So how long have y'all been NASCAR fans?

Question

I would imagine that some of you have never been to a race, let alone watched one from start to finish on TV. If you can get through a whole race without a "pitstop", you just might be the ULTIMATE NASCAR FAN. You know, that is a lot easier when you are actually at the track, and sitting in the sun all day while enjoying a few ice cold beverages of your choice. If you only like NASCAR because you think a certain driver is "good looking", you really aren't a NASCAR fan, you are just looking for "eye candy".

Answer 1

Raised on racing I do believe my momma put methanol in my bottle as an infant. I didn't get into Nascar until about 1980. I have always been a fan of the open wheel cars. I was born a stone's throw from Indianapolis Raceway Park and about 10 miles from the 500. We used to go to the sprint races on friday and saturday night with the popcorn in the grocery bag and the blankets on the ground. My grandaddy worked for Valvoline during the month of May so we could get into the 500 for free that was back when it was a month long deal. My brother has pictures of himself wih Gordon Johncock. Billy Vukovich, Mario, and the cowboy from texas AJ. I believe he was 4 or 5 when they were taken so I guess I have been a race fan for a little while

Answer 2

Since 1975 my first live race was the Bristol race in 1976 and my fav. driver ( CALE) won the race.My family went to both Bristol races from 76-81.We were there for Dale SR's first win.We went down into the pits after the race and stood in victorylane.I have a very good picture of that.Earnhardt sighned it years later and got a big kick out of it.
I have also been to Atlanta 3 times at one of those races a crew member for Dave Watson was killed.I dont believe Watson ever drove again.At the other about 25 cars were damaged by a grass fire outside the track .It was so bad the race was stopped untill the fire was put out.Went to Daytona once,Rockingham 4 times back when Kyle Petty dominated there.And Darlington 3 times.I was there for David Pearson's last race with the Wood brothers.That was a great race between R.Petty and D.Waltrip .And i believe that was T.Labonte's first race with Billy Hagan.And i have been to Charlotte about six times.
Sorry so long i could talk for hours about NASCAR in the 70's and early 80's.

Answer 3

I grew up watching NASCAR. My parents divorced when I was five, and my dad wouldn't take me home on Sunday until the race was over! I have been watching it my whole life. I'm not sure when I started paying attention and liking it. Maybe 8th or 9th grade (1997/1998). I was a full time student who worked full time for a long time, so for several years, I was not able to watch every race or even all of the ones I could see. I have graduated now, but still do not have a "real" job (two full time jobs, but not pertaining to my degree). Despite my busy schedule, I am home for EVERY race!!! Once in a while, I miss the first half hour when there is an early start time and I can not get the day off. Or, if it is a late start time, I have to listen to the end in the car on the way to the bowling alley! But, whenever possible I watch 100% of every race!! I also go to MIS for both races every year, and would like to go to Indy every year if I could find someone to go with me!
It also drives me nuts when girls are fans just because of the drivers, or pick their favorite driver due to their looks. Kasey Kahne is my favorite driver, but I had no idea what he looked like until after I was a fan. His second race at Rockingham, I had never heard of him, but was cheering for him to win! I have been impressed ever since!

Answer 4

Well try this on for size.
The first race I went to and got hooked on NASCAR was August 1960.I was 7 years old.
The race was at Dixie Speedway in Midfield,Alabama,a 1/4 mile track.The race was won by Ned Jarrett.
Since then I have followed races around the South.When NASCAR run in Birmingham on the 5/8 mile in 63,64 ,65 ,67,68 I was there.When Talladega run the first race there in 69 I was there and in a couple of weeks will be back there.
At Talladega I've watched from the stands,I've had garage and pit passes event took a driving school there(speed was at 175).
I've been to races in Atlanta,Daytona,College Station(closed) Texas,In the pre modern NAshville,and Montgomery races were seen.
So I guess I've been a fan since 1960 or 47 years.
I've even worked the first aid facilities at Daytona.
Go to get drunk,no.
Watch because a driver looks good,Don't think so.
Looking for eye candy,thats what the beach is for.
I'll position myself in front of the TV Sunday and watch the race.
Ultimate fan I don't think about it,I'm looking at my "autograph" wall,150 framed autographed cards,dozens of autographed diecast,shirts,hats,checkered flags.
Well guess I go find something else to get signed theis year.

Answer 5

I started watching Nascar in the late seventies when we 1st got cable tv. My dad was a major sports enthusiast, so we watched every thing. I remember seeing Dale Earnhardt Sr. in his rookie season in 1979. Also the year I graduated from high school. I've been a fan for a long time and even got my husband of 6 yrs. interested and took him to his 1st race in Sonoma for his birthday last year. I'm pretty sure I'm right up there when it comes to Ultimate Nascar Fans.

Answer 6

I have been a race fan for over 40 years. I was hooked when my Dad took me and my brothers to the local county 1/4 mile dirt track every Saturday night to watch our neighbor race and go into the pits after the races. We didn't get good TV coverage at home so the only pro race we saw was the Indy 500 and we watched that every year. I now go to races at a local paved track every Saturday night and occasionally go into a neighboring state to a dirt track featuring outlaw races. I watch all the NASCAR races I can when family obligations do not come first. I have only been to one NASCAR race in person, Talledaga, as a gift from my now ex-wife. It was a weekend to remember and I would love to do it again when I can swing the cost. My 9 year old daughter follows my passion for racing and is a die hard Kahne fan. I will continue to follow NASCAR until God forbid, they tighten the rules so much that they reduce it to the equal of IROC racing. Hopefully NASCAR officials we see the error of their ways with the rule tightening before this happens. But for now, gentlemen, start your engines and boogity, boogity, boogity!!

Answer 7

I have been watching racing since Jeff Gordons rookie year. (1993) btw .. he's my driver!! I grew up in Dover .. therefore the Monster Mile was my 2nd home. We all know my driver is NOT all that good looking ... lol ... so I actually love the sport!! I even went to a race @ the Monster Mile when I was home on leave with the flu!! It was tough but I made it thru the whole race!

Answer 8

I NEVER watched a race before I met my (now) husband. When we started dating in Aug 1993, his Sundays were always tied up. If I wanted to see him, I had to see him sitting in front of the TV! I grew to love it as much as he did, and we both cheered Rusty Wallace along. We actually got to attend a race in Phoenix in 1996 (I think... that was so long ago). For anyone familiar with that track, we sat on the dirt and grass hillside, not in a regular seat. I liked that much more than the seats! (we went 2 days, for the trucks on Sat and the Winston Cup- as it was called then, on Sunday). What a blast! But what a bi**h getting out of there afterward!
Since Rusty has retired, I don't watch much anymore. But I actually stopped before he retired, last Nov, when my brother (another NASCAR fan) was hospitalized with brain cancer. He passed away in June last year, and I think of him whenever I see or hear NASCAR now.

Answer 9

10 years, go Mark Martin. What got me interested is a friend of mine used to race E-Mods at the local dirt track. I'd help out and watch him race. I think that is what got me interested.
I've been to Bristol 5 different times, I love to camp and spend the weekend. I've never had a problem with a fellow NASCAR fan.

Answer 10

I agree with you completely. I have been a fan for about 2 years, and watch the races every week, as long as I am available. I haven't been to a race yet, but I will be attending Martinsville hopefully this October.