[rave20]

Back in 1978 as a kid my hero was Richard Petty. Unfortunately, that was the first year he would go without a win since his first victory decades before. I was at a Richmond race at the old fairgrounds bullring of a track. Richard was running well (I think) when toward the end of the race his engine blew. Just one more let down in a miserable season.

At that time they would open the gates about thirty minutes after the race and let fans walk around the pit area. We always went down to look around. As we were gawking at the cars, I looked up and saw this huge crowd. I was elated to discover The King sitting up against a fence dirty, hot and disappointed, still in his firesuit, posing for pictures and signing autographs! Let me assure you not many people would have gone straight to that spot after the day and season he had, let alone when he didn't need to. I waited and had my picture taken (still have it) and got an autograph. He stuck around until the last person had left an hour or two later. That made an impression on me about class, appreciation and respect that has never been forgotten! When I've had all I can take and I'm in no mood for people that little memory often comes to mind and I realize I'm privaleged to be the position that I am.

THAT little memory also is is why Richard Petty is and will always be "The King". Who is the most fan friendly driver out there today?

Have you seen any of them doing something like that?

[rmjvol]

Great story, rave9ers&20. Today, you think about the whole media machine around every driver. Back then, you knew it was just how the man was

[Team Yates]

I think that Rusty Wallace is very fan friendly, I saw him at Dover one year and 4,000 people waited for his autograph and he stayed until they all got their autographs! And the tons of people just standing around watching, asking him questions and he answered away all the while he kept signing. And of course, my guys are very fan friendly!!

[sehja]

I know all the drivers are required to do promo gigs now and some of them may really enjoy it - But Elliott used to work with Ford Dealerships all over the place to bring one of his cars and sign autographs for basically an entire day. He has done so much charity work in Georgia (don't know about elsewhere).

Well, you can see I'm a Bill Elliott fan.

[isabeau]

this is my first post here on this forum.. i feel that mark martin is very fan friendly. and its not because he is my favorite that i think this lol... also kyle petty seems fan friendly as well..

isabeau

[rmjvol]

Welcome to GoTeamsGo, isabeau. Glad to have a #6 fan here

[Tin Can]

I would half to say Mark Martin, he's nothing but total classs.

[vinceadams9]

Originally Posted by rave20

Back in 1978 as a kid my hero was Richard Petty. Unfortunately, that was the first year he would go without a win since his first victory decades before. I was at a Richmond race at the old fairgrounds bullring of a track. Richard was running well (I think) when toward the end of the race his engine blew. Just one more let down in a miserable season.

At that time they would open the gates about thirty minutes after the race and let fans walk around the pit area. We always went down to look around. As we were gawking at the cars, I looked up and saw this huge crowd. I was elated to discover The King sitting up against a fence dirty, hot and disappointed, still in his firesuit, posing for pictures and signing autographs! Let me assure you not many people would have gone straight to that spot after the day and season he had, let alone when he didn't need to. I waited and had my picture taken (still have it) and got an autograph. He stuck around until the last person had left an hour or two later. That made an impression on me about class, appreciation and respect that has never been forgotten! When I've had all I can take and I'm in no mood for people that little memory often comes to mind and I realize I'm privaleged to be the position that I am.

THAT little memory also is is why Richard Petty is and will always be "The King". Who is the most fan friendly driver out there today?

Have you seen any of them doing something like that?

I met a little girl at a gas station selling lemonade in colquitt georgia she was in a wheel chair and her mom noticed my elliott #9 sticker on the back glass and told me they drove 4 hrs to dawsonville to meet with Bill, they were 30 min late and Bill was already up in the air headed to the track and the air traffic controller radioed the pilot and he told Bill about the little girl and he actually turned around and went back and spent about a hour with her and got photos and autographs. Then left for the track, all I know is he's got a fan for life.

[vinceadams9]

Originally Posted by isabeau

this is my first post here on this forum.. i feel that mark martin is very fan friendly. and its not because he is my favorite that i think this lol... also kyle petty seems fan friendly as well..

isabeau

Welcome Isabeau to the forum

[vinceadams9]

Originally Posted by sehja

I know all the drivers are required to do promo gigs now and some of them may really enjoy it - But Elliott used to work with Ford Dealerships all over the place to bring one of his cars and sign autographs for basically an entire day. He has done so much charity work in Georgia (don't know about elsewhere).

Well, you can see I'm a Bill Elliott fan.

Im a Bill elliott fan and Kasey Khane fan cause im stickin with that fine #9

[Souporscotty]

I was always liked Kenny Schrader. He'd come and race at some of the little dirt tracks here in Illinois, and seemed to never tire of being approached by fans.

[stephanie]

i would have to say Carl Edwards or Kasey Kahne they just seem so nice

[Dupont4five]

MR. EXCITEMENT

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by Dupont4five

MR. EXCITEMENT

Jimmy Spencer?... The only time he was fan friendly was when he blasted Kurt Busch in the face. I was cheering for him then.

[Nevadastars]

Originally Posted by Dupont4five

MR. EXCITEMENT

You may be correct, Dupont. I went to Colorado Nat'l Speedway for a Southwest Tour race back in 1993. They had a few Cup guys there, including Spencer, Richard Petty, Richard Childress and a couple others I cant remember. Jimmy was hamming it up for the crowd and did a lot of autographs. But that was the old Nascar. I have no idea who "The New Na$car" fan friendly guys are. I do know that during Tony Stewarts 1999 rookie season, he was the only one that would come out of the pit area by his souvenier truck and sign autographs. At least thats the way it was at Sears Point, when it was still SEARS POINT. Tony was very fan friendly that year.