Lack of female drivers puts spotlight on young Helberg

If you haven't noticed, a weekend at the track is no longer a boys trip.

The X chromosome factor, estrogen invasion, SHECAR -- whatever you want to call it, girls, girls, girls and more girls are going to races.

NASCAR's new and growing female fan base is strong -- 30 million strong, according to NASCAR marketers.

Drive for Diversity

Jessica Helberg returns to the Drive for Diversity program this year as the only female driver.

• Complete story, click here

With numbers like that, women are in a position of power. Does that mean new bathrooms at Bristol, low-carb options at the concession stands, Bacardi Breezers alongside the Bud tubs?

Not sure, however, the ladies have already made an impression on the retail side of the sport creating a demand for more feminine NASCAR fashions. No longer do women have to sport the one-size-fits-all T-shirts sold in the merchandise haulers.

So with all the hype around the flourishing female fan base, one can't help but wonder:

When is the sport going to produce a female driver the female fans can get behind?

Speaking of, where is Erin Crocker?

Is she taking an unplanned hiatus?

If so, what about DeLana Harvick? She looks fierce in a firesuit and seemingly knows as much about racing as husband Kevin Harvick.

As unrealistic as the notion may be, NASCAR could benefit from a female personality on the track.

Typically where NASCAR sees the strongest female representation is in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Although this season is the first time in five years the series has not had at least one full-time female driver, said Owen Kearns Jr., senior manager of communications for the Truck Series.

Temporarily, fans can get behind Kelly Sutton, who has 51 starts and a career-best finish of 15th in 2005 at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Sutton will run in four Truck races this season beginning at Kansas Speedway.

As for the Busch and Cup series, not a single sign of a female entry.

Well, all is not lost ladies. A further look into the sport's smaller series leads us to Jessica Helberg.

The 19-year-old blonde on wheels is returning for her second season in NASCAR's Drive for Diversity program piloting a ride for Bill McAnally Racing in conjunction with Richard Childress Racing.

A third-generation driver who began racing after watching her brother race Outlaw Dirt Karts, Helberg, at age 13, convinced her father to let her drive his old kart.

In 2005, Helberg moved to pavement, racing asphalt Sprint cars before making the transition last season to full-bodied Late Model stock cars.

This year, she will compete with other diversity drivers in the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series.

"I feel like this is my one shot to make it big in NASCAR," Helberg said from her home in Rohnert Park, Calif.

Until the Indy Racing League's Danica Patrick refuels lofty rumors of switching to stock cars, female fans, keep your eye on Helberg.