There is a buzz in the air about the new TV series debuting on the TLC network called NASCAR Wives. Produced by The NASCAR Media Group, this series is intended to tell the stories of several women in the sport from their own personal perspectives.
Powerhouse women like DeLana Harvick and Kelley Earnhardt are mixed-in with Shana Mayfield, Angie Skinner and Amanda Mathis. Some fans may be familiar with all those names, while others may have to dig a bit to find out just who is who.
Each of the women listed above are involved in NASCAR in very different ways. More than just having a family life rooted in motorsports, the series will explore the roles of team owner, business executive, public relations manager and career advisor all of which are represented in this group.
While one of the personalities participating is just joining the sport on a full-time basis, another has struggled to find a lasting personal relationship. Some of the marriages may show the strain of losing the limelight as the careers of husbands ride the roller-coaster of a NASCAR driver's life.
Originally, TLC intended to air the first episode of this series as a special after the Miss America pageant on January 24th. Since that time, TLC has reconsidered and would like to include the Daytona 500 experience of these women in the first show.
Actually, this probably makes a lot of sense. The other series from The NASCAR Media Group have started with Daytona and worked out very well. Last season's NASCAR Confidential was especially memorable.
TDP will post updated scheduling information as soon as it becomes available, but the first show will probably be the final week of February or the first week of March. The remaining episodes will follow on a regular basis.
Credit goes to NMG for getting a NASCAR-themed series on a TV network that does not involve the words ESPN or SPEED. These two have cut back on original productions of this type and are off into their own agendas. ESPN wants live events and SPEED wants lifestyle TV shows that have nothing to do with actual sanctioned motorsports competition.
It should be interesting to see how NASCAR Wives goes over with the general public on a TV network that has absolutely no connection to racing. Who knows, it may become the next reality TV sensation.
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Since Jeremy Mayfield won't HAVE a "Daytona 500 experience, that part profiling Shana's going to be a bit dull, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAnon 8:44PM,
ReplyDeleteYou may have spoke just a bit too soon. Updates to follow.
JD
John
ReplyDeleteI think I read on Jade Gurss' blog that Delana was Exec Producer of this show. Or I may have read that wrong.
If that's the case, then I can understand why Shana's on the show.
I'm wondering if you could verify that.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteYou read it right. Once things settle down a bit I will have a full preview of the series, including the production info.
This is a series that is trying to get a cross-section of the women in the sport. I am not a big fan of the title.
Obviously, DeLana is a team owner and well-known in that way. Kelley is a businesswoman handling the marketing of the biggest star in the Cup Series while dealing with a divorce and real life.
Angie Skinner and Shana are both looking at the real struggles of their spouses in this sport at a very tough time.
Meanwhile, Amanda comes in with a big star and is just stepping into the Cup exposure for the first time.
There are some very interesting storylines in play even before the first episode hits the air.
JD
I hope the fact they are delaying the show means they wised up and realized they needed some racing footage and/or racetrack footage in there.
ReplyDeleteA previous article I read about this show had a quote from NMG saying racing footage would be minimized in this show. I thought (and said on the other column's comments) that would be a big mistake; a big part of the show should be reactions of the wives/GFs at the track before/during/after a race. And also their lifestyles at the track where they spend half the week.
Hope they've changed their minds and changed gears by delaying the show.
I give up. All I found on Amanda Mathis was a PR job a couple of seasons ago. Who is she?
ReplyDeleteLis,
ReplyDeleteDoes Scott Speed ring a bell?
JD
Thanks, JD-
ReplyDeleteI assume she is the girlfriend. No wonder I was out of the loop.
Unlike DW, I don't keep up with who is dating who! :)
I will check out the program when it airs.
Lis,
ReplyDeleteYou are getting warm.
JD
O.K.
ReplyDeletegirlfriend, wife, dog walker, florist.....doesn't matter. At least I know who she's attached to for the program. :)
Amanda Mathis is Scott Speed's fairly recent girlfriend and now fiancee. I say recent because just a year or so ago, Scott Speed was known for having one of the most beautiful Formula 1 "WAGs" (Wives and Girlfriends). Her name is Valentina... NOT Amanda. Wonder where she went.
ReplyDeleteThe F1 WAGs are photographed regularly by the European press and critiqued on their look, their clothes, everything. The newest F1 WAG sensation is Lewis Hamilton's American pop star girlfriend, who is the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls. I'm surprised there's not a show about those WAGs! It might be more interesting than NASCAR life, I must admit.
Perhaps Valentina, who is from Austria, decided not to make that journey to such a different lifestyle. (unlike Connie Montoya, who adjusted quickly to the less glamourous NASCAR). That would have been an interesting drama to follow on this series - Valentina adjusting - or not adjusting- to America and the NASCAR circuit.
Just an aside...Interesting how lots of NASCAR drivers end up with "PR girls" (Delana was a PR girl when she met Kevin) and a number of drivers have dated/are dating them. Kind of like how being Miss Winston used to lead to marrying a NASCAR guy.
Is DeLana Harvick *the* executive producer on this series? Or is she one of the vanity credits, meaning she gets a contractual credit as executive producer for participating as a main star of the show, while a nuts and bolts exec producer does the real production work?
ReplyDeleteI don't recall DeLana having any TV production credits behind the cameras. Starting out as an exec producer on a primetime series seems quite a leap.
Or is she one of the vanity credits, meaning she gets a contractual credit as executive producer for participating as a main star of the show
ReplyDeleteGood call.
It may also mean she has the right to approve all the video used in the show before it airs.
Amanda Mathis has a HUGE history in racing. She is the sister to NHRA ProStock Motorcycle Champion Matt Smith and the daugher of NHRA ProStock/ProMod Champion "Ticky" Ricky Smith.
ReplyDeleteShe was the PR girl at Bill Davis Racing and now works soley for her fiancee, Scott Speed.
She's a wonderful girl with "down home" country roots and a heart of gold.
See? I told you this could get interesting.
ReplyDeleteJD
JD--
ReplyDeleteSo what's the story with the Mayfields you referenced in the second post?
The Mayfield's have their own team for Daytona! Mayfield Motorsports!! Good luck Jeremy and Shana!!
ReplyDeleteSurf over to ESPN.com where they just released the news or just Google "Mayfield+motorsports."
ReplyDeleteI told you this was going to get interesting. Now you know why TLC wanted to wait until this whole Daytona 500 experience was over.
JD
I BET THE MAYFIELD DEAL WILL BE THE MOST INTERESTING PART OF THE SHOW.
ReplyDeleteI agree. The Mayfields will be the best part of this show, just as they were with NASCAR 360.
ReplyDeleteThe Mayfields are always a joy to watch, drivers 360 proved that!!
ReplyDelete