By: Lisa DeSpain

Women are one of the fastest growing fan bases in NASCAR. I’ve heard many theories for this. It seems that everyone has their own ideas. Everyone has an opinion. The most cynical assumption I’ve heard is that women are attracted because of all the “hot guys”. Someone even suggested I write an article on women’s opinions, called “Hotties and Notties.”

While I have met women who follow the sport because they think “Kasey Kahne has the most beautiful blue eyes ever”, or because their boyfriend or husband is into it, I know quite a few who can talk stats, tracks, and smack about their drivers as well as or better than some hardcore male NASCAR fans.

I used to be one of those women who watched the races because my boyfriend, now my husband, was so into it. He’s been a fan for over 20 years, and was a huge Dale, Sr. fan. Correction, he was a Dale Earnhardt fan. The Intimidator hated to be called “Sr.”

I wanted to be a cool girlfriend, so I thought if I checked it out, I would at least be able to understand him when he talked about it. Even if I was bored to tears watching cars go around in circles.

I went to my first race at Talladega. I don’t think either of us was prepared for my reaction. I knew enough to follow everything that happened before the race, so it was interesting. Seeing all the displays and getting free stuff was cool. So far, nice and normal…kind of like the ballgames to which my Dad had taken me as a kid.

And now for something completely unexpected…they fired the engines. The second I felt the tremors shudder through the grandstands from those cars as they came up to full song, I was hooked! I was jumping up and down and screaming like a little kid. The people behind us were smiling and nodding, “First race, right?” Yep, but not my last!

Now, not only can I follow a conversation about driver standings, team changes, and whatever track is next on the hit list, I like to think I can hold my own when I speak up about it. My husband jokes that I know more than he does now. I don’t, but I love the fact that I can now answer the same questions I used to ask him for someone else.

I’m not alone. I’ve talked to numerous women who don’t care what color a driver’s eyes are as long as he can see well enough to stay out of trouble. They can quote team stats and qualifying times. They support their driver rain, shine, win, or lose and will fight for his honor with anyone who puts him down. Make no mistake, women are fans every bit as much as men. The blue eyes are just a bonus.