I was a casual fan forever. As a kid, I can remember clear as day watching Elliott Sadler’s flip in 2003 at Talladega. In 2013, I decided to dedicate my time to watch every race, every weekend.
2. How many races have you attended?
I have attended none of them. I’m hoping to change that in 2018.
3. Who is your No. 1 favorite driver?
Kevin Harvick.
4. What made you a fan of his?
I became a Kevin Harvick fan after he won the Daytona 500 in 2007.
5. Who is your most disliked driver?
Kyle Busch.
6. Why don’t you like him?
He isn’t a bad driver and I respect him as a driver, but outside of that, he’s just a huge baby. He complains when he doesn’t win an Xfinity race, for God’s sake! Like, grow up.
7. What is your favorite track?
Martinsville Speedway.
8. What is one thing you would change if you were in charge of NASCAR?
I would get rid of the front splitter. It would look a lot closer to the actual cars if they just took away the front splitter, side skirt and rear spoiler, just so it looks more like the common car. Then people can relate to that car.
9. What is one thing you would keep the same if you were in charge of NASCAR?
I like the stages. The stages help a boring race become a little bit more exciting.
10. How often do you yell at the TV during a race?
I used to not really yell at my TV that much, but I started doing it a lot (in 2017). Something about the races are bringing out my passionate side.
11. Do you have any advice for other fans?
Get the RaceView scanner (from NASCAR.com). Even though it is behind compared to the TV broadcast, it helps give insight to your favorite team’s strategy and what’s going on during the race.
12. What else do you want the NASCAR world to know about you?
I began following Denny during his rookie year with Joe Gibbs Racing. I had stopped watching NASCAR after the death of my two favorite drivers, Davey Allison and Neil Bonnett. A friend told me, “This new guy is your kind of driver.” I watched his first race and my inner NASCAR spirit was renewed. I love his determination!
5. Who is your most disliked driver?
It’s a toss up between Joey Logano or Brad Keselowski.
6. Why don’t you like them?
I don’t like Logano for wrecking Denny in California. And Keselowski for his treatment of a handicapped child who wanted an autograph at Talladega. Being a special educator, that did not set well with me.I’ve seen Brad do some great things since, but it still bothers me.
7. What is your favorite track?
Talladega.
8. What is one thing you would change if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Do away with pit road speeding penalties.
9. What is one thing you would keep the same if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Double-file restarts.
10. How often do you yell at the TV during a race?
Every race. I rock in my recliner more than I yell. In 2016, I hit almost 18,000 steps on my Fitbit during the Daytona 500 — rocking and yelling, trying to help Denny win. It worked!
11. Do you have any advice for other fans?
Support your driver and the team. Follow them on social media, join the Fan Club and attend those events — especially the Joe Gibbs Racing team events. Go to the tweetups and connect with other fans.Connect with the writers, NASCAR executives, spotters and team members on Twitter and support their work. NASCAR is the only sport that provides multiple ways to participate other than just watching the race. Take advantage of every opportunity you have to experience NASCAR.
12. What else do you want the NASCAR world to know about you?
I always want to be a part of the team — not a part of the problem. If I believe in you, I will support you.
This is a very interesting story. I’m originally from Jacksonville, and my dad received tickets to the July Daytona race from a friend. I was 20 at the time and I definitely had other priorities for my Saturdays other than going to a NASCAR race. Dad ended up bribing me to go, so I made the trek down to Daytona with him.
We got down to the track and started to go in, but we were immediately looked at funny because we were going through a “normal” entrance and we had Daytona Club tickets. Being new to this, both of us said, “What is the Daytona Club?” It turns out we had suite tickets with access to pre-race parties where food, drinks and live music were among the things we could partake in. I wish we would’ve known that prior to stopping off at the Krystal on International Speedway Blvd.!
We were sitting at a table with a few other NASCAR fans and my dad made a comment asking who was on the pole. I didn’t even know what he was talking about. But to that question, a guy quickly replied, “Shithead.” Dad and I both looked at each other, shrugged our shoulders and then I asked back: “Who’s ‘Shithead?'” Turns out back in 2004, “Shithead” was better known as Jeff Gordon.
I absolutely fell in love with NASCAR while at the race. Gordon ended up winning, and so I naturally liked him — but mostly because the guy in the Daytona Club called him Shithead.
5. Who is your most disliked driver?
Kyle Busch.
6. Why don’t you like him?
I want to like him. He and Samantha do a lot of good things for racing and the community. But gosh, there has just always been something about him when he raced at Hendrick that made me despise him, and I just can’t seem to get over it.
7. What is your favorite track?
Texas Motor Speedway.
8. What is one thing you would change if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Get the CEO of NASCAR to attend more races than I attend.
9. What is one thing you would keep the same if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Keep weekend races versus having races during the week.
10. How often do you yell at the TV during a race?
Depends how race is going, but it can be frequently.
11. Do you have any advice for other fans?
Make NASCAR races a weekend getaway. I am pretty fortunate to be able to travel around on the weekends and go to roughly 20 races a year. It is what I enjoy doing, and a lot of the reason why is being able to meet people from different parts of the country, have a drink with them and have a great time. I can talk NASCAR all day with someone, so being able to sit at a bar with other fans who enjoy NASCAR just as much — it doesn’t get much better than that.
