Rachel Rupert ready to pass the Miss Coors Light torch in 2015
For the last four seasons when a NASCAR Sprint Cup or Nationwide Series driver won a pole in qualifying, there has been a familiar face waiting in the wings to celebrate the accomplishment.
Introduced on Sept. 19, 2010, Miss Coors Light Rachel Rupert has been a staple in NASCAR as she presents the Coors Light Pole Award to participating drivers and teams. Initially selected from a group of more than 100 women who applied for the role, Rupert earned the spot due in large part to her love and knowledge of racing, as well as her bubbly personality.
Since taking on the role in 2010, Rupert has traveled the NASCAR schedule, presenting trophies, making appearances at multiple locations around the track, and hosting guests throughout the weekend.
Yet as the 2014 season came to a close, so did Rupert's full-time tenure as Miss Coors Light, as her successor was to be introduced Thursday during Sprint Cup Champion's Week activities in Las Vegas, Nev.
The selection process for the next Miss Coors Light began midway through the 2014 season. With hundreds of women applying once again, the group was narrowed down to a "six pack" of candidates, with a fan vote playing a role in deciding the ultimate winner.
While 2014 was Rupert's final full season as Miss Coors Light, she is returning for select races in 2015 to help the new Miss Coors Light adjust to the role and get used to the demands of the role.
Taking a step back before leaving the role completely, Rupert is eager to pass on the brand she helped build from the beginning.
"The best part about this job is that it has been way more than I ever thought it would be," Rupert told FOXSports.com. "To watch this program grow and to be a part of it from the very beginning and pass it off now, no one will ever be able to do that but me. So that's pretty special."
A veteran of the job, Rupert provided some much-needed advice to the group of candidates, ranging from how to pack, what to expect when traveling, and how to adjust to being thrown into the tight-nit NASCAR community.
"I told a lot of them that were trying out that the most important thing is to stay committed to the role, and just remember when you come into this sport you have to earn your respect," she said. "Make sure people know what you're here to do. Always be nice to the race fans, it's very important. The biggest one is how to prepare for the commitment level, because you're going to miss weddings, you're going to miss all kinds of stuff."
While she has been able to travel the country, meet celebrities, and become a prominent figure in her own right, Rupert says the best part of being Miss Coors Light has been becoming part of the NASCAR family.
"Being able to be a part of this family now, that I call NASCAR, is really special," she said. "I think I'm seeing it more and more, and I just get chills thinking about it. Now that everyone knows I'm leaving, everyone's saying, 'We're going to miss you,' and I realize this really is my home away from home and my family away from home.
"Some of these crew guys are like my dads or my brothers, that part has been pretty special. I think that's hard to do if you're around for just a year. It's something you build over time, so I feel like I'm part of this now for a long time."
By passing the torch and stepping out of the limelight, Rupert believes she can walk away from her role proud of what she and the team around her did to build the brand from where it was in 2010 to where it is now.
"This program is something I can be proud of," she said. "I'm proud to pass it on to somebody and know that I started that in a way. I'll be proud to see her. I'm definitely going to be her biggest fan, but also be her biggest critic."
Rupert jokes she will spend the majority of her newfound free time sleeping and resting, but in seriousness plans to focus on family, friends, and doing things around the house she has been unable to do with her travel schedule. Yet she would also like to stay involved in the sport.
"If I can stay a part of the sport, I would like to," she said. "The biggest thing I'm focused on right now is family life. I'm ready to get married. I'm ready to have kids. I'm focused on that part, but if I can find a way to stay a part of the sport and not travel every week that would be ideal."
A long-time NASCAR fan and now member of the NASCAR family, Rupert does not plan on staying away from the track completely after moving on from her role as Miss Coors Light. Engaged to FUEL Sports Management senior director of driver manager Austin Peyton, Rupert will still be around the NASCAR community of which she has grown to be a part.
"I don't think I can stay away for too long," she said. "I'll probably travel and come to some of the bigger races. There are some markets that I'm really going to miss too that I'll want to come and visit them. I always want to watch the races if I'm not here, so I'm definitely going to be watching from home."
