Clothing may attract female NASCAR fans

Friday, August 25, 2006 KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS Forget the camis and faded cut offs. NASCAR style may be taking a new turn. A Memphis company called Track Couture has introduced a lifestyle clothing brand targeting the women who follow the races. It claims to have the first NASCAR licensed line strictly for women. It includes hoodies, mini skirts, tanks and pants and carries the NASCAR logo. It is available on www.trackcouture.com and some racing team stores. NASCAR-licensed merchandise covers a broad range of goods from uniform jackets to jewelry to furniture. The sport is so far-reaching that Elizabeth Arden recently introduced a cologne and aftershave for men called Daytona 500, the most prestigious race on the circuit. Does it smell like gas and sweat? The New York Times says the press release describes it as a mix of yuzu, bergamot, mandarin, sage, nutmeg, cardamom, amber and sandalwood. NASCAR hopes the scent will also appeal to women who will buy it for their men. And in another effort to touch the female fan, the Times reports, the group also has a licensing deal with Harlequin Romance novels. Huh?