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.

With just weeks left before November elections, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger played host to the largest block of voters one could get in a single location--a NASCAR race. Playing to the crowd, Arnold indirectly appealed to a key voting block and showed he was a man of the NASCAR people. At least he did not have to squeeze into the passenger seat of a stock car...

If there ever was an argument that data can be manipulated in the wrong hands, enter the latest news from the FDNY as a prime example. In the ongoing political circus that surrounds the bid for a track close to NYC, the FDNY has put forth the statistic that NASCAR weekend leads to six deaths. From heart attacks to traffic deaths, the claims by the FDNY make NASCAR sound more dangerous than driving through Compton or swimming with stingrays (RIP Steve Irwin). Even foes of the NYC track will have a hard time swallowing the six deaths per race stat. Deaths will happen whether NASCAR comes to NY--but now at least the FDNY has someone to pin them on.

In a rare glimpse into the psyche of Yankee Johnny Damon, Baltimore Sun sports scribe Roch Kubatko reveals that after today's game, he hit the showers....and the TV, in search of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Apparently Damon would have been there in person if he did not have a baseball career standing in the way.

For most NASCAR sponsors, a tie to motorsports is a positive association. It can increase employee morale and introduce a brand and its products and services to a fiercely loyal NASCAR fan base. And for Ford, it means selling cars--and lots of them. Ford introduced the Fusion into the Nextel Cup last year, and since then has sold over 100,000 cars to American consumers, many of whom are NASCAR fans. It does not hurt that drivers like series leader Matt Kenseth are tearing up the track, bringing the Fusion into the winners circle time and again. So sponsors can learn from this--pick the driver you sponsor carefully to ensure that your dollars get the widest exposure possible--especially important during the start of the all-important "Race for the Chase" final races...

RPM Blog is willing to bet that you all saw Talladega Nights. We are also willing to bet that even if you did not love it, you A) probably liked it better than Days of Thunder and B) felt it was a pretty fair representation of NASCAR, even if it was a bit blown out of proportion. So it should come as no surprise that media outlets are taking notice of NASCAR's allegiance to sponsors, as highlighted by Ricky Bobby and company. Without sponsors, NASCAR would not be where it is today. Sponsors are good for the sport and each year brings new and interesting backers to the sport. From big pharma to global shippers to hard liquor, anything that can be sold is a likely sponsor and provides a chance to drivers to make it to the big show.

Recent media coverage by every media outlet seems to point to cracks in the Republican stronghold present in the NASCAR fan base. Here is where stereotyping can go wrong--or at least be perceived to offer insights which are flawed. NASCAR fans are patriotic, (generally) religious, support our troops, and are strongly loyal to the USA. But when troops die, they have issues with government, and can't properly channel their frustration, they may favor change. This does not mean that they will put Al Gore in office, but it may mean they might not be 100% behind Bush. If the Republicans and Democrats alike address the needs of their constituents, NASCAR fans and non-fans will elect the right person to serve them come November.

While RPM Blog usually just covers NASCAR and the related tie-ins (that's quite enough to cover, given how big NASCAR has grown), we deviate just a bit and hope you will bear with us. No, we are not going to weigh in on Katie Couric or The View or whether Survivor is racist. We would like to introduce you to an interesting idea that might actually take flight soon--rocket racing.

Picture sponsored planes--rockets actually--flying around a track in the sky at speeds in excess of 250 mph aiming for a purse of $2m plus in the Rocket Racing League (RRL). Speed junkies who love NASCAR would tune in for sure. Although I do not think anyone would wish a mid-air wreck or running out of gas on any of the competitors. Far fetched--a little bit, but who would have guess that NASCAR would have 75 million fans following its humble start on Daytona Beach? RPM Blog likes the idea of rocket racing a lot--sign us up!

It was only a matter of time that communication tools like podcasts and blogs reached the NASCAR community. With millions of NASCAR fans using iPods and other tech tools to get their hands on all information about drivers and the sport they love, Alltel has come out as one of the leaders, offering a regular podcast featuring Alltel driver Ryan Newman's crew chief Matt Borland interviewing teammates. This will give Newman fans a behind the scenes audio look into the life of a NASCAR pit crew member, with a different perspective each week. Other teams and sponsors are sure to follow suit...

The popularity of NASCAR has certainly created some strange bedfellows, but usually for good reason. The latest alliance between NASCAR fabricators (metal and fiberglass wizards--not liars) and Gerogia Tech scientists seems to fall into this category. What would scientists and NASCAR types have in common? But here is where loyal RPM readers and NASCAR fans know the truth--who is better to design a vehicle that has to survive the perils of battle better than those who design the cars that take a punishment every Sunday? By combining the scientists' background with the NASCAR guys knowledge of vehicle safety, the Ultra was born--a true prototype for the military vehicle of the future.

Cooking is serious business at NASCAR races. From the cooks that travel with the teams to the tailgating fans grilling before the race, food and NASCAR have always gone hand in hand. Now NASCAR fans are being introduced to new twists on old favorites by none other than Iron Chef Mario Batali. Batali, owner of Babbo, has brought his inimitable cooking style to the track with his new book Mario Tailgates NASCAR Style. RPM prediction--Bobby Flay's up next...

One thing is certain--Colombian Juan Pablo Montoya is leaving F1 for NASCAR. One thing is not a done deal, but is cause for much speculation--Danica Patrick is considering a departure from IRL to race in NASCAR's big leagues. What do both of these mean? Both of them can drive, so it means that NASCAR's stars better keep an eye in their rearview mirror for some unfamiliar sights. A few years back it was the youth invasion. Could 2007 be the year NASCAR gets a more diverse field of drivers? We shall soon see...

