Why this Sport Needs Trevor Bayne

After a crazy week in Daytona, and waiting in Victory Lane with no television access (need to work on that, guys) I finally just saw the last couple of laps and the win for Trevor Bayne. I have to say for the first time in a long time, I have goosebumps and tears in my eyes. This is truly amazing and I am happy to have been a part of this race. I have enjoyed the press from this morning to see a fresh face, an earnest but focussed young man winning the greatest race of the year. To hear him actually scream, "I don't know where to go (finding Victory Lane)!!" was just endearing. This was just incredible. I am sure I am not the only person that woke up this morning with a lighter heart. With no offense to the tried and true this is just what we needed....it was getting a little tiring seeing the same names over and over and over. Trevor, Thank You! You made me a renewed fan in NASCAR.

NASCAR New Garage Dress Code: PIT-iful and Inappropriate

Even as I write this, I realize that I am being a hypocrite. The reason why we started this website is to make what we hope to be a valid point that the females that follow this sport have all their teeth and own proper undergarments (like a bra). One would think after following this column for a while that the relaxed dress code that was announced this season and executed for the first time in Daytona, would have us  jumping for joy. 

This just might be the worst decision that NASCAR ever made. 

They took the class right out of the garage and the pits, places where if you were lucky enough to have access was a backstage view of your favorite sport.  Because of the give a yard take a mile adage, thanks to the new dress code (or lack thereof), the wardrobe choices I have seen this week in the garage and pits are close to what you would see at a water park. I find it disgusting. It is a privilege to be able to get in the pits and the garage and now NASCAR is releasing you of the responsibility to treat it with the respect it deserves by enabling you to dress however you want? There is a rite of passage one endures for this access and this is a blatant middle finger up to the process. Dressing in a beach cover up and flip flops is not OK in these areas!! I am sure our friends on the race teams are rejoicing for the extra visual entertainment but it just screams trailer! 

Coming to a Pit near you

Taking my horrified opinion out of the equation, am I mistaken to think that the reason that the dress code was enforced initially was for safety? I realize that this only applies for a COLD pit, but you were able to watch the Nationwide race with a cold pass this week. Do you want a tire to roll over your flip flop? How will that debris feel against your new dress? It will happen, someone will get hurt and the rules will go back. Only then, will the garage and the pits maintain this small level of decorum it once had.

Lap 3

February 18 2011 will mark the 10 year anniversary since NASCAR lost Dale Earnhardt Sr. At the 53rd running of the Daytona 500, Daytona International Speedway is paying tribute to the man in black. They are asking for a moment of silence on the third lap while the fans hold up the number 3. Here is a photo we took from the 2009 Daytona 500, where the Bass Pro Shops team paid tribute to the intimidator, as they do every year on lap 3. Goosebumps will be making a presence on Sunday, especially with Dale Earnhardt Jr on the pole.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Daytona International Speedway is asking for a moment of silence on the third lap of the Daytona 500 as a tribute to Dale Earnhardt.

Earnhardt was killed in an accident on the last lap of the 2001 Daytona 500. The speedway considered various ways to mark the 10-year anniversary of Earnhardt's death. Click here to continue.

NASCAR children coming to a garage near you

If you're a NASCAR fan, you would have to be living under a rock if you weren't aware of the latest fad on pit road - no we aren't talking the latest designer jeans....we're talking babies. NASCAR's baby boom was mentioned over this past weekend almost as many times as Chris Myers mentioned twitter . It seems like every week, another driver is announcing they are expecting a child. So it comes to no surprise that NASCAR made their special announcement that the garage area is open to children during it's "cold" pre-race period. An adult with approved access (hard card or a single event license) can bring his or her child into the Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck series garages on race days. Each child will be issued a special credential & there is no minimum age requirement. This must be good news to the #1 Bass Pro team who had a huge baby boom in 2010!

and...We are Back!!

We have made an executive decision to bring our baby back from hiatus just in time for the 2011 Race Season! We have missed writing and interacting with our wonderful friends that have supported  us since we began years ago.

So, stay tuned for some fun in Daytona and some carefully thought out prattle throughout the season on all that is racing, all that is fashion and why the the two of them together continues to make sense, despite the perception of the no teeth, no bra female race fan!

Love,

Megan and Darlynn

The Racing Fashionistas

xo

Blog Abuse!!!

NO, we aren't dead! And yes, we are still NASCAR fans.

