Kenny Bruce: NASCAR teams do all they can to recognize fans
Fans participate in NASCAR Rev'd Up in downtown Charlotte last week. // Chris Keane, Getty Images
COMMENTARY
NASCAR competitors do many things with fans throughout the year that are sometimes, unfortunately, overlooked by those of us who cover the sport on a daily basis. Taken for granted. Or just plain ignored.
A lot of times, things that aren't directly related to what’s going on out on the track get lost in the hustle and bustle of the news. Who’s on a roll, who’s struggling, who’s making changes, who’s thinking of making changes always seems to take precedence.
Nearly every week, though, something arrives in my email regarding an upcoming outing, a chance for fans to interact with their favorite drivers in some form or fashion.
Often the gatherings are for a good cause. Sometimes it’s just a team's way of saying thanks for the support. I don’t know if it’s like that in other professional sports, but I’d like to think that's the case.
Those types of opportunities really ramp up when NASCAR’s Cup Series drops anchor in Charlotte for two weeks. The close proximity of race shops and the fact that for two weeks travel is limited make it an ideal time for such outings.
Michael Waltrip Racing, for instance, is holding its annual Fan Appreciation Day at Raceworld USA today. Fans can get autographs of MWR drivers, as well as JTG Daugherty Racing's Marcos Ambrose, tour the 140,00-square-foot facility, watch pit-stop practices ... basically the whole shooting match, as they say.
The autograph session will run from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. Tours will be available throughout the day until 5 p.m., according to team officials.
Richard Petty Motorsports hosted an endurance karting event in conjunction with the Paralyzed Veterans of America on Tuesday; Jeff Gordon is hosting the Ultimate Speed Go-Kart event at Victory Lane Karting today. Proceeds will benefit the Jeff Gordon Children’s Hospital in Concord, N.C., and the construction of the pediatric pulmonary lab.
And that’s just a small sample of what's taking place this particular week.
But the really amazing thing is that such opportunities aren’t limited to this particular two-week stretch. It’s something that goes on practically year-round. And there's hardly a driver involved in the sport who doesn’t take time out to participate in some sort of fan gathering away from the track during the course of a season.
Not going to be in Charlotte for this weekend’s races? How do you feel about hanging out with Ryan Newman and doing a little fishing?
The Stewart-Haas Racing driver will participate in a charity fishing tournament on Lake Erie June 11. There will be two flights (departing at 6:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.) comprised of 50 fishermen each. In between, a fish fry at the marina.
Proceeds will benefit Michigan International Speedway’s official charity, MIS Cares.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.? Like the rest of those who compete in Cup, he’ll be headed to Dover, Del., at the end of the month. But before that, he’ll participate in a fan forum with auto workers and members of the National Guard May 28 in Detroit.
NASCAR is definitely a fan-friendly sport. And for the longest time, I always thought that referred to what took place at the race track.
But when you stop and think about it, it’s about what takes place away from the track, too.
