Pit strategy for your 50th annual Daytona 500 party

Every well-planned party must have a theme and your celebration of Daytona 500 is no exception.

But I couldn't help but wonder ... What is NASCAR's current theme? It would be helpful to know when making my playlist.

As I started to shop for decorations and look for menu ideas, I thought perhaps we are having somewhat of an identity crisis. "Back to basics" is apparently the catchphrase of the season, but NASCAR still wants to attract mainstream fans and become popular in large markets such as New York and California.

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I feel caught between Kelly Clarkson and Garth Brooks.

Well if you mixed the two artists together you might come up with something rather fabulous: Redneck Chic!

That's all I can figure as I toe the line between appealing to new NASCAR fans without alienating the core NASCAR fan base.

OK, let's not put too much thought into this; it's still just an excuse to get together, eat, drink and watch the race. Keep it simple. You have two days until the big show, the 50th running of the Great American Race. Here's my pit strategy for a fantastic festivity:

Key things to consider: menu, decorations, games and drinks

What to eat
Here and there, you can learn what drivers eat. Walking through the garage during race weekends, the smell of steaks grilling and barbeques stewing fill the air; dozens of recipes are swapped from hauler to hauler. Away from the track, who knows what drivers eat, but I do know that Juan Montoya loves Taco Bell, Tony Stewart is a McDonald's junkie, Jamie McMurray is on an all-organic diet and Carl Edwards, well he looks like he survives solely on powerbars and protein shakes.

So how can your menu capture all the characteristics of NASCAR cuisine? Here's what I came up with from a number of sources, including a Richard Petty cook book, some insight from epicurean Mario Batali and help from a NASCAR chef.

Batali said the night before a race at Dover International Speedway he was cooking dinner for some of the drivers when The King himself sidled over for some fixins.

"He politely inquired if, instead of the penne all'amatriciana I was serving, he might be able to get a steak. Unfortunately, that evening there wasn't one around. But if he shows up again, I'll be ready," Batali said.

I don't think gnawing on a big fat steak is conducive for a party where you want your guests lively; steaks could put them in a food-induced coma. Mini turkey cheeseburgers atop a waffle fry are my best bet and approved by my pal Jared from Subway!

Mini Turkey Burgers
Ingredients
• Ground turkey
• 1 bag of frozen waffle fries
• Roma tomatoes
• Cheese of your choice
• Minced onions
• Salt
• Pepper

Directions
Shape ground turkey into small patties, cook in skillet both sides until done. Meanwhile, prepare as directed one bag of waffle fries. Remove fries from oven; place the cooked turkey burgers atop the waffle fries along with a small piece of cheddar and half a Roma tomato. Broil until cheese is melted and serve.

Sprint Cup Cakes
Ingredients
• Your favorite cake box mix or a No Pudge Fudge Brownie Mix
• An array of colored icings
• Candy numbers
• Baking cups

The No Pudge is an organic mix that only requires you to use vanilla yogurt; simple and half the fat and calories of cake mix and none of the harmful partially hydrogenated oils or fructose corn syrup.

Directions
Pour mix into baking cup, bake accordingly and decorate with icing and car numbers. (Continued)