I will start with a huge apology for disappearing. We never thought this would happen to our precious blog but it was the first thing we both had to let go of when our worlds went cray busy in early 2010. Both Darlynn and I started our own companies and we had to focus on them. Plus, sad to say but neither of us have been to a race since the Daytona 500, due to our hectic schedules. NASCAR had to take a backseat.

So our apologies go out there to all of our readers, our friends, our connections and anyone else. I have wanted to blog so many times about NASCAR but I haven't had the neutral heart to go there. I start it and end up ranting and raving, and trust me, you don't want that. I am going to keep quite about my thoughts on this seasons chase and the fact that it needs to be reformatted.

We spent so long getting this blog to where it was. We gained the connections we wanted. Gained the national audience we needed to make it successful and we let if fail. So let us apologize once again. I hope that we can succeed in making this our baby once again, once the dust of our new lives settle!

JC France's drug charges are dropped, in other obvious news...the world is round

Hi Kids, I know that we have been missing in action but how can I not blog about such local goodness?? In today's, Daytona Beach News Journal...breaking news!! The Nation is out of the recession?? They found Bin Laden?? Oh no!! Miraculously, JC France has had his drug charges dropped and his Grand AM license has been reinstated. Are you cuss word kidding me? The News Journal reports....

"All the evidence that Daytona Beach police piled up against France was thrown out because of a jurisdictional technicality."

Well, there you go...justice is served! Please check out the readers comments, its worth a giggle! If you missed the gem of why he was arrested in the first place, enjoy!!

See you soon, (we promise)

Bristol Motor Speedway: bringing music to your ears once again

At last years Bristol Spring race, the brilliant people at BMS came up with the plan to let drivers pick their own song for driver introductions. Well, they are at it again. It is interesting to see who picked what this time around. For instance: Clint Bowyer picked Burning Love by Elvis. Jamie McMurray picked Let it Rock by Kevin Rudolph. Scott Speed picked Love Shack by the B52's. And the pick of the weekend: Martin Truex Jr....he picked the Napa Know How Jingle. If you haven't seen it yet, here you go.



You can check who picked what below. I am honestly shocked there is no Lady Gaga action going on! I felt surely someone would have picked Poker Face!

• AJ Allmendinger: "Last Resort" / Papa Roach
• Aric Almirola: "Back In Black" / AC/DC
• Bobby Labonte: "People Are Crazy" / Billy Currington
• Brad Keselowski: "Won't Back Down" / Tom Petty
• Brian Vickers: "Whatever Happened" / OAR
• Carl Edwards: "Black Betty" / Spiderbait
• Casey Mears: "Wild Side" / Motley Crue
• Clint Bowyer: "Burning Love" / Elvis
• Dale Earnhardt Jr: TBA
• Dave Blaney: TBA
• David Gilliland: "I Gotta Feelin" / Black Eyed Peas
• David Ragan: "The Devil Went Down to Georgia" / Charlie Daniels
• David Reutimann: "The Game" / Motorhead
• David Stremme: TBA
• Denny Hamlin: "Rocky" theme
• Elliott Sadler: "2001: A Space Odyssey" theme
• Greg Biffle: "Welcome to the Jungle" / Guns N Roses
• Jamie McMurray: "Let It Rock" / Kevin Rudolph
• Jeff Burton: "Welcome to the Jungle" / Guns N Roses
• Jeff Gordon: "Boom Boom Pow" / Black Eyed Peas
• Jimmie Johnson: "Ramble On" / Led Zeppelin
• Joe Nemechek: "Boot Scootin Boogie" / Brooks and Dunn
• Joey Logano: "Crank Dat" / Soulja Boy
• Juan Pablo Montoya: "Going the Distance" / Cake
• Kasey Kahne: "Bulls On Parade" / Rage Against The Machine
• Kevin Conway: "Big Time" / Peter Gabriel
• Kevin Harvick: "Rollin" / Limp Bizkit
• Kurt Busch: "Dukes of Hazzard" theme
• Kyle Busch: "Amazing" / Kanye West
• Marcos Ambrose: "Thunderstruck" / AC/DC
• Mark Martin: TBA
• Martin Truex Jr.: "Napa Know How" jingle
• Matt Kenseth: "Whisky Hangover" / Godsmack
• Max Papis: "Carmina Burana" / Carl Orff
• Michael Waltrip: "Hillbilly Bone" / Blake Shelton
• Mike Bliss: "Rise Above This" / Seether
• Paul Menard: "Paradise City" / Guns N Roses
• Regan Smith: "Fight For Your Right" / Beastie Boys
• Robby Gordon: "Some Beach" / Blake Shelton
• Ryan Newman: "Hillbilly Rockstar" / Bridgette Tatum
• Sam Hornish Jr.: "Bad Habit" / Offspring
• Scott Speed: "Love Shack" / B52s
• Terry Cook: TBA
• Tony Stewart: "Bawitdaba" / Kid Rock
• Travis Kvapil: "Kickstart My Heart" / Motley Crue

