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!