What Makes NASCAR Fans So Dedicated to the Sport?

I often look at NASCAR fans and wonder why they are so loyal. Is it the dedication to their favorite driver? Is it the dedication to their favorite owner? Or is it just a love of speed.

Being raised in New York City I have a different view of NASCAR than most of the people who follow the sport. The first time I attended a race it was in Atlanta and the speeds got me hooked. When I came back to the city and started talking about NASCAR, all my friends thought I was crazy. I believe that unless you attend a NASCAR race in person you really don't get it.

My first race was over 10 years ago and all my buddies still think I'm nuts. They wonder why I stay home on Sundays and watch cars circle around the track for hours. They have no concept of fuel strategy, tire wear, and the overall strategy that it takes to win a race.

My sister is a Jeff Gordon fan, and the person that introduced me to the sport was a Dale Earnhardt fan. So right from the get-go I was rooting for Jeff Gordon, I had no idea who Dale Earnhardt even was. The night before the race I went out to a local bar in Atlanta, the place was full of Dale Earnhardt memorabilia. When I asked about it I got a lesson in NASCAR that to this day I still get kidded about.

I was told I have to pick my driver based on what I see, what he drives, and his style of driving. After not having a favorite driver for a few years, I mostly rooted for Jeff Gordon or Dale Earnhardt Junior. Then I saw a young driver make a three wide pass in Atlanta and I knew I found my driver. His name is Jimmy Johnson. When I made my pick all my friends down in Atlanta thought I was crazy: who the heck is this Jimmy Johnson guy, and why would you pick him? When I told them the reason they thought it was good. They laughed at me but they were proud of the way I pick a driver.

What really shocked me about this whole driver-picking thing is how loyal some fans really are. I met a few fans that only buy Chevy automobiles because that is what their favorite driver drives. I had no concept about the loyalty to automobiles that people have when it comes to auto racing.

I visited one guy's garage near Atlanta and saw the memorabilia that he had, I believe he was a Bill Elliott fan. In his garage he had two Dodges. In the driveway he had two more. I thought I was on Dodge dealership property. Then one of his friends came over driving a Ford. There was some horseplay going on between them because  Ford won a race that weekend. Being from New York City this was very strange to me. This kind of loyalty to sports was so dedicated; it was something I'd never seen before. The funny thing is, now if I'm looking to go buy some hardware, I go to Lowe's instead of Home Depot. Just because my favorite driver drives for Lowe's.

It looks like I became one of those dedicated fans without even realizing it.

Photo Credit: Vinny O'Hare

Read more from Vinny O'Hare at Awesome Race Fans