Many moons ago, I met my best friend Beth in college. On Sunday afternoons Beth and I would sit in the dorm lobby and monopolize the TV watching NASCAR all afternoon. At first it was just the two of us and folks would walk by and inquire what we were watching and why we were yelling at the television. As time went by more and more of theses passers by would stop and join us on the couch. Most of these people had never watched racing before, but they became engaged, and eventually had the same scream at the TV enthusiasm that Beth and I had for it. It became a weekly event that brought together co-eds from all social circles. Our Sunday group from the sofa may not of had anything in common all week but on race day we were all fans.

Genuine passion and joy are infectious, and for any sport to grow it must have fans that will draw in others. It seems that NASCAR has been performing a high-wire act for several years now trying to attract new fans to the sport while retaining long time aficionados. This strategy has served them well as the sport became the fastest growing in the United States. NASCAR’s initiatives to recruit a more diverse workforce promise to change the face of the sport to look more like our heterogeneous Sunday couch bunch. However, it seems we hear about this plan, but the evidence of it’s implementation has yet to be seen. The face of NASCAR are the teams from pit road and the drivers and the perception of many veteran motor sports enthusiasts is that these people look less like us than ever. These spokes model product moving guru’s are beautiful specimens and it is very off-putting. Of those considered the best in racing history not many would you consider beautiful. Save Richard Petty, who as Beth says made her eight year old heart go pitter patter.

As Ginn & DEI merge with their new young studs of  racing team the Feelin' Foggy crew wonder is this truly progress or is it selling another product.  It is kind of funny that Marlin has been ousted for Smith because he hasn't finished better than 13th, when I don't recall Smith finishing better than 22nd in a cup start.   & instead of moving Marlin or Nemechek to share the # 1 car we get a driver who I don't recall having a cup start.  He may have but I don't recall it.  While Smith & Almirola are excellent canidates for the job talent wise I would venture to guess their mad driving skills were'nt the primary reason for their hire. 

We Feelin' Foggy Ladies want the world to know we love fast cars & tinkering with machinery, and it is insulting when teams hire hot young men as to get us interested.  We are not complaing that they are hot, but talent should always over-ride beauty when choosing staff for race teams.