If you are a Dale Jr. fan, you likely have every jacket, sticker, hat, and any other imaginable item produced with his scruffy likeness.Now you can add Budweiser cans and bottles to your collection of #8 merchandise. Jr's face, car, and #8 will adorn the new aluminum bottles and cans in race markets within 30 days of the final 16 races (that's a lot of math...whew...) So if you are not lucky enough to drink with Junior in his motorcoach, now you can bring Junior into the comfort of your own home.

It must be election time again, since the politicians are suddenly NASCAR fans. But not all politicians can drop in on a race via Air Force 2. The second in command did a low-slung flyover and cruised around the track in an SUV (wonder if he has a connection for low price gas...) and addressed the assembled fans before the start of the Pepsi 400. And the Democrats wonder why they lose elections...

As elected officials seek to return to office in the mid-term cycle, the NASCAR demographic is again considered a must-have political base. With elections getting closer and closer as more politicians move more towards the middle, unlocking the NASCAR fan can be the key to winning and losing. Expect more politicians, pundits, scholars, and strategists to weigh in as November draws closer. Here's a hint: go to a race. Or better yet, read RPM Blog....

Ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of year again when the racing pundits get to either make fun of or connect the dots between an odd nexus: racing and wine. This weekend, NASCAR heads to heart of the wine country (although Napa is slightly better) for one of two road courses in the schedule. Trust me--nothing is funnier than seeing a Mercedes parked next to a camper truck in the dirt lots of Infineon raceway. Or the look on some Sunday driver's face on his way to pick up his case of Opus One realizing he has just entered the NASCAR vortex and has some serious gridlock ahead of him. The only odd thing is that the NASCAR race coincides with the launch of Gay Pride weekend in San Francisco. Coincidence...or new demographic?

In a great article that traces NASCAR’s extensive history of fathers, sons, and even grandfathers in families that race, Jerry Bonkowski pens a piece for Yahoo! Sportsjust in time for Father’s Day. Read the article and reminisce about the Earnhardts, Pettys, Allisons and many others and be proud of a sport that focuses on family. And give your dad a call to say thanks for being part of your life…Also check out Richard O’Brien’s piece on SI.com entitled “For This NASCAR Dad, Every Sunday is Father’s Day”.

Actor Brandon Routh, previously known best for his role in the TV show “Odd Man Out” (RPM Blog had never heard of it either) will get two huge honors. The first is a starring role in the sure-fire summer blockbuster Superman. The second, and the reason you are reading about him here, is the honor of being the Grand Marshall for the July 1st race at Daytona. We hope he wears his costume, since few will likely recognize him out of “uniform”. Here’s to breaking the dreaded Superman curse!

Showing they are open to sports that require footpower, not horsepower, World Cup has taken root in an unlikely place—NASCAR garages. Many of the divers and pit crew members have kids who play youth soccer, so seeing the world’s best play overseas might not come as much of a shock. Come Sunday, I am sure the TVs will be turned off and all eyes will be focused on the track, but people like John Andretti’s son and Mexican teammate Michael Jourdain might be using the picture-in-picture function on their TV to see if the Germans can win at home. Goooaaaal!!!

The next time you think about telling your kids to put down the video game controllers and get some fresh air, consider the story of Bad Coleman. While 18 year-old standout drivers are becoming more commonplace, few can boast that they honed their skills sneaking in video game racing between homework before he finally got behind the wheel at the ripe old age of 13. Since then, Colman has put in his time behind the wheel of anything that goes fast, but his story should inspire more than a few kids to pick up a NASCAR game—especially if it means they can wait to do their math problems and book reviews.

As if being part of the Bud Shootout, being in the best position to start a race, bonus points, and all other accolades that go along with winning the Budweiser pole were not enough, NASCAR and Anheuser-Busch are adding yet another bonus to the speedy stars--a limited edition Tissot watch valued at close to $1K. This is part of a parallel promotion of new Tissot NASCAR watches available to the general public starting at $295. Odd are, Tag Heuer pitchman Jeff Gordon will not be wearing one if he wins a pole--eBay anyone?

Sure, everyone who can read knows that Will Ferrell is starring in a NASCAR movie. Most people had heard that Britney Spears, before going brain-dead on Dateline, was going to star in a NASCAR movie. And even non-fans saw Tom Cruise in the days that he was an actor (and not a Scientology-spouting, Oprah-couch jumping lunatic) behind the wheel in Days of Thunder. But in a recent article, the LA Times reminds us of other gems: Wheel of Fortune, Days of Our Lives, and Family Feud to name a few. Can re-runs of these hidden classics on Speed be far behind?

Appropriately leaked on the eve of 6-6-06 comes news that Dianetics is sponsoring a racing team that will make the rounds on the NASCAR circuit using the slogan "Ignite Your Potential".While the notion of recruiting people--especially celebrities--as one of its core goals, the NASCAR pool of 75 million fans makes for an enticing pool from which to draw, RPM Blog is of the opinion that few NASCAR fans will find solace in Scientology. In a sport where Christians reign supreme, Jews for NASCAR seems more likely to appeal to the NASCAR fan than the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. But at the same time, NASCAR fans respect the Constitution and presumably the freedom of religion spelled out in the document. Driver Kenton Gray credits the teachings of Hubbard for making him a better driver, making the sponsorship a natural fit to him. Thoughts?