a fun race weekend, check out this schedule:

MILLER LITE STAGE SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 21st
6:30 PM Miller Lite’s Great Taste Music Series Country Champion
8:00 PM Bridgette Tatum
9:30 PM Miller Lite Presents: Jason Aldean

Friday, May 22nd
5:45 PM Simplified
7:15 PM Miller Lite’s Great Taste Music Series Rock Champion: Otherwoods
9:15 PM Miller Lite Presents: Lifehouse

Saturday, May 23rd
12:00 PM Doug Davis Band
2:00 PM Miller Lite’s Great Taste Music Series 3rd Place Winner: S.O. Stereo
4:00 PM Britt Price
6:00 PM Miller Lite’s Great Taste Music Series Runer Up: Another Day Falls
8:00 PM Green RIver Ordinance
9:30 PM Miller Lite Presents: Gavin DeGraw

COCA COLA STAGE SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 21st
12:00 PM Opening Ceremonies: Speedway Children’s Charities Check Presentation
6:15 PM Skate Rink Jukebox
7:45 PM Sound Riot
9:15 PM Coca Cola Presents: Bell Biv Devoe

Friday, May 22nd
7:00 PM “Trackside Live” on SPEED
8:00 PM Coca Cola Racing Family
9:30 PM Chevrolet Presents: Rodney Atkins

Saturday, May 23rd
12:00 PM Bobby Messano and NBO
1:45 PM Contagious Blues Band
3:45 PM McKenzies Mill
5:45 PM Girls Guns and Glory
7:45 PM Jonathon Sigleton and the Grove
9:15 PM Coca Cola Presents: Clint Black

WANT MORE?
UltimateRaceDay is hosting its inaugural SmashUp on Saturday, May 22nd at Dale Earnhardt, Jr’s Whiskey River at the EpiCentre in Charlotte. If you haven’t yet visited the Whiskey River, it’s a cool blend or rock and country music, VIP tables, mechanical bullriding, live music, DJs and more. The tweet-up starts at the Mechanical Bull bar from 6-9 pm … and then … ?

Join the movement, get on the mailing list at http://www.ultimateraceday.com
Founded by Stephanie Agresta (@stephagresta) and Chris McCaffrey (@chrismccaffrey) Ultimate Race Day creates a unique and highly visible networking and personal branding events by facilitating real world interaction and providing everything attendees need to blog and tweet the experience. Get ready race fans, it’s party time!

NHRA Racers rev up TEAM TROOPS - free race tickets for our troops!

These women do it best! Lucas Oil NHRA racers Tina Stull, Kate and Diana Harker, and Pro Stock Motorcyle’s Peggy LLewellyn representing the best of drag racing talent and patritotic gratitude. Working with the NHRA and track owners, these four lady drag racers are combining resources to host the troops and their families at NHRA events for free.

Their new intitiative, 'Tickets for Troops', is a free ticket program aimed at showing appreciation and support to local military members. Gearing up for this weekend’s racing at Houston Raceway Park, the program is designed to provide a day at the races from the racers perspective, by being invited into the pits and getting to talk to racers one on one, many troops will for the first time discover a love for racing.

"This is not about signing autographs and a two-second hello; we really want troops to hang out with us". And see what it takes to go racing. says Stull.

From the outside much of the day looks boring but as racers know that is all part of the timing that happens at a race. Much of the time the troops are in the stands watching NHRA's finest sportsman battle it out for points. But during the long days there is always times to take a break. It's during these times these racers can be seen talking with their guests, and sharing a typical day racing.

Houston Raceway Park has provided 5,000 tickets to be distributed to US Military members for Saturday and Sunday of the event. Ticket for Troops mission is to give the US Military members and their families a day at the race track that is adrenaline backed, fun, enjoyable and informative.

Team Troops will host a hospitality tent in Tina Stull Racing pit with plenty of give-a-ways and a place to meet the drivers, their teams and to get up close and personal with the ladies race machines

US Military are welcome to request tickets through www.tinastullracing.com or www.harkertwins.com for the Houston Raceway Park Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event across May 15-17.

