In
October 2009, I started writing for Skirts and Scuffs. I never started with any intent to become a NASCAR media
member. At first, I wasn't comfortable with my writing, but it gradually gained
recognition. I received high praises for the articles I wrote. Even some
veteran media members commended me on my writing. I was surprised by all the
positive feedback because I had never formally written anything at all about
NASCAR until I joined the Skirts and Scuffs team.
Just before the 2010 season started, I established my own weekly
column. It was just a simple race recap, known as the Roush Rewind, that
covered Roush Fenway Racing after every race. It was the main thing I wrote for
the site. Occasionally, I wrote opinion pieces, but I always backed up my
opinions with facts or, if there were no facts to back up what I was saying, I
did my best to explain the logic behind my reasoning. If I wrote an opinion
piece, I made sure to write it in a way that it would not offend anyone (or at
least make it offend the least amount of people possible). Skirts and Scuffs
gradually gained recognition, and soon, the site became part of the NASCAR
Citizen's Journalist Media Corps. I could have asked for the site admin, Katy,
to send in a request for me to get media credentials for a race I attended that
year, but I never did. As I said before... Writing was something I was doing
for fun. I had no intention to work in the media center.
I stayed with Skirts and Scuffs until May 2011 when I left the
site. As time passed, I realized I did miss writing. I contemplated asking
to write for Skirts and Scuffs again, but wasn't quite sure I wanted to.
Later in the year, I got in contact with Dave Thompson who was looking for a
writer for his website Green2Checker. We met up at Bristol
Motor Speedway in August 2011 and talked briefly. By the end of our
conversation, I was told I would be the newest member of the Green2Checker
team. The next week, I was covering the Camping World Truck Series for the
site. I wrote race recaps for the series and had a weekly NCWTS preview post
where I'd discuss the upcoming race, give a few stats, and highlight drivers I
thought would be a factor for the win. It was a lot of fun, but my stint with
Green2Checker ended with the 2011 NASCAR season.
As the 2012 season drew near, I had the urge to write again. So,
once again, I returned to write for Skirts and Scuffs. Only this time around, I
covered Front Row Motorsports. I started a new weekly race recap, the Front Row
Report. Unfortunately, my passion for writing seemed to flee. In May, I once
again left the site.
Just what made me stop writing? I wasn't having fun writing
anymore because I realized a critical error in what I was doing. While my
writing was being highly praised, it couldn't be taken 100% serious because I
went against the unwritten rule about not showing that you play favorites.
Since Skirts and Scuffs was part of the Citizen's Journalist Media Corps. ,
that meant everyone one had to be on their best behavior, stop showing they
played favorites… basically abide by that unspoken rule of etiquette in the
media because what any one member did would reflect back on the site as a
whole.
Am I
willing to give up being an open fan of specific drivers to try and pursue some
sort of job within the NASCAR industry? I've thought about it, but let's be
honest here. Would it really matter in my case? For example, over the last two
years, I've established a reputation as one of the biggest Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.
fans out there. When I go to tweet-ups at any track, well-established
media members will always ask me about my feelings about Stenhouse’s chances in
an upcoming race or ask me something about a past race he has run. It’s way too
late now for me to suddenly stop being open about who I cheer for to try and
gain enough credibility to ever get a job in the business.
Writing hasn’t
been the only thing that led to my name being known though. Social media—Twitter
and Facebook, primarily—have led to me being recognized by the staff at Bristol
Motor Speedway. I’m well-known there, and I’ve had a few opportunities to
become a potential member of the Bristol family.
Many doors have opened for me over the last few years due to the
fact I managed to get my name out there through my writing as well as my active
social media accounts. Some opportunities that have come my way would have led
to promising job opportunities within the NASCAR industry, but I have
continually let those doors close. Have I made huge mistakes in letting that
happen? Maybe. Do I ever think about what I would be doing had I stepped
through one of those doors? Definitely. Do I regret letting those opportunities
pass me by? Sometimes. Some of the things I've let go are things that others
would give their left arm to even be offered to do.
However, just because I've let those doors close doesn't mean I
don't appreciate every opportunity I've had that has let me discover that I
really can make a name for myself…
To Katy Lindamood: Thank you for allowing me to become part of the
Skirts and Scuffs team, and to remain a part of it even though I've left the
site. It was your offer to let me write for S&S that truly sparked what
ended up being quite an adventure that started in October 2009. I enjoyed
writing for the site and realizing my writing talent and the potential it
had.
To the ladies at Skirts and Scuffs: It was a blast writing with
you. Some of you became the greatest friends I could have ever asked
for. I wish you all the best in continuing to debunk the stereotype regarding
female race fans. If any of you ever need anything, you know where to find me.
To the Green2Checker team -- Dave Thompson, David Starr, &
Holly Blake: Thank you all for allowing me to write for you the last few months
of the 2011 season. It was a bit of an adjustment to focus on a series in
general instead of focusing on just one team/driver in my articles, but it was
a fun challenge. It meant a lot that you all were willing to let me join the
team, even if it was for such a brief amount of time. I know I probably got on
your nerves at some point when trying to figure out how to post to the site and
figure out how get it all sorted out, but I at least hope you all enjoyed me
being a part of the team.
To Ben
Trout: I truly appreciate all you’ve done for me, all you’ve let me do, and all
you’ve offered to let me do over the last couple years as I’ve become (almost)
part of the Bristol family. You’ve given me great advice multiple times since
we first met, and I can’t thank you enough.
To
everyone at Bristol Motor Speedway: It is always a pleasure to walk into the
Bruton Smith building and be greeted with a smile, no matter whether it’s race
weekend or just a day when absolutely nothing is going on at the track. I look
forward to every chance I get to come by, even if I only stop by for five
minutes to say to a couple of you in the office.
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