M&M’S RACING FANVOCATES MAKE A COLORFUL STATEMENT

NEW 2010 RACE SUITS unveiled in Las Vegas!

To help showcase the many colorful fans of NASCAR, today M&M’S Racing Fanvocates Right Turn Ryan and Left Turn Lindsay took to the track in style, sporting new race suit designs for the 2010 NASCAR racing season.

Manufactured by Simpson Performance, the new suits feature revised flames rising up the pant leg and arm sleeve, which are sure to catch the eyes of fans on scorching race days. Other details include a race-stripe waist band embroidered with their respective names, the newly created Fan Patrol logo and an M&M’S-branded collar. Designed by Geoffrey Thomas of Chatain and Thomas, the artist behind all of the 2010 M&M’S No. 18 Toyota Camry paint schemes driven by Kyle Busch. Thomas designs all collateral materials and apparel, bringing the colorful and fun characteristics of M&M’S to life and serving as key inspirations for the new performance wear in 2010.

“I love meeting and hearing stories of NASCAR fans from coast to coast” remarked M&M’S Fanvocate Left Turn Lindsay “Our new suit reintroduces the classic, bright and vibrant colors of M&M’s with a racing twist while creating attention and buzz at the track, allowing us to meet even more fans.”

“The classic flames and inclusion of our NASCAR partner logos illustrates M&M’S commitment to the fans and the sport of NASCAR,” added Phil Grieco, Director, Sponsorships & Sports Marketing, MARS Chocolate North America. “I can’t wait to hear the fan reactions to the 2010 suit designs.

As M&M’S Most Colorful Fans, you can follow Left Turn Lindsay and Right Turn Ryan around the series virtually at:
www.Facebook.com/colorfulfans, www.Twitter.com/mmscolorfulfans or connect with them on the new M&M’S Virtual Tailgate onNASCAR.com at www.NASCAR.com/MCF.

4th Annual Skinner Round-Up

If you are in the Daytona or Orlando area, you must check out Mike and Angie Skinners charity event coming up next weekend, The Skinner Round-Up. We attended it last year and it was a ton of fun.

The Hoe Down Bash for the Public takes place on Thursday March 11th at 7pm in the FanZone located inside the Daytona International Speedway.

Tickets are only $10 and benefits go to multiple Volusia County charity's including Council on Aging, Greyhound Pets of America, Halifax Health Foundation and Concerned Citizens for Animal Welfare. It's a fun event for the whole family and here are a few of the activities:

• A live concert by Nashviolle recording artist Stacy Mitchhart "The Blues Doctor"
• Live & Silent auctions featuring NASCAR and celebrity memorabilia & NASCAR tickets/garage passes.
• Taste of Daytona Food Sampling featuring Daytona's finest restaurants (included in your ticket price but there is a cash bar)
• Photographs & Autographs with Mike Skinner & his #5 NASCAR Camping World Series Truck in Gatorade Victory Lane (6pm-8pm)

The live auction will take place at 9pm at the stage in the FanZone. The Silent Auction and concert will take place from 7pm-9pm. There will also be special secret celebrity guests!!

You can purchase tickets at Stirling Sotheby's International Realty located at 201 Cessna Blvd Suite 6, Port Orange FL 32128 (in the Spruce Creek Fly-In).

Happy Happy Hour!

We have slacked off the last 2 weeks with our Happy Hour feature. So, what better track to
start it off at other than Viva Las Vegas!

This week we are going to feature an adult concoction from the makers of Ty Ku Sake, who happens to do promotions with #83 Red Bull Racing driver Brian Vickers. We are big fans of Ty Ku and hope you will be too! Enjoy this cocktail while following along with NASCARs Happy Hour practice here!

