Who Really is the Nascar Fan?

Who is the Nascar Fan: From Trailer Park to Highland Park

The Racing Reporter-DALLAS, Texas  Some might speculate that with a tough economy and numerous changes within Nascar might hurt the sport. Ticket sales and merchandisers are seeing sharp declines this year. The fans are still there and very much alive and passionate about their sport.

High End Track Transportation at Your Service. Photo by George Walker

Multi-Purpose Beer Cooler Photo by Bruce Cameron

Some basic demographics reveal an interesting profile of the average Nascar fan. Females comprise 40% of the Nascar fan base. Forty three percent of fans are aged 45 and over hence, REO Speedwagon (Dickies 500 last November) and Foreigner. Middle-aged fans are what merchandisers want, as their loyalties are less fickle and will remain over time. Approximately 30 percent of Nascar fans have a household income between $30-50,000 and 61% Every dollar counts and it is uncertain how many fans have lost jobs due to the economy.

What part of the U.S. do most fans live? Stock car racing, which actually originated in primitive dirt tracks in the 1940’s, was located mostly in the rural South. A cursory inspection of the location of the major driver/teams reveals North Carolina as the primary headquarters for these teams.

The Earnhardts are from North Carolina. Both Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. are huge influences and forces behind many Nascar fans. Junior Nation fans continue to support their driver despite some set backs and drama with team changes and over-publicized spats with his cousin and crewchief Toy Uri Jr.

I wanted to find out for myself who these fans are and why they are so passionate about Nascar.

First is Kyle Williams. He is an installation manager for a tile company. I caught up with him at a job site in South Dallas. This guy looks like the “dream” Tire Changer or Gas Man for any driver’s team. Mr. Williams stands 6 foot 6 inches and weighs “about” 270 pounds. Not wanting to have the life beat out of me, I stayed away from personal questions about income and such, so I asked more normal questions. So, how long have you been a Nascar fan? “I’ve be been a serious Nascar fan for 25 years and been to 20 different race tracks.” His favorite drivers are Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Tony Stewart. “I love the aggressiveness of both drivers. Tony’s consistency even now that he is an owner/driver really impresses me.” When asked about a brush with fame, Williams stated, “I was in the pit area for the Dickies 500, I was talking with someone and Richard Petty tapped me on the shoulder saying ‘excuse me’ so he could get into the rest room. It took me a second to realize who it was, it was hard not to chase him for an autograph but I resisted.” Mr. Williams elaborated on his memorabilia collection. “Of the hundreds of pieces I have a Dale Sr. autographed hat, a Franklin Mint issued Richard Petty Super Bird. I asked his take on the restrictor plate for the race cars. “I think it tightens the track and forces the drivers to step-up their skills, particularly with drafting. I love to see the cars stacked up on each other.”

Kyle Williams, Former Stock Car Racer has a more Traditional View of Nascar Racing. Photo by Bruce Cameron

Next is my interaction with a fan that I won’t soon forget. Minding my own business on the track at the last Dickies 500 in November, I hear a woman yell at me, “Hey man, take my picture next to Dale Jr.’s car.” Trying to keep a straight face, I complied. This buxom gal was wearing a shirt: Dale Jr- Want to Mount an Dew Me? No guess work here on who her favorite driver is. I had to at least get to know this woman and learn more about her worship of Dale Jr. and Nascar. This little pistol of a fan is Pam Schult. She is co-owner of an automotive service shop in the Texas Hill Country. “I have been a fan for 21 years. I love Dale Jr. because of his positive attitude; if he’s wrong, he admits it. I think he is a good guy overall. I’ve been to Daytona, Charlotte, and the track in Atlanta. My collectibles include: many die cast cars and anything Dale Jr; I have them all over our shop.”

Mountain Dew Me? Photo by Bruce Cameron

Unlike Mr. Williams, Ms. Schult dislikes the restrictor plate. “These boys love the speed, that’s why they’re racers. They can’t sling shot or pull many of the stunts they could before the death of Dale Senior. I miss seeing the multiple wrecks each race that were more likely to occur back in the day.

Ms. Schult remarks, “Nascar has saved my marriage.” Nascar is a shared passion between me and my husband. It’s been a bond for us, it keeps us close, says. Looking square at her shirt, I just kept my mouth shut and nodded in the affirmative.

Lastly, is Mr. Randy Chapman, a government executive who is officed at the edge of Dallas’ prestigious Highland Park. He has been a Nascar fan for 15 years and had some interesting points concerning the spirit of Nascar. As with many others, Dale Sr. and Dale Jr. are his favorite drivers. Chapman spoke of their great racing skills and “go-getter” attitude. I’m glad to see Junior go to Hendrick Motorsports. This is a pivotal year for him, he’s gone through a lot of trannies ( not transvestites) already this season. I want to see some more top ten finishes. I like to see results for someone I invest in. I guess I’m holding him to the same standard.”

Mr. Chapman’s Nascar collectibles include shirts, cards, die cast cars, of the Earnhardts’, Rusty Wallace and Corpus Christi’s Bobby LaBonte. “I literally have a garage full of Nascar stuff. One day, I’ll have it in a game room, but I’m not going to part with it ….easily.

Randy Chapman, USDOJ by Day-Nascar by Weekend

Concerning the restrictor plate issue, Chapman believes that “Nascar did what it had to do to minimize casualties and the loss of life since the death of Earnhardt Sr. As much as I love to see raw speed in action, I can understand the need for more control and safety. I can live with it.”

Chapman’s tone felt almost like a college commencement address, extolling the values and virtues of many Nascar athletes. “I like the traditional feel of Nascar. Earnhardt Sr. the hard-charging driver named ‘The Intimidator’who won seven then Winston Cup championships and became one of the most revered sports figures. I identify with the drivers as people. For many of these country boys, nothing was given to them. They work hard for everything and race to win every time they get on the track. When I think about it, it’s like these guys are chasing the American dream.”
Obviously, there are Jeff Gordon and fans of other Nascar icons somewhere out there. I was surprised to see the very strong concentration of Earnhardt mania here in Texas. It seems that these fans key in on aspects of the drivers that fit their personalities. Coming up from little to nothing, hard work, team work and a little bit of charisma go a long way. Nascar personalities appear to be more “down-home” and resonate more with the every day fan. Let’s face it, I’d have a better chance of becoming the Attorney General than having the speed and physique of someone like T.O.

Bruce Cameron, The Racing Reporter