Miss Sprint Cup Paige Duke attends the National Final Rodeo Cowboys skills competition during day 2 of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champions Week on December 1, 2010 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo: Getty Images)

Considering she spent more than a year as Miss Sprint Cup, traveling the circuit and being prohibited from dating anyone associated with NASCAR while representing the sport, she liked this opportunity.

“I wanted to be in love more than anything,” Duke said. “I never have. I was very busy, especially with NASCAR traveling everywhere. I wasn’t allowed to date anyone I worked with, obviously.

“So I didn’t have a chance to meet any guys. Going into [it the first time], I wasn’t sure. I was a little skeptical.”

Now she’s gotten to meet and date a lot of guys. She doesn’t hide her past as Miss Sprint Cup and the photos that surfaced. Her recent past was fully disclosed on the show.

“The guys were told about [me] after they got down to Alabama and what had happened,” Duke said. “They’re told if anyone had a problem with it, they could leave, they didn’t have to stay there.

“I don’t think any of the guys had a problem with it. I didn’t bring it up much unless one of the guys did. They were supportive and very compassionate about it.”

Duke has not shied from the spotlight since her firing. A week after being dismissed, she talked with several media outlets, and knew she would have to revisit her past as part of the show. She does that anyway.

“It’s still such a good story for young girls,” Duke said. “I just went and talked to my high schools of the dangers of sending pictures to someone. It doesn’t give me any second thoughts. [Doing the shows] gave me my confidence back. … Things are finally moving on.

“Instead of having to explain about it or talk about it, I’m moving on with my life and new opportunities are coming up.”

Duke calls the show “the ultimate eHarmony” and loves the fact that her courtship is aired on television. She said she was ready to walk away from all the men if she didn’t find love.

It doesn’t sound like she walked away empty handed as she said she is very happy with the decision that she made.

“All I can say is it was such a wonderful experience and I’ve never been happier than I am right now,” Duke said. “I can’t say [what happens], but anyone that knows me would know.

“God does work in mysterious ways. You would think you’re crazy – I know the odds aren’t high for reality dating shows but I have never done something more real or been involved with something more real.”

The show pits men from rural areas and from cities competing for Duke. The different cultures create conflict and is part of the show’s theme – will Duke, from South Carolina, pick a country boy or a guy from the city?

Duke said she thinks NASCAR fans will be rooting for her to pick a country guy. Those from the country were more interested in her NASCAR work, she said.

“Some of the city boys didn’t get it,” she said. “But all the country boys were pretty jealous.”

Duke says she’s not sure exactly how being on the show might help her television career or as a spokesmodel. She will be active on social media throughout the next few months as she talks about the show on Twitter and chats on the show’s Facebook page.

She expects to hear from some NASCAR fans.

“It’s so wonderful to still hear from NASCAR fans and people in the NASCAR world still wanting to talk to me,” Duke said. “It’s six months down the road from when I’ve been in the NASCAR scene and I’m so happy that everybody is still interested in my life and wants to know what’s going on.

“That means a lot to me.”

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