NASCAR speed dating not as easy as it seems

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- For me, dating is like buying gas: necessary but no fun.

And the general consensus is that you can't find a good man in a bar, so how about a racetrack?

Carl Edwards Credit: Len Pepe/Getty Images

Harlequin Series

In response to fan reaction and growing sales of the three single titles released in 2006, Harlequin Enterprises Limited and NASCAR are launching a new NASCAR-themed book series. The two companies are expanding their relationship with the release of 20 books throughout 2007, 16 of which will be part of this new series.

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I tried to answer this question Friday at Daytona International Speedway during a speed-dating event hosted by Harlequin, publishers of the NASCAR-licensed romance novels at the track promoting their newly released title Speed Dating by Nancy Warren.

Speed dating is supposed to be like shooting fish in a bucket, a guaranteed date, and I'm all about a sure thing.

More enticing, Carl Edwards -- Mr. McSteamy of NASCAR -- was in attendance.

Wait ... if he's Mr. McSteamy, does that make Kasey Kahne, Mr. McDreamy? For all you Grey's Anatomy fans, I digress.

Finally, with the wave of a green flag, I was thrown into a mix of men and women for several seven-minute speed dates looking to find "the one."

I found an electrician from Canada, a motocross manufacturer from California and a Roush-Fenway exec from Indiana. We carried on superficial conversation: where we were from, our favorite NASCAR drivers, hobbies, interests, etc.

Did I find love?

No, but I got a free book and dished with Edwards about his love life.

I was curious to see where and how NASCAR drivers meet quality people considering they reside at a loud racetrack no less than 36 weekends out of the year -- doesn't seem all that conducive for dating.

"It's hard to find someone to go out with and feel comfortable, or to find something that is simple," said Edwards, driver of the No. 99 Ford Fusion.

Apparently, being a super-talented racecar driver with washboard abs and a killer smile doesn't guarantee you a match made in NASCAR heaven these days. (Continued)