NASCAR fans are loyal to their drivers

BY ALLEN GREGORY

BRISTOL HERALD COURIER

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Louise Carmony maintained a vigil Friday morning at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The longtime NASCAR fan from Pennington Gap, Va. was determined to catch a glimpse of her favorite driver.

Carmony already had a shirt bearing the likeness of Carl Edwards. Now, she was determined to score an autograph, smile or wave from the personable Missouri native.

Welcome to the world of the core fan.

No wait or line seems too long for these hearty folks who helped NASCAR move from a regional phenomenon to America’s second-most popular spectator sport.

In a couple of preseason speeches, NASCAR chairman Brian France reached out to a base of supporters which has increasingly felt alienated by the many changes in their tradition-rich sport.

"That was good to hear from NASCAR," said Carmony, who usually attends both the spring and fall race at Bristol with her family. "My suggestion to [NASCAR] would be to convince the drivers to take maybe 30 minutes out of their schedule to talk and meet with fans. I know that would mean a lot to me and my family."

While Carmony kept watch for Edwards near the BMS pit entrance, her daughter and grandson were stationed near the driver’s compound with their camera ready.

"Carl is my man," Carmony said. "We saw him on a golf cart earlier this morning and he waved at some kids. Now, we’re hoping to see him again."

Just a few yards away from the Carmony clan, Joby Pastell was in search of NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt, Jr.

As for how NASCAR could embrace its most passionate fans, Pastell had a familiar suggestion.

"It would be great if drivers stopped, smiled and signed some autographs. A smile, that is the biggest thing," said Pastell, wearing a shirt featuring Earnhardt’s new team and number.

While some fans have expressed concerns about the high cost of lodging and concessions, Pastell simply longs for a closer connection to the stars.

"I think ticket prices are fine. You can either afford to come to the races or you can’t afford to come," said Pastell, who made a 17-hour trip from Newberry, Mich. to Bristol. "Fans absolutely make a lot of sacrifices to attend races, and we’d like to see more of the drivers."

Gary Taber, who lives in the Rochester, N.Y. area, offered several ideas for NASCAR officials.

"For one thing, I think this [Bristol] race should be moved to the first week in April and the early schedule should have more events in the south," Taber said.

Taber said he has followed the news of NASCAR’s recent slump in television ratings and attendance, and feels that part of the woes could be the divide between the corporate crowd and core fans.

"I know a guy who can get close to the teams because he has connections with DuPont," Taber said. "The average race fan doesn’t have that sort of access.

"If you don’t have a credential or corporate connection, you can’t get into the track or close to the drivers. Even I had to pay five or 10 bucks to get into the track, I would do it. The drivers don’t come around at all to the average fan."

Despite his frustrations, Taber and his wife have been making the trek to Bristol since 1991.

"You just can’t beat this race," Taber said.

Bristol Motor Speedway vice-president of public affairs Kevin Triplett said he understands that fans want to see more of the drivers, yet he said BMS officials attempt to reach out to fans in various ways.

"Even through we are a huge facility, we try to do things in a short-track way," Triplett said. "Folks tell us all the time that they appreciate our down home approach, and that extends to the restaurants and businesses in the Bristol area."

In various national polls, BMS has been voted as the fan favorite.

"And we’re humbled by that kind of recognition," Triplett said. "Most everybody in racing starts out on a short-track, so I think those [core fans] appreciate the grassroots feel of Bristol."