Any marketing expert worth their salt can tell you that women are a force to be reckoned with. They represent around 40% of NASCAR fans and they spend money. Just like men, women bond with players--and they lust after them (likely different than most men). The aritcle points to NASCAR's partnership with Harlequin for racing-themed romance novels as their effort to reach out to the female demographic. Baby steps for sure, but certainly a step in the right direction...

With the announcement that NASCAR's Busch series will be adding a date in Montreal to their 2007 schedule, Canadian motorsports fans will get a little taste of the speed that has been adopted by the US of A. With a race in Canada and a race in Mexico, NASCAR is expanding its reach across North America--what's next? A track in Alaska perhaps?

An intersting new article in the Kansas City Starcompares NASCAR vs. NFL, taking elements such as popular young drivers/players (Roush driver Carl Edwards, Chiefs RB Larry Johnson), the cost of uniforms, popular personalities, TV audience, noise, instant replay, the fans and the physical nature of the sports. Useful for fans of both sports, but like most data, the glass can be either half-empty or half-full depending on your view.