PostmanE already told you that funny car drag racer Ashley Force massacred softball hottie Jennie Finch to win the crown as AOL Sports' hottest athlete. So what is it that makes Ashley so hot? Is it her looks? Her fame? Her driving prowess? Is it her accessibility to her fans? The fact that she races for a family mom-and-pop style operation? I think her dominance throughout the tournament, including mop-up jobs of Danica Patrick, Anna Rawson, Gretchen Bleiler, Paula Creamer, and Jennie Finch, indicates it was probably a combination of all the aforementioned factors.Let me make a suggestion for you: take a look at some of the comments from previous rounds of the tournament and you'll get a sense of Force's fervent fan base. Most voters seemed to be taken by Force's natural beauty. Additionally, many of the voters seemed to be particularly intrigued and awe-stricken by Ashley's athletic ability. There aren't many people in the world, much less beautiful women, who can handle an automobile at speeds upwards of 300mph.
Also do yourself a favor and check out the interview Ashley gave to Dave Hollander in response to being crowned the hottest female athlete. You truly get the sense that Ashley knows her fans have recognized her success and have helped her gain popularity:
The big edge I had was how dedicated drag race fans are. They tune in every week. They have their drivers they love. They collect the die-cast. To have a drag racer in this competition, all the NHRA fans -- even those who were are fans of my competitors -- wanted to root me on because they're very proud of their sport. They want to root for their drag racer. I was fortunate that I'm in the type of sport where we have a big following of people from all over the country that are very much involved in the Internet. That's what did it for me.Ashley says she doesn't consider herself to be in the same group as Maria Sharapova and Jennie Finch whom she considers to have model looks. I would disagree; this contest proves people prefer nothing more than sincere, natural beauty. Congratulations Ashley, you deserve it (and don't let it get to your head!).
A Look Back at the Tournament:
Final Round
Round 3
Round 2
Round 1