12. What else do you want the NASCAR world to know about you?
Never did I think I would become a NASCAR fan, but I was immediately hooked after one race. I love traveling around to races, and I do most of these races by myself — so if anyone is going to a race and would like to have a couple drinks and/or tailgate, I would be open to it.
My real job during the week is the assistant controller of a logistics company headquartered in Atlanta.
Cheryl: I was also an Elliott Sadler fan, and Harvick was his car owner at one time. I liked his not wanting to take crap from anyone.
Mike: A combination of being Dale Sr.’s son and the type of person he was.
5. Who is your most disliked driver?
Cheryl: Kyle Busch.
Mike: Kyle Busch and Joey Logano.
6. Why don’t you like those drivers?
Cheryl: His attitude when on track. He doesn’t care who he moves or wrecks along the way.
Mike: Same for Kyle. As for Joey, he comes off as arrogant on track. I don’t see how he can drive with squinty eyes.
7. What is your favorite track?
Both: Daytona, baby!
8. What is one thing you would change if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Cheryl: Quit changing the rules during the season. Stick with your decisions.
Mike: PUBLISH THE RULEBOOK ON NASCAR.COM! All other major sports have rule book online and/or in print!
9. What is one thing you would keep the same if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Cheryl: Leave Daytona 500 qualifying alone. It makes it special.
Mike: Keep the new points system/race format.
10. How often do you yell at the TV during a race?
Cheryl: Not too often. It depends on what’s happening on track and which race it is.
Mike: I don’t yell so much as talk to the TV, especially during pit stops.
11. Do you have any advice for other fans?
Both: If you’re watching at home, NASCAR RaceView Mobile helps keep interest during some long green stretches, plus it has in-car communications.
If you’re going to the race, you must have a scanner or FanVision to hear communications. Bring comfy shoes, especially for Daytona.
Also, it’s OK to hope for autographs, but don’t go expecting one. We plan time to try for autographs on practice days when you have a better chance, especially at Daytona in the fan zone.
12. What else do you want the NASCAR world to know about you?
We’re animal lovers who have two cats — MeowMeow and Gizmo — and a newly adopted dog named Sidney. We’re big fans of other sports as well, especially football and hockey.
“Submarine” Mike Mitchell and wife Cheryl, pictured at Daytona. (Photo courtesy of the Mitchells)
These 12 Questions-style fan profiles are one of the rewards offered as a tier on my Patreon page. You can catch up on the other profiles so far this season here.
I grew up as a Jeff Gordon fan. My grandfather was working for Goodyear and we used to go to many a dirt race. He told me this kid from Indiana was the best Midget racer he ever saw and that I should become a fan. Needless to say, the 24 didn’t disappoint.
I’ve followed Chase for awhile, as a friend of mine is from near Dawsonville, Ga., and I’ve visited numerous times. We actually watched Chase one time in a go kart and talked to him when he was probably 10 or 12 years old. I’ve also met members of the Elliott family, and they are such a great racing family and seem very humble.
5. Who is your most disliked driver?
Jimmie Johnson.
6. Why don’t you like him?
First off, Jimmie is an amazing person and is one of the most humble and gracious winners I have seen.But from a racing standpoint, I dislike him because he has without a doubt taken away many wins and probably a championship or two from Jeff Gordon. I view it probably how Dale Earnhardt Sr. fans felt about Jeff coming into the sport in the mid 90’s. I’ve always felt that Jimmie hasn’t done a great job of acknowledging that without Jeff, he would quite possibly never had a chance at Cup, let alone a chance with the infrastructure Hendrick has provided. With that being said, I have met Chad Knaus, Earl Barban and Jimmie before, and they were incredibly down to earth and seemed like great people.
A quick funny story: When I met Chad, I was working for University of Kansas athletics at the time, where there is quite the tradition when it comes to basketball. Chad and I were talking about what I do for the sports teams and how they are similar to his race team. He mentioned he thought we had a great football team and had no clue that KU had a basketball team! He then reminded me all he did was eat, sleep and s–t racing. Makes sense why those two have been incredibly successful!
7. What is your favorite track?
Darlington. Can’t beat the history of that track and the uniqueness.
8. What is one thing you would change if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Pick a point system and rules package and stick with it for a while. Minor changes are surely needed every now and again, but as fans we can’t get accustomed to one package for very long before it changes again. I’m in the minority, but I loved the old points system! I know it’s never coming back, though, and I think what we have now is the second-best option.
9. What is one thing you would keep the same if you were in charge of NASCAR?
The accessibility of the drivers. I have noticed a difference through the years as teams become less and less available, but for the most part drivers still go out of their way to sign and greet fans.
10. How often do you yell at the TV during a race?
Not a bunch, really. I’m a pretty low-key guy, but when Jeff had a chance to win at Martinsville a couple of years ago, I was pacing around the living room.
