She is now the President of Track Chic, the first worldwide social membership, shopping, charity, and news network for female motorsports fans that promotes speed, style and sisterhood.

How did Track Chic come about?
Having lived internationally since 1994, my husband and I were stunned to see the explosion in the popularity of motorsports, particularly NASCAR, when we returned to the United States a few years ago.  Having the name Earnheart, and given the popularity of the sport and this racing legend, we began to pay more attention to racing so that we could better communicate with friends and neighbors who were fans.  It seemed that the more I watched, the less I knew. I began to recognize that women, like myself, were being ignored. Although women comprise over 40% of the audience, motorsports is still very much a sport dominated by men. I wanted to create an environment where women feel welcome and are comfortable sharing their passion as well as a sense of sisterhood and security.  A man has the luxury of walking in to any venue at any time and watching the game or race of his choice without feeling conspicuous or out of place. Women sometimes need a sense of numbers to enjoy that same experience.  Track Chic is the communication tool that gives women that security, and Crew Teams make it fun for like-minded women to travel together to the race tracks, or enjoy vacations, shop and share other social opportunities together as friends.  And remember, Track Chic is not NASCAR specific, but includes all genres of racing including Formula 1, INDY IRL, NHRA/IHRA, Motorcycles, etc.   Track Chic is an international membership, so for instance, if you always dreamed of watching the cars race through the winding streets of Monte Carlo at the Monaco Grand Prix, Track Chic’s sisterhood, through our Chic Chat forum and Crew Team WebPages, can help make that dream a reality.

I also discovered that most of the fashions available trackside today are men’s T-shirts resized to fit a woman or are very skimpy and mostly focused on “belly buttons & beer” and therefore appeal to a limited audience.  Always obsessed with fashion, I found it challenging to find anything suitable to wear to the tracks. I decided that Track Chic will have two lines of clothing:  Sassy Chic, a trendy collection of logo embellished hoodies, T-shirts, caps, etc.; and Classy Chic, a specialty line of custom-designed fashions including original artwork race-inspired silk wrap skirts, fabulous open-back tops, our own line of jewelry, etc.  Both lines are appropriate for office, social occasions, shopping – as well as wearing to the race track.

I was puzzled at the lack of media focus on the many women involved in the motorsport industry.  There are numerous women engaged both behind the wheels as drivers and team owners and also executives working behind the scenes, including Motorsports Authentics President, Ruth Crowley; Mary Scully, Editor of Racing Milestone Magazine; Yvonne Szeto the architect design partner for the NASCAR museum in Charlotte; and AskPatty.com’s own respected Advisory Panel of Deborah Renshaw, Daytona Dayton, Lori Johnson and Amy Mattinat. Track Chic aims to help level the playing field and promote their accomplishments in our monthly “Women behind the Wheels” interview feature. 

I feel it is also very important to give something back to the community.  Through Track Chic’s unique “Fun Money” program, a portion of all proceeds is dedicated to causes important to women, including children, education, women's health issues, job training and support for our military families struggling with the emotional and physical wounds of war.  Sometimes it is the littlest things that make the biggest difference.  For instance, our November issue of Women behind the Wheels will feature Pattie Petty and the generous work of the Victory Junction Gang Camp.  The camp enriches the lives of many children coping with chronic medical conditions or serious illnesses.  As part of their visit to the camp, each child receives a handmade teddy bear to take home. In partnership with the Victory Junction Gang, Track Chic includes Victory Junction Gang’s Teddy Bear pattern in our membership kits and encourages members to organize Chic Stitchin’ parties, like quilting bees from simpler times, to come together and share a special sense of sisterhood while doing something good for others.

What is the Savvy Chic crash course?
Track Chic’s Savvy Chic Crash Course helps explain the fundamental nuts and bolts of auto racing as well as translate the lingo unique to motorsports, all in a female friendly environment.  Through our partnership with STATS and AP News we will also provide up-to-the-minute race results and driver information to our audience.  We will continue to expand Savvy Chic’s Crash Course and include helpful information on car care tips, understanding insurance policies, safe RV travel pointers, etc., through a series of informational videos, podcasts and audiocasts.

You share a name with one of the most famous NASCAR divas -- what's that like, do people confuse the two of you?   
Yes, every day!  Here in the North Georgia Mountains, NASCAR is pretty much a religion and Dale Earnhardt (Senior and Junior) is revered.  Even though our names are spelled differently, the much respected surname has provided excellent dinner reservations and even preferential treatment at the Department of Motor Vehicles where they once advanced me to the front of the line when renewing my drivers’ license!

What are you hoping to accomplish with Track Chic?
I hope to create an environment where female motorsport fans can feel comfortable participating with like-minded women around the world who share their enthusiasm for racing, where they can learn more about the sport they love and the women who fuel it, and where members join together on a local level to share their passion, enjoy a unique sense of sisterhood and give back to their community.

What is Track Chic's relationship with Marsha Mason? That's a pretty cool association?
Isn’t that great ...what a privilege and what a special lady!  I remember years ago when Paul Newman and his celebrity friends, including Marsha Mason and Tom Cruise, would race at the nearby track, Road Atlanta near Atlanta.  Our little town was quite abuzz with celebrity fever.  Marsha Mason trained at Road Atlanta under Jim “Fitzy” Fitzgerald and is truly a pioneer as a female SCCA competitor at that time.

Today, Marsha Mason puts that same energy and passion into her pure, organic skin and wellness products grown on her herbal farm in Northern New Mexico.  It is a special privilege to be working with Marsha Mason; she and her staff have been extremely supportive of Track Chic and very helpful.  Through Track Chic Boutique’s Body Shop, we hope to educate Track Chic members on the benefits of reading the label and being aware of the many chemicals (including petrochemicals, parabens and others)  included in their lotions, sunscreens, deodorant, etc.,  before applying them to their body.

Why should women join Track Chic?
Women should join Track Chic to learn more about the sport they love, to share their passion for speed with like-mindedwomen, to enjoy a special sense of sisterhood while promoting the achievements of women in the industry, and to support charitable causes important to them.

Earnheart is thrilled that Track Chic has been so quickly well received. Soon they will announce some exciting opportunities including a promotional partnership with Clyde Valley Racing. Based in the United Kingdom, Team CVR operates a Zero Carbon policy and will be the only carbon-neutral team to compete in the British Touring Car Championship.


By Linda Przygodski
Contributing Editor
AskPatty.com