Erica Kotecki
CheetSheet Babe of the Week
Daytona Twin 125's 2/16/06

My favorite driver is obviously Rusty Wallace. My friend Gail and I are the self-proclaimed Nascar Beer Chicks in that we cheer for Rusty and Jr., Miller and Bud.

Gail is the person who got me into watching racing, as she refused to move from the TV each and every Sunday. I joined her, started asking questions, and soon got wrapped up in it myself. It got to the point that I actually set up my backyard for race day. A big TV, mini-fridge, grill, and camping chairs filled my little fenced in yard, so that friends and neighbors could come and watch the races while enjoying the beautiful summer afternoons in Greenville. It was the next best thing to being at the race or tail-gaiting there.

We celebrated Rusty’s Last Call, so my new favorite driver is the young Kasey Kahne. I was quite impressed by his remarkable rookie season, and I think he’s a really likable guy. He seems very down to earth and genuine… and he’s so cute!

I’ve been to several races at Charlotte, Darlington, Martinsville, Daytona, and Rockingham. Hopefully I can add to that list this year. My favorite races to watch are the Bristol races for all the drama and excitement, and Martinsville since I got to see Rusty win there in 2004!!! But any race is a great race when you get to be there. My favorite track to visit is the Daytona International Speedway. I love Daytona! The campgrounds and all the fans there are awesome, and I always have an excellent time there. We met some folks in Daytona for the 400 in July 2003 when we first broke out as “Beer Chicks” and have since met and camped with them at several other races, including Martinsville and Rockingham. Last year my two girlfriends and I went to Daytona for the Bud Shootout and had such a blast that we called and ordered tickets for the 500 on the drive home to NC. Five days later we were back on the road to Daytona (mind you it’s a 9 hour drive for us). We got home at 5am after the Daytona 500, and we all had about an hour’s worth of sleep before having to go to work… but it was well worth it- my one and only 500 (so far).