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Track Chic talks with Mary to learn more about her life behind the wheel of Racing Milestones:
"America’s  Race Fan Magazine".Tell me a little about yourself. When did you become interested in journalism?
I have always been interested in writing since childhood. I studied History and English in college, and earned a Masters in English, with the intention of writing professionally.
How did you become interested in motorsports?
It’s interesting; I’ve always been interested in cars, not necessarily racing as a youngster, but certainly cars. My grandmother was one of the first women to drive in Mobile, Alabama where I grew up. I remember everything about it; it was an old crank car and the whole driving process just captivated me. I have remained fascinated since.
When did you become the editor of Racing Milestones?
I began writing automotive stories for the Virginian Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia. Our focus then was to attract women to the automotive section so we featured stories women found informative including “how to properly strap you’re a baby into a car seat” and simple car maintenance tips, features on local car clubs, area antique car shows, etc.
I was invited by Trader Publishing, now owned by Cox Enterprises, to help launch their new Racing Milestones, which began as a one issue publication. Interest grew quickly and the magazine became a quarterly publication, then became six issues annually until in 1998 it grew into the monthly publication it is today. I read and researched constantly, from morning until midnight. Our magazine has a different edge from our competitors; we focus on the personal stories and personalities of the drivers rather than on the technical aspects of the sport.
Was it challenging to be taken seriously in motorsports’ men’s club? For the most part I have been taken seriously and gender has not been an issue. There was one time, however, on a media tour when I was the only woman in a group of three or four guys. I asked a question of the Crew Chief and he just responded with a look as though I were from another planet. He didn’t even answer my question, but skipped over it. Eventually another gentleman in the group asked the exact same question, and the Crew Chief answered his question most politely and most thoroughly. That moment stuck with me. The insult was so obvious and deliberate. It has sometimes been challenging, but for the most part, if you do a good job, you rise above it. I am fortunate to work with a great group of writers and photographers. They have been around for years and have been very helpful.
Do you have any strategies to attract more female readers?
We often get comments trackside from male readers who tell us that they love our magazine because it‘s the only one their wives enjoy reading also! I think our focus on the personal stories behind the scenes make our magazine appealing to women. We also have our Hot Grills recipe feature. We will be expanding this section into three pages showcasing “What’s in your refrigerator?” interviews with drivers. Our focus on exceptional photography and personal interviews, rather than technical aspects, will continue to grow our female market base.
Do you have a favorite driver?
It’s important for me to stay neutral, but I have different favorites each week, depending on the skills exhibited in that weekend’s race.
What was the best race you ever saw?
Texas, 2000 when Dale, Jr. won his first Cup race. We were in the booth working all weekend and it was such an exciting time in Victory Lane. His Dad came over to hug him. It was so very emotional, a great moment for everyone, for the Earnhardt family and for the fans. We all knew that we had witnessed a historic moment, a very special moment in time.
If you ran NASCAR for a day, what rule would you change?
Qualifying. I think there should be no past champion’s provisionals and no top-35 in owner’s points get in. Everyone should have to qualify for their position. It isn’t safe to have drivers competing under speeds and conditions they are no longer competent to handle. They are a danger to themselves and all the other drivers on the track.
Do you have any suggestions for invigorating NASCAR’s declining audience?
Reduce the ticket prices. It has become very expensive for the average fan to attend the races. Hotels’ three night minimums make going to the track impossible for many fans. Families are finding it difficult to stretch their budgets enough to cover the rising price of gas, high ticket prices, hotel costs, babysitting costs, etc,. to be able to go to the track as often as they would like. TV coverage is great, but nothing like actually being at the track to experience the noise, the adrenaline and the enthusiasm of the fans. If you want to grow interest, you have to be able to have more people experience the thrill of the track, especially the younger people, to keep the enthusiasm growing.
And if racers really had to compete to qualify, it would make the races more exciting to watch.
You also appear weekly on the weekly television show “Raceline”. Your “Mary Scully's Point of View” segment is fantastic! Have you always been so outspoken? Have you suffered any backlash from your commentary?
This is great fun and a perfect forum to talk. Yes, I do suffer backlash from time to time, mostly about qualifying --- as I said before, qualifying should be qualifying. If your driving skills are sharp enough to compete then prove it. Otherwise you are putting lives at risk. It would be ideal to have a seniors tour of old school racing with past champions competing at smaller tracks. Fans would love it!
Mary Scully’s Quick Point of View:
> Dale Earnhardt move from DEI to Hendrick Motorsports It’s a great move and the right thing for him to do. No question he has talent and he is not just riding his father’s coattails. He wants to win. Now, given the right equipment, he should be able to give us some dramatic races. But now the pressure is on, there are no more excuses. It will be an interesting year for sure. >> Car of Tomorrow
Safer – there has been so much negativity regarding the Car of Tomorrow with false claims that NASCAR will become like IROC. That is not accurate. The purpose of COT was to provide more safety features with bumper-to-bumper crush zones, etc. All efforts to make the sport safer should be appreciated. >>>Sponsorship vs. Sportsmanship
Sponsorship concerns creep into many areas, including qualifying. Sponsors are demanding guarantees of air time for the money they are investing and the top 35 get the most coverage. It is a difficult balance. The sponsors are investing huge money, but NASCAR is trying to play it both ways and sooner or later NASCAR needs to do what is right for the sport.
Given NASCAR’s 40% female market base, and NASCAR’s preference to remain gender neutral with no specific plans to market directly to their growing female audience, what is your opinion of Track Chic’s efforts to bring focus to the females involved in motorsports and provide female race fans their own sense of “community” and “sisterhood” within this male dominated sport?
I think it is a great idea and long overdue. There are so many women involved in the sport today, particularly in marketing, and it is terrific to bring everyone together and appreciate the female fan base.
At the beginning of this new season do you care to give Track Chic your predictions for 2008?
Sprint Cup Champion: Jeff Gordon; Jeff is eager for his 5th Cup Title Nationwide Series Champion: Carl Edwards; Carl is untouchable right now Craftsman Truck Champion: Jack Sprague; Kevin Harvick brought in new Crew Chief, Ernie Cope. Jack should have a phenomenal year. With the Daytona 500 upon us, we’ll soon know if Mary’s predictions for 2008 are correct!
So start your engines, ladies - let’s go racing!  If you would like more information about Racing Milestones Magazine or to view
Raceline's Mary Scully's Point of View, please click here.  
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