11. Do you have any advice for other fans?
Just be involved. Racing to me isn’t a sport; it’s a lifestyle. I don’t mean that to be a cliche, but it truly is. I work in the athletic world, and I love the stick and ball sports such as football, basketball and baseball. But racing is completely different. Get involved with going to appearances and getting to the track early and supporting your driver’s sponsor when you can. The NASCAR community truly is one big family and we as fans play a very important role in that family.
12. What else do you want the NASCAR world to know about you?
My one fun fact about myself and the NASCAR world is that I have sung the national anthem a few times at Kansas Speedway and was able to do it for a Cup race. It was an amazing experience and I was able to meet many a driver and team members.
These 12 Questions-style fan profiles are one of the rewards offered as a tier on my Patreon page. You can catch up on the other profiles so far this season here.
As a recent college graduate who was broke, I was new to the sport when I picked JJ’s starting position in a NASCAR pool at my local sports bar. He ended up winning the race — and winning me money at the same time.As I didn’t have a driver yet, I went with him.It proved to be a very smart decision!As I have matured as a fan right along with him as a driver, it has been an epic ride.
5. Who is your most disliked driver?
Brad Keselowski.
6. Why don’t you like him?
I can’t quite put my finger on it. Honestly, it might just be because my best friend’s brother likes him!He is a heck of a driver, though and I respect him!
7. What is your favorite track?
Dover!It is my home track!
8. What is one thing you would change if you were in charge of NASCAR?
I would love more Saturday night races so I could travel to more tracks. And of course,I would love to have a night race at Dover.I understand that isn’t entirely up to NASCAR, though.
9. What is one thing you would keep the same if you were in charge of NASCAR?
The strides the sport has made with safety.I would keep the emphasis on making the sport safe for everyone involved — the drivers, spectators, crews, track staff and media.
10. How often do you yell at the TV during a race?
I’m always yelling at the TV during a race.My family is used to it.I’m a Philly sports fan; it’s what we do.When I’m not yelling, I may or may not be hiding my face with a pillow.
11. Do you have any advice for other fans?
Bring your friends that are just casual fans to races. Once you get them to a race, they will be hooked and become much more than a casual fan/friend who will go out for a beer with you to watch the race and whatever else is on the other TVs at the bar. Plus, it is so much fun to take a “newbie” and see the experience through their eyes — and feel it, hear it and smell it.
12. What else do you want the NASCAR world to know about you?
NASCAR is my lifeblood!But it wasn’t always the case. The very first race I watched was the 2001 Daytona 500 in a fraternity house at the University of Delaware.The boys were having a Daytona 500 party and I was intrigued.I sort of had one eye on the race and the other eye on some playing cards.A huge wreck happened and my heart stopped and I couldn’t figure out why everyone was cheering.Once I figured out everyone was OK, I abandoned my card game and moved over to the couch to focus on the rest of the race — only to see a much smaller wreck on the last lap that took the life of Dale Earnhardt Sr. I just stared at the TV. The entire house was completely silent.I swore that day I was never going to watch a race again.
But the following Spring, I had made a new group of friends that ran a NASCAR pool during Friday Happy Hour before qualifying.Not wanting to be left out, I joined in.We each picked qualifying positions out of a bag and the winner of the pool was the qualifying position of the race winner.
I started following the sport closely from that point forward and attended my first race at Dover.My self-imposed ban was over and I was HOOKED.My squad and I started playing NASCAR Trivia on race day and my extreme competitive nature caused me to study intensely.I dove into research to learn everything I could about the sport and the tracks. I have come a long way from that day in 2001. In the last 16 years, I have traveled all over the East Coast to attend races, I plan my weekends around race schedule and I just got married in victory lane at Dover earlier this month.
My married name is Lowe.Fitting for a JJ fan, don’t you think?
Below are some of the pictures from Kristi’s wedding:
These 12 Questions-style fan profiles are one of the rewards offered as a tier on my Patreon page. You can catch up on the other profiles so far this season here.
Name: Kendra Corneliusen Location: Kansas City metro area Twitter name:@kcorneliusen
1. How long have you been a NASCAR fan?
Since 1994.
2. How many races have you attended?
I’ve attended 15 races.
3. Who is your No. 1 favorite driver?
It’s been Brad Keselowski for the last five years.
4. What made you a fan of his?
His tenacity and go get ’em attitude.
5. Who is your most disliked driver?
Tony Stewart.
6. Why didn’t you like him?
He gave the appearance that he was above everyone else. He let his emotions get the most of him and didn’t race with respect for the sport.
7. What is your favorite track?
Kansas Speedway of the ones I’ve visited, but Pocono is on my list.
8. What is one thing you would change if you were in charge of NASCAR?
Certainly not the new rules that were announced this year. It’s made for an interesting year for sure!
9. What is one thing you would keep the same if you were in charge of NASCAR?
The ability for one team to only have a certain number of cars. That way, it gives everyone a chance and there’s not one MAJOR player in the sport.
10. How often do you yell at the TV during a race?
It depends on if I am watching the race alone or with others.
11. Do you have any advice for other fans?
Just enjoy it. The sport is great if you can get past your “friends” mocking your love for the sport of left turns.
12. What else do you want the NASCAR world to know about you?
