Why Do Women Like NASCAR?

(Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Is it politically incorrect to say that men and women tend to have different interests?

Until recently, I held the view that motor sports were mainly for men. We are the ones with a natural interest in fast machinery, a love for the technicalities of engines and suspensions, an instinctive appreciation of a well-designed car.

The smell of race fuel and hot tyre rubber, the scream of a high-revving engine: These are delights for a man's senses—not for a woman to enjoy.

There have always been exceptions to the rule that motor racing is a man's sport, as there have always been ladies at races. Somebody has to go fetch the refreshments, now don't they?

It is said that confederate flags are more common than black faces at NASCAR events, but what most strikes me about the crowds is the number of women.

The most recent statistic I can find shows women to be 42 percent of NASCAR audiences, and that figure has grown from 31 percent over the last 10 years.

Make no mistake, 42 percent is a phenomenally high figure for a motor sport, and others would certainly like to hook so many women.

A strong female audience is very good news for a sports promoter. Advertisers like to see a good percentage of women because in addition to their personal spending on toiletries etc., they commonly have the final say on major household purchases.

So how has NASCAR lured so many girls?

I could put forward a theory that NASCAR is appealing to the girls precisely because it lacks the techno-geekery loved by F1 fans, who are never so happy as when discussing rear diffusers or some obscure regulation change.

Or is it the hunky and personable drivers, who certainly make better interviewees than F1's cautious speak-your-weight machines?

The only worthwhile answers can come from NASCAR's fan base, who know what they like and why they like it.

So what do you say?

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