The Ty Ku Cosmopolitan
Ty Ku Sake
Splash of Vodka
Cranberry Juice

A Fast Lap with Marty Smith

During Daytona Speedweeks, we sat down with ESPN's Marty Smith and chatted everything from College football to great books to the Bachelor. We had a blast with Marty and he was a real pleasure to meet. Here is our Fast Lap with Marty Smith1. What music have you recently put on your iPod?
I just met Jack Ingram, who is a really awesome guy and a great singer and song writer. I am big into song writers. A really good budy of mine is Eric Church. I admire his ability to convey a message emotional into his music.

2. What was the last movie you saw?
I just took my son to see Alvin and the Chipmunks the Squeakqual. (laughs). I also recently saw and loved Inglorious Bastards. It was absolutely phenomenal. Tarantino is a total trip and an amazing director but this was different for him. It had his same edge but it was deep at the same time.

3. What are your favorite TV shows?
My Favorite show on TV is Friday Night Lights which is now on the 101 network on DirecTV. I Don’t understand why Network didn't keep the show. The Director, Peter Berg is a total rock star. I am amazed by that show on a lot of levels. They took what was an engaging High School football show and turned it into a dramatic production. It is awesome. My wife Laney and I also watch a lot of reality TV. She has been making me watch the Bachelor.
Who do you think is going to win?
I don't care! He messed up when he kicked off Ashley!

4. What other sporting teams/events do you follow?
Virginia Tech Hokies Football….obsessed. I am completely over the board and insane about it. I read incisively about it. Some of my fondest memories were of me and my Dad going to Hookies Football games. I lived 15 miles from the stadium growing up. One of the coolest things anyone ever gave me Coach Beamer signed a helmet for me.

5. What is one personal item you cannot live without?
My blackberry. It’s tied to me 24 hours a day. Especially now that twitter has taken the world by storm. I joined twitter the spring Atlanta race 2009 (@martysmithespn). It's readily changing media. Twitter is one of the most impactful method vehicles to disseminate news. It’s immediate and intimate. I take Twitter seriously. I respond to people on it and I appreciate people that follow me. Can you imagine being a fan of Kasey Kahne or Denny Hamlin and following them on Twitter? I know that when I was a little boy, if I had a direct vehicle to Michael Jordan or Dale Murphy and being able to see something they actual wrote, it's awesome!

6. What are your favorite places to visit?
Love going to the Caribbean Islands my wife. I also love to going home to Pearisburg, Virginia.

7. What is your favorite book or publication?
Black Hawk Down,by Mark Bowden. It’s an awesome book
Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissigner. What most people don’t know about that book is that it is a socioeconomic, sociopolitical book. High School Football is the platform but it was so much more than that
Generation Kill by Evan Wright.
Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw

8. What is your favorite cuisine?
I am very health conscious. I pretty much fish, chicken, turkey & sushi.

9. What is your favorite activity to do in your off time?
Go to Jays at the Lake in Cornelius NC with my wife and my buddies. Listen to Eric Church on the Jukebox, sip on some Jack Daniels and make fun of one another. Also, hanging out with my two Children Cambron and Mia.

Congrats to Carl and Kate Edwards!!

This just in, from Carl Edwards official Facebook page!!

Kate and I have a beautiful baby girl! Anne Edwards is 8 lbs, 4oz and likes to eat and cry. all of the well wishes and support from everyone mean a lot to us. kates doing great, though shes having a little trouble burping annie....whole new world!

We congratulate the new Mommy and Daddy and wish them the most of luck with many upcoming sleepless nights! Can't wait to see photos of Anne who will undoubtedly be gorgeous with the her parents looks.

Office Depot Tony Stewart Chair winner #2

Congrats to Tom from Wilmington, NC, as he is the second winner in our signed Tony Stewart Office Depot Chair giveaway.
Tom's office is full of Office Depot Tony Stewart Garb, including but not limited to #14 trash can, #14 clock, & life sized Tony Stewart cutout, #14 Fat Heads, Banners and die casts. BUT what you don't see in this photo is a Tony Stewart's left rear tire from the first race Tom ever attended. It used to be mounted on his wall, but the smell was to strong that he is currently having it encased in plexiglass.

Tom's office is very tastefully put together and not over the top. We think the chair will look FAB in there! Now all he needs is a Tony Stewart ceiling fan and he will be all set.

Thank you to everyone who participated in this contest and stay tuned for the next giveaway from the Fashionistas!