FanHouse AthenaBarber

NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Clint Bowyer must have the magic touch -- after you break up with him.

Athena Barber, shown to the right, was voted the hottest NASCAR Girlfriend back in 2007 in a vote done by Sports Illustrated, but lost that title in 2008 after she and the Emporia, Kan.-driver parted ways to the puzzlement of male NASCAR fans everywhere.

Well, as TGOM over at Answer This spotted this week, Barber has found her way into the camera lens of the magazine FHM. I've included the link below.

In the interview/photo shoot, Barber opens up quite a bit about being the arm candy of Clint Bowyer and what its like for the wives and girlfriends of the sport, both at the track and at home.

A lot of it's very informative (she talks about how Clint would never, ever drive even if he had a sip of alcohol) and a lot of it's kind of humorous (she says that the WAGs even take sides when drivers get into it on the track).

After several rounds of knocking out the competition from other sports for the Hottest Sports Wife / Girlfriend, NASCAR champ Jeff Gordon's wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, is facing a match up with another NASCAR WAG--the one considered the hottest by the drivers themselves: Athena Barber, girlfriend of Clint Bowyer.

She's not just popular with the guys, either. She's so adored by NASCAR WAG fans that Bowyer is sometimes referred to as "Athena's boyfriend." There is no shortage of compliments for the girlfriend--from praise for showing constant support for her man to the way she dresses, down to the shoes and accessories. But perhaps her best asset is her genuine smile that accompanies almost every one of her casually sexy, but never overdone outfits--unless you count heels at the racetrack over doing it, which I don't. I must say, the top in this pic isn't one of my favs ... see better examples here.

What say you, NASCAR fans? Cast your vote at Epic Carnival!

Sports Illustrated polled NASCAR drivers and the results showed that 29% of them think Clint Bowyer's girlfriend is hotter than their own significant other.

Not surprising. Athena Barber, part-time model and former Bassani Babe, is as full of southern charm as she is natural beauty. She never fails to turn heads at the track with her casually sexy style. No doubt even some of the female NASCAR following would admit to having a girl crush on her. More pics and video.

Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Robby Gordon also received votes for their women, making it an eclectic group: Eva Busch, the buxom blonde; Krissie Newman, the girl next door; and former Miss Winston Renee White, the ex-Mrs. Derrike Cope.

I am surprised that Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth didn't get any mentions. Chandra Johnson is at times positively stunning ... and drivers openly admit to drooling over Katie Kenseth.

Ironically, Jeff Gordon's "supermodel" wife, Ingrid Vandebosch, doesn't do much for the rest of the field.

Drivers to Junior: Hands off our Daughters
65% of NASCAR drivers polled said they wouldn't let their daughter date Dale Earnhardt Jr.

TGOM to Drivers, Owners, Crew Chiefs, et. al.: Be on guard. NASCAR's most eligible bachelor is in the market to replace his latest female companion, who recently passed her expiration date.