Former miss winston cups

Miss Sprint Cup became a NASCAR staple when Sprint took over as NASCAR's title sponsor in 2008. You've seen her face in every Victory Lane interview, standing next to the driver as he talks to Fox, TNT or ESPN about how awesomely his car and his crew performed. She wears a firesuit with a big Sprint logo on it. She is, of course, Miss Sprint Cup.

Unfortunately, we won't be seeing her there any longer. Sprint announced in December 2014 that it would not be extending its NASCAR sponsorship beyond 2016, citing a "highly competitive business environment" and changes within the company as the motivating factors. NASCAR announced in December 2016 that Monster Energy was taking over as the new entitlement sponsor.​

Miss Sprint Cup may be gone, but she won't be easily forgotten and questions about her remain. Who is she? How did she get the job? Does she do anything else besides stand next to the winner in Victory Lane? Here are the details.

The Three Miss Sprint Cups

Here's the first thing you may not realize about Miss Sprint Cup: Three different women have held the title over the years.

• Kim Coon: Kim is from Orlando, Florida. She became Miss Sprint Cup at the start of the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup season.
• Jaclyn Roney: Jaclyn is from Ann Arbor, Michigan. She became Miss Sprint Cup in the middle of the 2011 Sprint Cup season.
• Kristen Beat: Kristen is from El Cajon, California. 2012 was her first season as Miss Sprint Cup.

The program actually started as "Sprint Speed Ambassadors" in 2007. Then, when Sprint took over as the title sponsor the following year, it was renamed "Miss Sprint Cup." This program carried on a tradition that began in 1971 when "Miss Winston" provided marketing support for RJR Nabisco in much the same way that Miss Sprint Cup did for Sprint.

How Were the Miss Sprint Cups Selected?

Contrary to popular belief, there was no Miss Sprint Cup pageant with local winners from every state coming together to compete for the title. There was no swimsuit competition or talent portion of the program. In fact, there was no program at all.

All that was required of aspiring Miss Sprint Cups was that they go through a standard interview just like you would for any other media job. 

According to Marilyn's Model and Talent Management, the agency that recruited for the Miss Sprint Cup position, there were a number of requirements.

"Candidates should be at least 22-years-old and hold a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, must possess excellent writing and speaking skills, be comfortable with wireless technology, and have significant experience in the promotional or spokesmodel field. Extensive week and weekend travel is required. Candidates should live in the Charlotte, NC region. Anyone in the USA may apply, approved candidates must understand if hired, they would need to relocate to the Charlotte, NC region."

Previous Miss Sprint Cup Representatives

There have been a number of women who held the role but two require special mention.

• Monica Polumbo: Monica is the face that most think of as Miss Sprint Cup. She represented Sprint and NASCAR in this role from 2008 through the end of the 2011 season. Monica decided to retire after the 2011 season.
• Paige Duke: Paige became Miss Sprint Cup in 2010 but was fired in late June of 2011 when nude photos of her surfaced on the Internet. Apparently, Paige posed for the photos years before and had given them to her boyfriend. She has acknowledged that she made a mistake and has urged others not to make the same one. Paige Duke went onto star in "Sweet Home Alabama" on CMT.

What Exactly Did Miss Sprint Cup Do?

So what were some of the job responsibilities of Miss Sprint Cup?

• She had to stand in Victory Lane and smile. This is where most NASCAR fans first noticed Miss Sprint Cup.
• She would greet NASCAR fans. This was probably her number one responsibility. From the Sprint Experience at the track to the hospitality suites, Miss Sprint Cup had some very busy weekends at the track. She also had a strong social media presence and interacted with fans on Facebook and Twitter.
• She was a media personality. Miss Sprint Cup was an ambassador for Sprint and NASCAR so she was called upon to do occasional interviews. She also tracked down drivers for interviews, moderated Q&A panels, hosted segments for NASCAR.com, and more.

Is It All Over?

Not necessarily. Monster Energy has its own girls. They appeared for the first time at 2017's Daytona 500. Their outfits have raised a few eyebrows — no more fire suits — but you'll have to check them out for yourself.

