DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - (KRT) - Tina Gordon says she'll get some support from manufacturer Chevrolet in this year's NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, which begins at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night.
But she expects plenty more assistance from her new sponsor, Vassarette, a brand of women's undergarments.
Earlier this week, Gordon, one of the few women competing at the top levels of stock car racing, showed off a Vassarette bra.
"Some days, women need a little help," said Gordon, who'll drive a Chevrolet Silverado for ThorSport Racing. "I think this bra is very flattering and I'll definitely have it on Friday."
Gordon, 34, began her racing career on dirt tracks in northern Alabama and later competed in super late-models at Birmingham International Raceway. She enjoys sliding about on the racetrack.
"I love competition," said Gordon, who ran 11 truck races in 2003. "The bumping and banging is what makes it fun."
Gordon isn't worried about being one of only two women drivers who will run regularly in the Craftsman Truck Series this season. Kelly Sutton is the other.
"When you're out there, no one worries if you're a man or women," says Gordon, whose best Craftsman Truck finishes last year were 13th at Charlotte and Nashville. "You don't have boy and girl gender trucks."
Gordon wants a strong year in trucks in 2004. She also hopes to start in a couple of Busch Grand National events and move into Nextel Cup in a couple of years.
"I think there are plenty of drivers who'd like to see me succeed in the truck series and move up," says Gordon. "That's my plan."
Gordon qualified 13th for Friday's race with a speed of 181.712 m.p.h. Terry Cook won the pole in a Ford, turning fast lap of 183.643 on the 2 1/2-mile trioval. Defending series champion Travis Kvapil was third at 182.830 in a Toyota, the first foreign manufacturer to race in NASCAR's top three series. Only two of the Japanese Tundras cracked the top 10, but none of the other five placed lower than 17th out of 41 drivers.