Bleacher Babe of the Month: December, 2012

By - Kris Fletcher

A steady rise of smoke, the squealing of thick wall tires, and the distinguished smell of rubber are what introduce our Bleacher Babe for the month of December.

So without further ado, meet Ronda Cooley!

Photo by: Michael Lee

Hi, I'm Ronda! Now take off those ear muffs and through the rumble allow me to point out some of the highlights of racing -- whether it's no right turns or heading down the drag strip.

Racing is my favorite sport because contrary to its nasty misconception of being "red neck," it actually takes skill, knowledge, strategy, strength, and determination.

No guys, I'm not just taking about myself here, but the sport itself.

Of course, another great thing about racing is the power.

Come on, what woman, or man for that matter, doesn't like an insane amount of power? It's right there at your fingertips. It's all yours, and how you take control of it is what gets you to the finish line. At that moment, there is no other emotion other than the strategy to win.

Going down the strip against a fellow competitor or way up in the nose bleeds, you feel it -- the vibrations. You hear the roar of the motor giving back what you and your crew put in it. You're controlling it, and developing a continuous line of strategy play-by-play.

If you haven't already noticed, I'm very in tune with my senses -- and with racing itself.

Photo by: Michael Lee

Each and every single sense is stimulated in racing. I can feel the power through all the vibrations. I can hear the steady roar of the motor and the air power tools. I can see the crowd cheering and the rise of smoke. I can smell the burning rubber, gas, and oil. I can taste the very sweat off my face as I stand near those hot machines.

If you find yourself in the stands or at home watching on TV, there's nothing like watching buffed up muscle cars pull up to the stripe as they do their burn out while you try to guess their time.

Yes -- it's okay to be wrong!

Even though only one person can win, racing is about the only sport these eyes have seen where if you lose your carburetor, a fellow competitor will give you one of theirs. Each team, from the very driver down to the rookie in the pit crew, is one big family, and will go to great lengths to help one another out.

Racing is a sport where woman can flourish and out-strategize their male counterpart. Where fathers and sons can have a night out. Where family is family...and remains family.

It took you about 58.35 secs to come across the finish line of my lil' view of racing, didn't it? :)

Photo by: Michael Lee

I don't know much, but I do know what constitutes a nice car. And not only can I jump inside and handle it, but I can also control each and every RPM I rev up. Don't believe me? Then let's run em!

Until then, shake and bake, baby! Shake and bake!