The GOP Tailgate Contest is picking up steam. The contest, which encourages Republicans to throw a political-themed tailgate party at sports events, began in North Carolina in 2006. But it's growing.

Republican tailgaters have sent in photos of a party at an LSU football game for governor-elect Bobby Jindal. The contest has also received submissions from supporters of Rudy Giuliani and Mitt Romney in battleground primary states.

The idea is simple — set up a tailgate at a sporting event. Take a photo. Send it in.

"A lot of political people are so focused on their candidates that they lose sight of having fun," said Dave Reynolds, chairman of the Wake County Young Republicans.

One of the scores you might have missed in a busy sports weekend was the outcome of the Capital City Cup.

The Wake County Young Republicans defeated the Wake County Young Democrats 13-7 on Friday in their first annual softball game.

At least that's what the press release from the Young Republicans said.

"Some of North Carolina's future leaders were on both sides of the plate," said Dave Reynolds, chairman of the Wake County Young Republicans. "As we learn to work together and build relationships now we hope it will translate to better things for Wake County and North Carolina in the long run."

Who knew that hanging out with your buds and drinking a few Buds before a football game could be a winnning political strategy?

But the Wake County Young Republicans won the National Event of the Year Award at the Young Republicans National Convention in Florida for their GOP Tailgate Contest.

The contest encouraged Republican football fans in North Carolina to host Republican-themed tailgate parties before college and NFL football games in 2006.

"It just goes to show that the political arena is ready for some new, innovative ideas,” said Dave Reynolds, chairman of the Wake County Young Republicans and creator of the GOP Tailgate Contest.