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On Oct. 9, the ladies of NASCAR will steal the spotlight as they race Bandoleros in the fourth annual Better Half Dash, showcasing their skills before the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers battle it out for the fastest lap on Bojangles' Pole Night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The women will race U.S. Legend Cars International Bandoleros around the frontstretch quarter-mile for bragging rights and to raise money for charities such as Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children's Charities.
To date, the entry list for this year's Better Half Dash includes:
Ashley Allgaier, wife of NASCAR driver Justin Allgaier
Ashton Bayne, wife of NASCAR driver Trevor Bayne
Jordan Fish, wife of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin
Karlee Hensley, fiancé of NASCAR driver Dakoda Armstrong
Adrienne Pattie, wife of NASCAR crew chief Brian Pattie
Amy Reimann, girlfriend of NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Jenna Robinson, wife of NASCAR pit crew member Clay Robinson
Melanie Self, representing Motor Racing Outreach
Heidi Stoddard, wife of NASCAR team owner Frank Stoddard
Ashley Deihl Stremme, wife of NASCAR driver David Stremme
Kristen Yeley, wife of NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley
Reimann is new to being behind the wheel of a race car, but with support from Earnhardt Jr., she is looking forward to competing in the 25-lap race. "I'm about as green as it gets, so I need a little bit of practice. But I hope we're competitive and I hope we get the trophy," said Reimann. "Dale talked me into it. It was offered to me by Kelly (Earnhardt Miller). And I didn't really know what the Better Half Dash was to be honest. I mentioned it to Dale and he said, 'yeah, you've got to do it. You've got to do it. It's going to be so much fun.'"
The starting order for the race will be determined by qualifying on Monday, Oct. 6, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Fans can get involved and help determine the polesitter by visiting www.go2mro.com/betterhalfdash and donating to their favorite driver. The driver with the most donations will lead the field to the green flag.
Last year, Stremme took home the trophy and the bragging rights after a brutal battle with the other better halves of NASCAR. She knows this year will be just as competitive. "We've got some pretty stout competition this year," said Stremme. "We've got some girls coming back. It's going to be interesting with the bandoleros being so, you know, everybody running the same thing. We don't get to tweak or test in them. It's going to be tough; it's going to be interesting. I think it's all going to be about starting spots," continued Stremme. "Just because we sit in the pit box week in and week out doesn't mean we're not competitive ourselves."
In the race, the husbands and boyfriends will stay on the sidelines and act as crew chiefs and spotters for their better halves. However, no engine, chassis or suspension modifications can be made.
The winning driver will receive $10,000 to be paid to different charities: $2,500 will be donated to Speedway Children's Charities while another $2,500 will go to Motor Racing Outreach. The remaining $5,000 will be donated to charities of the winner's choice.
Announcing the race will be NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip, pit reporter Steve Post and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio host Angie Skinner.
Updates on the race and entrants can be found at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or go2mro.com/betterhalfdash or by following #BetterHalfDash on Twitter.
Bojangles' Pole Night tickets are $12 in advance or $20 on the day of the event. Kids 13 and under get in free. Tickets for all October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267).
UPDATE Veteran Better Half Dash driver Kristen Yeley clocked the fastest time in Monday's qualifying session and will be among the favorites to win the fourth annual Better Half Dash when the ladies of NASCAR return to Charlotte Motor Speedway's frontstretch quarter-mile during Bojangles' Pole Night on Thursday. Yeley, wife of NASCAR driver J.J. Yeley, said she is happy with her qualifying effort, a 19.864 second lap, but also aware of how much different the racing will be under more crowded race conditions. "Three years of experience," she said. "I'm a lot more comfortable. I need to find my groove a little bit It takes me to find my groove, but when I do, I'm completely comfortable and I know my limits." Melanie Self, Heidi Stoddard, Ashton Bayne and Karlee Hensley rounded out the top five, while Ashley Deihl Stremme, Ashley Allgaier, Jenna Robinson, Adriene Pattie and Jordan Fish finished 6-10. Amy Reimann did not qualify.
Despite running the only sub 20-second lap, Yeley won't know until Thursday if she'll be sitting on the pole when the 25-lap charity race supporting Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children's Charities goes green. That honor will be determined by fan donations. Fans can make a donation to their favorite Better Half Dash driver at www.betterhalfdash.com. The driver with the most individual donations will have the option of choosing her starting spot. Yeley is racing for Yantz's Sun is Back Foundation, in honor of a close family member, Yantz Shirey, who lost his life earlier this year.(CMS)(10-7-2014)