Guest Blogger: Katey Dietz

I’ve been planning for weeks, and as we creep closer to the 14th I’m getting all jittery and excited. I can’t wait to cozy up with Daytona and kick-off a new season this Sunday!

Photo Credit: NASCAR.com

Just like any big date, a girl’s gotta prep.

Phase 1: Research

I’ve joined a new fantasy league this season, Ultimate Race Day’s. This means I’ve got to step up my game. In previous seasons I’ve competed for bragging rights with a small group of friends, so this a big change. I’m still not taking it too seriously; it is just for fun. My picks are more about my gut and less about deep analysis of stats.

My Daytona Picks: Tony Stewart, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick, & AJ Allmendinger.

Phase 2: Pre-Date Freakout

Wednesday night I got word that my parents’ Christmas gift to me of a NASCAR Hall of Fame membership was also a winner in the NASCAR Hall of Fame VIP Sweepstakes. This prompted a happy dance to rival that of Brandi Chastain! Not a single green flag has dropped and this season is already getting me fired up and excited about what will happen next.

Phase 3: Picking the Right Outfit

What to wear, what to wear!? Easy, my best #11 cap and whatever is clean & comfy! That was easy, so I turned my attention to my 3-year-old niece/NASCAR fan in training. First we discussed that while Sunday is Valentine’s Day, more importantly, it is also Daytona.

Being a good aunt, I of course went shopping for her first NASCAR gear. Picking a driver for someone so young can be tricky, so many sponsors are just not kid friendly or accessible. My team of choice, FedEx was out, nothing there for a little girl. Luckily JGR is also home to the most kid accessible team, M&M’s, so at least I can keep things all “in the family”. I went with M&M’s because my niece already knows the characters, so the green M&M hat I picked up will be immediately recognizable, and because the paint schemes are always easy to pick out in a race. Can’t wait to see her decked out for her first NASCAR season as a proper little fan!

Phase 4: The Quiet Before the Storm

I’ve done all I can do to prepare for my hot date. I know everything I hope happens, and all the things I dread, so there is nothing left to do but take a deep breath and countdown to green!

Update:

My niece loved her Daytona present, but I think she would have liked some actual M&M’s too.