News-Record.com

True story: A few years ago before I got married, I got suckered into going to one of those bridal shows with my bride-to-be. As I'm standing outside the Greensboro Coliseum's Special Events Center, I noticed a lot of guys wearing camo and carrying shotguns. Seems the other side of the coliseum was hosting an outdoors show.

Apparently this men-to-the-left, women-to-the-right sort of event pairing is pretty common 'round these parts. I think it's clever -- it's fun for the whole family, after all.

So it's in that something-for-everyone spirit I mention this:

Harlequin to publish NASCAR romance novels

and

The Coors Light car will run a camoflague paint scheme this weekend.

It gets worse.

Here's the promo copy from the first book in the series: "In the Groove."

She wouldn't know a NASCAR star if he hit her with his car-and he just did.

Sarah was a kindergarten teacher until a sleazy ex-boyfriend got her fired. Now the only job she can find is driving the motor coach for racing star Lance Cooper...whoever that is. Sarah doesn't know a thing about NASCAR—she just needs a job, and she’s off to a rocky start when she doesn't even recognize her ultra-famous boss.

Lance can't help but notice Sarah’s sweet smile—and how seriously unimpressed she is with his fame. It's a reaction that peaks his interest--that is, until things get a little too friendly on the bus. But Sarah has no interest in Lance's jet-setting life; she'd rather deal with spit balls than one super sexy race car driver.

But when things begin to heat up on the track, Sarah begins to wonder if life in the fast lane might be a detour worth taking—and if maybe, just maybe, she might be able to take a famous race car driver down a rocky road to find love.

I got that from the home page of the author, whose backlist includes "Dangerous Curves," "Seduced" and "Red Hot Santa." ("Red Hot Santa," by the way, could be a good nickname for somebody.)

And just when you think things can't get any stranger, there's this from the Ganassi release:

Along with the paint scheme, Coors Brewing Company launched a truly unique, one-of-a-kind package, the camouflage can. The 2005 Coors and Coors Light Camouflage Can is the ideal beer container for the American outdoorsman. This packaging will be available in certain markets through November 2005. NASCAR fans - be sure to pick up a case of 16-ounce Coors/Coors Light Camouflage Cans to complete your racing/hunting experience.

Beer and shotguns are fine by themselves. But together? Maybe you ought to stay out of the woods this month unless you're using a blaze orange beer coozie.