"Girl's Guide to NASCAR" Targeted to Growing Female Fan Base

Center Street, a division of the Hachette Book Group USA, will release "The Girl's Guide to NASCAR" by Liz Allison on May 1, as part of the NASCAR Library Collection. With 40% of NASCAR's 75 million fans being female, and NASCAR TV ratings for females continuing to climb, this new title is a must-read for both the casual and avid female NASCAR fan.

Center Street, a heartland imprint, and NASCAR will work together to promote the title to NASCAR fans everywhere. "The Girl's Guide to NASCAR" takes a fun and detailed approach to explaining all the ins and outs of NASCAR from a woman's perspective. As NASCAR continues to make strides in appealing to its rapidly-growing female audience, this new publishing venture offers a terrific opportunity for female fans to get a unique insight into America's fastest-growing sport.

"NASCAR continues to focus on that ever-important segment of its fan base - and that's the female audience," said Mark Dyer, NASCAR vice president of licensing. "Liz Allison's new book - "The Girl's Guide to NASCAR" - should be an excellent addition to the NASCAR Library Collection and provide our female fans with a unique perspective into America's fastest-growing sport. Liz has a great feel for the sport and has the ability to successfully relate her experiences and knowledge into a fun and informative read."

Thus far this season, NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series television ratings for female fans are up 17%. Additionally, over the past three years, TV viewership of NASCAR races among females has grown 17%, according to Nielsen Media Research. NASCAR is the second highest-rated sport among females, trailing only the NFL.

Allison has been a veteran of the racetrack as a driver's wife and later, as a member of the sports media covering NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series events. Allison was married to NASCAR racing superstar Davey Allison until his untimely death in 1993. Her dedication to the sport continues today as she covers the sport of stock car racing through many facets of the media. A television and radio reporter, Allison has written three published books on racing and is a contributing author to numerous race publications.

"My passion for NASCAR runs deep," said Allison. "I get so excited about the growth of the sport, but particularly the female fan base. That is, without question, the main reason for writing the book. This book is for the female fan who wants to know everything from what the rules mean, to why NASCAR hands down penalties, how to purchase tickets to a race and how to enjoy the sport more with your kids. I hope my personal experiences will help educate the millions of female NASCAR fans out there who really want to know who, what, when, where and why."

A division of NASCAR's overall licensing operation in its Charlotte office, NASCAR Publishing currently oversees more than 40 licensed publishing partners. In 2004, NASCAR launched the NASCAR Library Collection which provides a level of authentication and quality to NASCAR's licensed books.

Center Street will host an official launch party on May 2 at Mere Bulles restaurant in Nashville, Tenn., to unveil "The Girl's Guide to NASCAR". Allison will also hold an autograph signing April 29 in Talladega, Ala., at Wal-Mart store #432. Accompanying her will be her father-in-law and former NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Bobby Allison.

About Center Street
Center Street is part of Hachette Book Group USA. It is home to bestselling authors such as Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee, novelist Karen Kingsbury and e-Harmony founder Neil Clark Warren.