How cool is that! Stay tuned for more to come!

Look who is talking! NASCAR Pit Reporter, Jamie Little

We all know Jamie Little as an action sports and motorsports reporter for ESPN, ESPN2, SPEED TV, NBC, TNN and ABC since 1998. As the NASCAR Pit Reporter for ESPN, Jamie is normally the one holding the microphone and talking with all our favorite drivers, including Dale Earnhardt, Jr., Tony Stewart, Kyle Busch, Clint Bowyer, Bobby Labonte and others. Jamie has the job that most women ... and men ... dream of.

The first female reporter on Motoworld, she has covered all things motorports, including MotoX Supercross, Motocross, BMX, Freestyle Dirt, XGames, Indy Car and Rally Car.

Jamie definitely lives life in the fast lane and is as competitive behind the wheels as the drivers she interviews. She not only took home five victories competing downhill mountain bikes in the “Sport” class, she also took top honors in the 2008 Fast & the Famous Toyota Pro/Celebrity Challenge edging out NASCAR Craftsman Truck Champion, Mike Skinner, by a mere 0.324 seconds.

Jamie generously took time to share her story with Track Chic even as she was preparing to catch a plane to Los Angeles for her 2009 Toyota Pro/Celebrity Racing school for the next four days. Excited about defending her 2008 Championship, she remembers the 2008 race as one of the best days of her life.

Growing up as an only child, a tomboy daughter raised by a single Mom, Jamie caught her passion for speed riding motorcycles with her dad as a very little girl. It’s been a long road from those early beginnings on the back of a motorcycle to the success she enjoys today. What impresses us most is how determined she was to reach her dreams, how focused and committed to following her heart.

Jamie generously shares her personal story with Track Chic, admitting that she didn’t stop to smell the roses along the way while pursuing her passion. Finally, she received word from ESPN that they wanted her to be their NASCAR Pit Reporter. She was in the middle of an airport when she received the news and, like so many of us, she broke down in tears.... read more.

What women do ...

Never doubt that a group of caring, committed women working together can make a difference.

Take NHRA fan, Track Chic Daneen Mayhue. We first met Daneen trackside at the Atlanta Dragway where she shared her story with us. Mother of a 3 month premature daughter, Kaylin weighed only 1 pound 9.4 ounces at birth. Daneen has fueled a team to March for Babies and raise money and help all babies to be born healthy. Premature birth is the #1 cause of newborn infant death and the biggest threat to babies' health today. The money raised helps fund research to determine why premature birth happens and what can be done to prevent it.

March for Babies takes place in more than 900 communities across the country. More than1 million people walk with their families or co-workers and March of Dimes ensures that 77 cents of every dollar raised goes directly to funding critical research.

Join Daneen Saturday morning, April 25th at Heritage Park in Canton, GA. Please join us if you can. If you can't join Daneen’s walk, please consider donating whatever your budget allows, $1, $5...any amount will be greatly appreciated. You can donate online: http://www.marchforbabies.org/mayhue

Or, visit http://www.marchforbabies.org and search for a walk scheduled in your area. Better yet, why not form your own team! Expect to run into some old friends and make new ones — and keep your eyes open for our celebrity walkers!
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Meet Track Chic Crew Chief, Barbara Bennett, a successful drag race competitor from Sarasota Florida. Barbara is a force to be reckoned with both on and off the track. To honor her mother, Beverly Bennett, who died from Ovarian Cancer, Barbara organized the annual Mom's Warriors in Pink Car Show and Health Fair.

Last summer, Barbara also lost her sister, Claire Tiling, to Breast Cancer. The efforts from Mom’s Warriors Car Show and Health Fair benefit the Florida Suncoast Affiliate Susan G Komen for the Cure and FORCE, Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered, which deals with Ovarian Cancer in its hereditary form, which is linked to Breast Cancer. The Health Fair also serves to inform the community about resources for cancer victims and their families in the community and to assist Breast Cancer and Ovarian Cancer victims in the local area.