In May 2011, Motor Racing Digest published a brief, but interesting interview conducted by Anne-Marie Rhodes of Marilyn Green. What made the interview particularly interesting was that Marilyn was the first Miss Winston, beginning in 1971 and Anne-Marie the first Miss Sprint Cup.

Before he came to Wrangler, my former boss at Wrangler, the late Bob Odear, was Winston Brand Manager for RJ Reynolds Tobacco Co. That was his position when Marilyn was selected as the first Miss Winston. Subsequently they married. For many years Marilyn operated the modeling agency in Wrangler's home city of Greensboro, NC that supplied all subsequent Miss Winstons.

In 1983, Marilyn even talked Miss Winston, Margaret Claud (my all-time favorite Miss Winston) into being our Miss Wrangler on her rotating off weekends and working our Wrangler AMA SuperCross events and Wrangler Pulling Series NTPA tractor pulls.

That's the late T. Wayne Robertson of RJR driving the first Winston Show Car in the final photo.

Anyhow, I thought this was interesting and worth sharing

A Piece Of NASCAR History, The First Miss Winston Cup

Courtesy: Marilyn Green

Posted By: Anne-Marie Rhodes, follow @annemarierhodes

Ive known Marilyn Green for about 16 years now, shes my agent, my friend, and like a second mother to me. She and I have shared many great memories together. Ive always looked up to her, because she has so many traits that I admire. Shes a strong woman, a go getter, and has such a kind heart. Marilyn also has that great southern sassy personality that just makes her special. When I first met her when I was 15 with a mouth full of braces, she told me that shed love to see me follow in her footsteps one day. As fate would have it, 36 years later I did just that.

You may be wondering what I mean by that. Let me explain. Marilyn Green was the first Miss Winston Cup back in 1971. So when I became the first Miss Sprint Cup in 2007, my phone rang and it was her on the other end saying how excited and proud she was that I shared that history with her as a first in the sport.

With tonight being the NASCAR Hall of Fame Induction ceremony I found it fitting to interview someone who is a part of NASCAR history. Shes friends with all the greats of the sport and many of the ones that are in or are about to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Reading Marilyns responses I couldnt help but chuckle a lit bit at that differences from her time as Miss Winston, to my time as Miss Sprint. However, we do share one common thing, a piece of history for a sport that we both will always love.

Courtesy: Marilyn Green

Anne-Marie Rhodes: When did you become Miss Winston?
1971

How long were you Miss Winston?
2 years (71/72)

Were you the first?
Yes

How did the program get started? How did you find out about it?
RJR was taken off TV/Radio and they had a huge budget to spend in advertising. They felt NASCAR had a great fan base. A friend said RJR was interviewing for Miss Winston and insisted I go. Luckily I was chosen.

What were your duties?
Talking with newspaper and radio folks about RJRs involvement in racing, getting to know the drivers and their families, meeting NASCAR officials, grand openings, riding in parades, handing out big checks/trophies in Victory Lane, being a goodwill ambassador for RJR, riding in the pace car before each race, and speaking with fans.

Did you have to kiss the drivers in victory lane?
Yes and it was fun!

Describe your outfit.
2 versions
1. White short short, white vinyl boots, red short sleeve & long sleeve tops w/ white trim. 2. A red/white pinstrip short short zip up suit and a red full length white piped jumpsuit, ALWAYS with white vinyl boots.

When you see the girls today as Miss Sprint, does it make you feel good to know that you helped start the whole group?
Absolutely. Im glad to have been part of the program.

What were some memorable moments from your time as Miss Winston?
Getting to every race track in the US was exciting. Meeting Governors and Presidents. Getting to know some of the most famous drivers in the world. Including Richard Petty, David Pearson, Darrell Waltrip, and many others.

What drivers stood out for you as maybe some of your favorites?
Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Isaac

What was NASCAR like during your time as Miss Winston compared to now?
Not as much of an upscale corporate environment, not as many corporate sponsors, much more devoted to the good ole boy mentality, no speedway clubs or corporate suites.

One last thoughtI have been jokingly referred by my friends at Sprint as the Godmother, after my time as Miss Sprint Cup was complete. However I think Marilyn Green deserves that title. She is and always will bethe original.