For NASCAR fans, working with guys like Richard Petty and Tony Stewart would be a dream come true. But what if you aren't a follower of the sport -- would the effect still be the same? For Stacey Harris, the brand manager for Goody's Headache Powder, a longtime sponsor of NASCAR, the answer is a resounding yes.

"There are words that don't describe it," Harris said. "It has been a treasure and a joy to work with them."

Harris' foray into NASCAR began two years ago, when she accepted the job with Goody's. As an undergraduate from North Carolina Central University in Durham, N.C., Harris admitted when she took the position, her knowledge of the sport was "minimal to non-existent," but all it took was one trip to historic Darlington Raceway for her to become a fan for life.

"All I can say is my first impression was 'wow,'" Harris said. "It was so much more than I ever expected. Some people have said to me, 'NASCAR isn't it kind of boring? The cars are just going around in circles for all these miles?' I was like, I'm gonna go and find out. And I found it to be so much more exciting.

"You're at the edge of your seat because you never know what is going to happen. [Look at] the last lap of the Daytona 500, where Tony Stewart was leading and then all of a sudden on the last lap, it changed and he ended up coming in third. That's what makes NASCAR engaging and exciting and interesting and it's so much more than cars going around in a circle. Once you've experienced it, you kind of become hooked on it."

As brand manager for Goody's, Harris is responsible for the entire management of the headache powder, which includes marketing, retail, new product development and managing the company's relationships with all of its NASCAR partners.

One of those partners is 200-race winner and Goody's spokesman for life, Petty, who Harris says is one truly amazing individual.

"Richard is the epitome of a gentleman, Southern hospitality and he's just overall a great person," Harris said. "When I joined Goody's and started working with them, they brought me in as part of the family.

"I feel very honored to be working with him and it was quite a privilege to facilitate him as our lifetime spokesperson for Goody's."

Petty, the first driver to become a life-long spokesperson for a non-automotive company when he signed an extension with Goody's in 2007 (read more), said Harris is part of the team at Petty Enterprises.

"Even though she was new to the sport, Stacey jumped into racing with both feet and immediately became part of the Petty Enterprises family," Petty said. "She has an enthusiastic personality, smart ideas and a big smile that always makes working with her enjoyable."

As a black woman in NASCAR, Harris defines the word "minority." This is a sport that has seen one black driver in a national series in the past 20 years and just a few women drivers in that timeframe, as well. She said her race and gender have never been an issue -- and she doesn't see it becoming one.

"Everybody has just been so helpful, me being a novice to the sport of NASCAR," Harris said. "I see it as a family and everybody has welcomed me with open arms, always willing to answer a question or help me out, so I really appreciate that. I've never had any issues with race whatsoever. I think as NASCAR increases its appeal beyond the Southeast it just shows how open the community is for everyone.

"I think you see that the drivers of NASCAR are starting to be a little bit more diverse and in time I think it will be like any other sport where it will probably be more diverse. I think the fan base is very diverse. You see people of all backgrounds and nationalities at the track enjoying the race."

As a woman who works on the business side of the sport, Harris sees the efforts NASCAR is making to market the sport to those who are less familiar with it and she believes the efforts will pay off in the long run.

"In my short time in racing, I have seen strides made in the marketing of NASCAR to minorities," Harris said. "In some of the race markets, there have been effective social events and co-promotions with Hip-Hop and Latin radio stations that have exposed NASCAR and its personalities to potentially new fans.

"If you continue to expose more people to the sport and eventually get them to a race, most will become fans. I am living proof that once you experience NASCAR racing -- it's easy to get hooked."

NASCAR's director of business operations, Andrew Giangola, confirmed diversity is a priority. He also credits Harris with what she has accomplished in such a short time in the sport.

"Diversity is important in NASCAR, just as it is in any other business or industry in the world," Giangola said. "You always want the best talent, and talent knows no color.

"Goody's has been a big part of NASCAR for a long time -- supporting drivers, teams and tracks. Dedicated professionals like Stacey Harris are an important part of the company's enduring success and strong presence in the sport."

One of the many perks Harris gets with her career is going to the track about 10 times a year. She admits it's not as many as those attended by die-hard fans, but there's just something about being there in person.

"Because of the job and working, I do go to a handful of races and I really look forward to them and enjoy them," Harris said. "I look forward to it every time I go.

"My best experience is the start of the race, with the flyover. I'm like a kid in a candy store; I think that is just the coolest way to start a race. It's very patriotic, it's very emotional, it's high-energy, power-charged. That to me is just synonymous with the sport and it's really cool."

Harris loves working for Goody's and being involved in NASCAR. You can hear the smile on her face as she describes her career. And although she is a minority now, she doesn't see it staying that way for very long.

"Being an African-American woman in the sport, I see tremendous opportunity," she said, "not only for myself but for the fans. [NASCAR] is really a great organization.

"From here on out, I will be a NASCAR follower. It is truly addictive. Once you get the bug, I think you have the bug for life."