The event promises to be a fun time with over 40 Trophies awarded, door prizes, and goody bags – and of course, great BBQ.
Join Mom’s Warriors:
April 18th, 2009
10am – 2pm
Sarasota Ford
707 Washington Blvd S
Sarasota, Florida 34236

Not from the area but still want to help?
Contact:
Barbara Bennett, Event Chairman
Moms Warriors in Pink Car Show and Health Fair
April 18, 2009
2611 Wells Ave
Sarasota, FL 34232
Tel: 941-371-6707
Fax: 941-378-4945

In Barbara’s words, “In Sisterhood, we all win”

This is who we are . . . we are Track Chic and we are Phenomenal!

Learn More: http://www.trackchic.com/charities/

Talent, Tramp Stamps and Missed Opportunities

What happened?
Years and years of women proving their credibility behind the wheels have just been undermined by a glossy photo shoot.

Danica Patrick, as talented as she is behind the wheel and as beautiful as may be in front of a camera, has sabotaged the struggles and sacrifices of the many young drivers competing today who look to Danica as a role model.

No one knows better than Danica how hard she struggled to get where she is today. Danica learned the intricacies of racing at a young age watching her father, TJ, race snowmbobiles, motocross and midget cars. She began go-karting in 1992 at Sugar River Raceway outside of Brodhead, Wisconsin and went on to win several national championships. Danica enrolled in the Lyn St. James Driver Development Program at the age of 14 and 15 and then moved to England at the age of 16 to advance her racing career. Focusing primarily on road racing, Patrick raced in several developmental open-wheel series while in Europe, including Formula Ford and Formula Vauxhall. Patrick earned a second-place finish in England's extremely competitive Formula Ford Festival, the highest-ever finish by either a woman or an American in the event.

On May 29, 2005, Patrick became only the fourth woman to compete in the Indianapolis 500, following Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James and Sarah Fisher. Also that year, Patrick, who was then a 23-year-old rookie, became the first woman to lead the Indianapolis 500.

And on April 20, 2008, Danica made history at Twin Ring Motegi in the Indy Japan 300 when she became the first woman to win an IndyCar race. And women stood with Danice to debunk the mostly male reporters’ relentlessly criticisms of that history-making win ... “she didn’t really win because of her racing skills, it was only smart fuel management that got her across the finish line first.”

I can understand Danica’s reasons for the photo shoot. It takes a lot of money to keep a seat in motorsports. But what I, and so many others, do not understand is why Danica agreed to the conspicuous exploitation. Does Danica want to be considered as a professional driver behind the wheel, or a “hottie” spread eagle across the hood of the car? The Sports Illustrated photo shoot could have been handled so much better. It’s not that the photo shoot should not have been done, it’s that it should have been done better.

Women are fighting back. Advertisers and marketing agencies are taking notice. It’s unfortunate that Danica’s handlers aren’t paying attention.

What do we tell today’s young female drivers like 13 year old Natalie Fenaroli who has accomplished so much at her young age, or Megan Reitenour competing today in NASCAR’s Driver Diversity Program, or the Harker Twins competing in NHRA’s Top Alcohol Dragster.

Tramp Stamps are more important than talent and tenacity? Drooling lap dogs will get you further than fastest lap speeds? T&A certainly grabs today’s headlines but publicity stunts such as the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition will ultimately diminish credibility both on and off the track.

Shirley Muldowney, Janet Guthrie, Lyn St. James, Ethel Flock, Sarah Fisher set the standard for women in racing and continue to be idolized for their talent and tenacity in a sport dominated by men. Danica, instead, risks being idolized for her taunt and tease and photo-shopped tramp stamps rather than for her hard earned success in motorsports. It’s an unfortunate choice, and a missed opportunity to be so much more.

See more: www.TRACKCHIC.com