[vincesanity82]

Quite frankly, one of the key selling points of Cup racing in the past was that the drivers were available to the fans. Being really old I can remember when the big names could be found in the pits after races and were willing to sign autographs. Now the big names spend a lot of time and effort mapping their strategy for getting out of the track as quick as possible. If you were not fortunate enough to know someone to get you a pit pass or you did not have the opportunity to attend an appearance by your favorite racer your chance of collecting an autograph, getting a photo or having a close encounter of any type is pretty slim. Because of the huge growth of the sport in the last 10 years or so, Cup racing is not as fan friendly as it once was. The young drivers of today are really not into meeting the fans as Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison and others did in the past. The attitude of the young talents in Cup racing today seems to be "give me the money and get out of my way." -- PhillyBurbs.com

Nextel Cup is running out of gas (phillyBurbs.com) | Ernie Saxton

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by vincesanity82

Quite frankly, one of the key selling points of Cup racing in the past was that the drivers were available to the fans. Being really old I can remember when the big names could be found in the pits after races and were willing to sign autographs. Now the big names spend a lot of time and effort mapping their strategy for getting out of the track as quick as possible. If you were not fortunate enough to know someone to get you a pit pass or you did not have the opportunity to attend an appearance by your favorite racer your chance of collecting an autograph, getting a photo or having a close encounter of any type is pretty slim. Because of the huge growth of the sport in the last 10 years or so, Cup racing is not as fan friendly as it once was. The young drivers of today are really not into meeting the fans as Richard Petty, David Pearson, Bobby Allison and others did in the past. The attitude of the young talents in Cup racing today seems to be "give me the money and get out of my way." -- PhillyBurbs.com

Nextel Cup is running out of gas (phillyBurbs.com) | Ernie Saxton

With some of the "fans" out there, can you blame them?

For example, have you ever notice that when a pit reporter is walking along with Driver X, getting "The Word," how many jerks will try and stop the driver to try and get him to autograph something? Some meaningful memento, right? Something which the signee will treasure forever, right? Make me a bet that 90% of that stuff is on E-Bay within 24 hours.

They have to stay in motor homes at the track. Can you imagine the mob scene if, say Jeffie Pooh or The King of the Red Army were staying in the nearest Holiday Inn? These kids have no private life. Any time they are seen in public they are descended upon like vultures, demanding autographs.

If it were to be studied my bet would be that the biggest complainers about the lack of time the drivers give the fans are the same ones who act like the biggest jerks when dealing with the drivers.

[PenelopePitStop]

My two cents ... take it or leave it ...

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

For example, have you ever notice that when a pit reporter is walking along with Driver X, getting "The Word," how many jerks will try and stop the driver to try and get him to autograph something? Some meaningful memento, right? Something which the signee will treasure forever, right? Make me a bet that 90% of that stuff is on E-Bay within 24 hours.

This is very true. Not all of the signature hunters are fans. Some of these signature hunters are no different than the paparazzi seeking phots.

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

They have to stay in motor homes at the track. Can you imagine the mob scene if, say Jeffie Pooh or The King of the Red Army were staying in the nearest Holiday Inn? These kids have no private life. Any time they are seen in public they are descended upon like vultures, demanding autographs..

This also is true. However, this is to be expected with anyone in the public spotlight. Comes with the territory. Yet, there was a time when the "stars" of NASCAR were "approachable" by the fans. Has this changed because of the drivers? The media? The growth of the sport?

When I was in the garage area at Loudon, there were some drivers and commentators (Benny Parsons) just walking around, and were extremely pleasant with the fans. Posing for photos and all that. When Gordon finally arrived, he was surrounded by an entourage that could be compared to the Secret Service surrounding the President of the United States.

The sport has come a long way, as has its "stars". We, along with the drivers, have to accept the consequences.