Meet the Miss Winstons

Brandy DeJongh

Brandy DeJongh (pronounced De-Young) is in her second season as Miss Winston after officially starting her duties as a representative with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., in January of 2002.

A Texas resident and student at Baylor University, Brandy is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in Communications with hopes of one day breaking into the field as a sports analyst or commentator. When she's not at the racetrack or hitting the books, this 24-year-old beauty can be found spending quality time with her prized horses.

PHOTO GALLERY  View more pictures of Brandy and Shannon

She's a cowgirl at heart, with a lifelong passion for rodeo. In fact, Brandy gained national fame in 2000 when she won the title of Miss Rodeo America, serving as the national spokesperson for rodeo, traveling the country as a liaison between rodeo competitors and rodeo fans. Miss Rodeo America contestants are judged on personality, appearance and horsemanship, and Brandy became the first competitor in pageant history to sweep all three categories.

The hectic NASCAR Winston Cup Series schedule, which includes interacting with race fans at weekly at-track autograph sessions, doesn't bother Brandy in the least. As Miss Rodeo America, she became accustomed to handling a wide variety of events in a seemingly limited amount of time, in addition to extensively traveling the United States.

Brandy is a native of Lakewood, Calif., and currently lives in Waco, Texas.

Shannon Wiseman

Shannon Wiseman is in her second season as Miss Winston after officially starting her duties as a representative with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., in July of 2002.

A student at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, where she is pursuing a degree in public relations and journalism, Shannon enjoys reading, writing, jogging, dancing and spending time on her computer.

If she looks familiar, it may be from her appearances on MTV as part of the national cable network's "So You Wannabe a VJ" contest. Shannon caught the eye of network talent scouts and advanced all the way to the finals, where she finished in the runner-up position following a vote by network viewers.

Following her MTV experience, Shannon turned to radio, where she served as a morning show intern for popular Charlotte rock station WEND (106.5 FM).

Shannon currently works for a popular salon and day spa in Charlotte, as well as a print model for Marilyn's in Greensboro, N.C. However, this 24-year-old beauty is more than a pretty face. She is the owner of Royal Routines, Inc., where she instructs and choreographs routines for competitive dance and cheerleading.

In fact, her current role as Miss Winston isn't Shannon's first exposure to the high-profile world of professional athletics. In 2001, Shannon performed for National Basketball Association (NBA) crowds as a member of the Charlotte (now New Orleans) Hornets' elite dance team known as the "Honeybees."

The hectic NASCAR Winston Cup Series schedule, which includes interacting with race fans at weekly at-track autograph sessions, doesn't bother Shannon in the least. As a model, she's become accustomed to handling a wide variety of events in a seemingly limited amount of time. In addition, she's had the opportunity to visit many parts of the United States as Miss Winston.

Shannon currently lives in the stock car racing capital of the United States, Charlotte, N.C.

Future candidates for Miss Winston must go through Marilyn's, a modeling agency in Greensboro, N.C. Images and biographies courtesy RJR.