Hair today, gone tomorrow for the frolicking follicles

Some hair-raising wagers are taking place around the NASCAR garage these days, literally! Bets are being made and high stakes are on the line, but instead of gambling with money, NASCAR types are hocking their hair.

What is it about men using hair as a motivational tool? Some grow it like a Chia Pet, while others cut it clean as a cue ball all in the name of perceived victory.

"Godfather" Dave Moody

For instance:

• In an act of solidarity several New York Mets players went Britney Spears-bald earlier this season and shaved their domes ...

• The Phoenix Suns forewent comfort on the court and refused to shave their faces in fear of breaking their winning streak ...

• If Magglio Ordonez of the Detroit Tigers hits .300, manager Jim Leyland promises to wash the right fielder's trademark locks ...

• And although Atlanta Falcons quarterback shirked on his promise, Michael Vick claimed he wouldn't cut his hair until his team won a Super Bowl.

NASCAR's Tom Giacchi headed down a similar path and refused to cut his beard until driver and long-time pal Carl Edwards won another Nextel Cup race. ... Edwards obliged on Sunday at Michigan to end a 52-race winless drought.

Motor-home driver for the No. 99 team, Giacchi -- who made the stand last year and said he wouldn't shave until Edwards won a Cup race -- could be mistaken for a young Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top.

In fact, Giacchi's beard had grown so long "creatures" took up residence within the whiskers. November 2005 at the Texas had been the last time Edwards visited Victory Lane.

Edwards said at Dover, "We were sitting in the motor home and Tom looked at me and said, 'I think I got a tick in my beard.'

"He spread his hair and sure enough it was a tick. I said, 'Dude, you have creatures living in your beard.' "

Giacchi was ready to shave off the beard, but Edwards was more eager to break his winless streak. "I'll be happy, Tom will be happy, the only ones unhappy will be the parasites," Edwards said. (Continued)