Why This Preppy, Crunchy, Christian Mama is Raising Her Kids On NASCAR

Go ahead, say it.

Make the joke about how it’s just cars going around in a circle.

And I know, I know…You think NASCAR is for rednecks. So say it now. Get it all out of your system.

I am not oblivious to these jokes. I grew up with them.

But here’s the thing. I am not a redneck. Ask my husband, who may wish I had some redneck, while, alas, there’s none.

No beer belly, no grass-overgrown cars in the yard. I love champagne, devour sushi. I do not own a pair of cut-offs and have never ridden a tractor. I hate being sweaty and wouldn’t be caught dead in a printed t-shirt.

I am a preppy, sophisticated, organized, green-living, organic-eating, wine-drinking, fashion-loving city girl.

And I love NASCAR.

There, I said it. Truth-telling is good for the soul.

I hate how I have to whisper it, apologetically, like a confession. Like I’m tipping you off to the dead body under the mattress.

But I’m ready to ditch the embarrassment, ignore the shock factor, and come out of the closet.

I’m raising my family a NASCAR family, and I think you should, too.

Here’s why.

• The people. Behind the scenes of NASCAR, there are some of the most quality, generous and real people you’d find anywhere.

We grew up vacationing with the Wood Brothers in Daytona Beach. To this day I smile when I think of them. Friendly, genuine… the real deal. And there’s others.

A year ago, my son had an asthma attack. The ambulance landed us at Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital, one of the most ironically beautiful places around. As Sam recovered, we raced around the hall in the go-karts the hospital provided for sick kiddos (awesome idea). If you’ve ever had a sick kid in there, you probably can’t pass the place now, either, without thinking what a generous gift it was to the community.

And then there’s the Gibbs family – Joe, J.D, and their wives, who own three all-star NASCAR teams. I’m not regurgitating hear-say on this one. I’ve been in their basement, jam-packed with Young Life kids. I’ve seen them up late at night working on spreadsheets, joking with college kids, lugging casseroles and iced tea to events that don’t *do* them a lick of good. And I know this work I see with Young Life is just a blip on the screen of all this family does.

Yup, NASCAR is great people.

• And it makes for a great childhood. I should know. NASCAR was a huge part of my childhood. We wore Dale Earnhardt t-shirts to bed and drank his Sun-drop at lunch. Some kids had baseball cards; we had NASCAR cards. We traded our Terry Labontes and Harry Gants for Dale Earnhardts. We counted up to ten in drivers, not numbers.  When we took a Sunday afternoon drive, it was MRN radio we heard, with the Sunday race blaring. And…we loved it.

Because my dad works in NASCAR, we also had some unconventional experiences. Like going to dinner with Dale Earnhardt (he liked Italian), opening his fan mail (would you believe people sent him lingerie to autograph?), parading down Pit Road, waking up to a NASCAR stock car in our driveway, those sorts of things.

The point is, NASCAR only enriched our childhood. I loved the whole thing.

• See, racing thrills little ones. You wouldn’t give your kids just stuffed polyester puppies, and never show ’em a real dog, would you? Well, shelve those pathetic matchbox cars and take everyone to the Speedway. I mean, come on. If your kid like hippos, you take him to the zoo. Fire engines, the station. And if they like cars (which if they are boys, I know they do), then for the love. Take them to a race.

• Also, televised NASCAR makes a great date. {Here is where, if my husband did not fall over dead, he is ready to kiss my feet and buy me diamonds, as I have said the words his ears have been longing to hear for years.} Granted, our date nights have become increasingly lamer as kids and years tack on, but still. There’s something about spending a low-key night cuddling up to the soothing buzz of a NASCAR race in the background. It just…brings us closer, in some inexplicable way.

• And of course, there’s Junior. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., that is, if you’ve been in Mongolia for the last five years. His is a story impossible not to like. Famous and legendary father. Father passes away, tragic and dramatic – the world and his fans watching. Endearingly shy and country-boy-likable “Junior” lives on with his legacy, millions of fans waiting with baited breath for him to embody his father’s grandiose talent and assume “Intimidator” status. Plus, he’s kind of cute. Right? Kind of?

• Also, Danica. Now look. I’m no feminist. Far from it. But you just can’t help but puff a little prouder for our gender that a woman like Danica Patrick exists. Even if you are slightly annoyed that she’s your four-year-old son’s new favorite driver. Even if it seems justly unfair that a woman be so apparently athletic, but also good-looking. Even if you are basically jealous.

I feel like if I had a daughter, I’d be happy to be able to buy a pink t-shirt and race car for “the girl racer.” But just don’t get me started on those commercials.

• I love how NASCAR makes time for my three favorite things – Jesus, America, and country music. And I’m not trying to be flippant about the first one. NASCAR is one of the few remaining entertainment forums where you can still mention “Jesus” if you want to, and say your prayers without whispering, and not cower in the corner shielding your faith with a blanket. There’s something to be said for that.

• When it comes down to it, there’s simply nothing like a live NASCAR race. Nothing. I’m not denying the simple pleasure of a summer baseball game. I get the whole NFL glamor and glitz. But do your ears go deaf when a baseball pitch is thrown? Is the ground shaking from the thunderous roar of a first down? No, it is not.

Hearing the blazing thunder of 43 race cars, and clinging to the rails while they tear by your bleachers is, simply, an unmatched experience. There is no thrill like it. It is something every kid should experience (albeit, with earplugs).

And if my description is too near a NASA lift-off experience for your liking, then at the very least enjoy a dirt track experience or a Summer Shootout.

Just for the love, do the right thing. Go watch some racing.

Follow "Smartter" Each Day on Facebook!

Follow Jessica on Instagram!