[Juniorfan88]

I would like to put this out to anyone considering going to Mark Martin’s Fan Appreciation Day in the future. My comment is simple: DON’T GO!!! It was so poorly organized that it was painful to watch. The local police were there doubling as security and organizers and they really seemed clueless. As an avid autograph seeker, I know the correct etiquette when standing in line waiting for tickets, wristbands, etc. Unfortunately, we experienced seekers have to deal with the inexperience, and flat out rude behavior, of the less avid collectors that show up to these events. Usually security steps in to keep everyone in check. In this case, that did not happen. The police took people and pushed them way in front of people that had been there for hours, even days, longer waiting in line like they are supposed to. How do you justify putting someone in front of me, after I slept in the parking lot the night before? Their response was, “Everyone will get an autograph.” I already knew that, and that is not the point. The point is, I should get my autograph before them. I waited in line…I had my wristband….I was there first. This is just for Tony Stewart…you should have seen it when the moto-meatheads showed up for Ricky Carmichael. It wasn’t bad enough that the locals in Batesville Arkansas were there in full force, now the immature, moto-meatheads had to come out and tell everyone what a great motorcross rider they are. The guy in front of me actually said he was the “mid south champion” last year. I got news for him. If he was all that great, what is he doing standing in line to meet Ricky Carmichael? Shouldn’t he be out trying to repeat as champion? What a dork?

I also witnessed the least classiest act I have seen…and it was from Mark Martin himself. Let me set the scene. A mother, father, and two children go up to the autograph table to see Mark Martin. They ask for an autograph and Mark Martin signs it. No problem right? WRONG. He signed the kids’ foreheads…in a black Sharpie. Now, after more than 2 minutes in this town you learn to expect very very little from people. (Again, that’s Batesville Arkansas….DO NOT VISIT THIS PLACE. IT’S FOR YOUR OWN GOOD!!!) The fact that the parents were dumb enough to request this…that’s no surprise. I certainly don’t expect the kids to have enough sense to realize that this is a stupid idea. I mean come on…look at the parents. My biggest contention is where was Mark Martin’s sensibility? Why did he not say, “Look guys…That’s cute and funny, but really, that’s not right.” This completely destroys my image of Mark Martin. He’s too classy to do a victory burnout but he’ll sign a kid’s forehead? Give me a break. My friend made the comment that the kid looked like the next up and coming serial killer. Way to go Mark!!!

I do have a positive comment and I want to end with that. I am an avid Tony Stewart hater….or at least I was. As we stood in line, there was not one person that did not have a “Here’s how Tony Stewart disrespected me” story. They ranged from Tony telling little kids to leave him alone and get out of his way, to don’t take my picture unless you want me to whip you, to just flat out snubbing people. I don’t know what he took when he woke up, or if he was trying to run for office, but I have never seen Tony Stewart act like this. He was AWESOME. He signed anything and everything. He was hugging the fans and kissing the babies. He took pictures, laughed, joked…it was amazing. I was so stunned when I got up to see him that I literally could not talk. I thought I was in the Twilight Zone. I personally am beginning to move towards the dark side. I don’t own any Stewart swag yet, but I may have to buy something at one of his trailers when I go to the Texas race in April.

[PettyBlue]

Originally Posted by Juniorfan88

He signed the kids’ foreheads… He’s too classy to do a victory burnout but he’ll sign a kid’s forehead? I have never seen Tony Stewart act like this. He was AWESOME. He signed anything and everything. [/font][/size]

Mark did,how about Tony?ps. welcome.

[SpaceCadet]

There are so many Mark Martin fans that it's almost blasphemy to say anything negative about him. I have had only one personal experience with Mark Martin and I won't go into detail, but he was rude and arrogant and destroyed my son's image of what he felt a gentleman was. Now, maybe my son's expectations were unrealistic, but Mr. Martin should not have been out signing autographs or greeting fans if he was having some kind of "moment", shall we say. Well known people are human, too, but to be just out and out mean to a bunch of kids, a very well behaved, polite, bunch of kids, is uncalled for. He's now on my list of "people I could give less than two ####'s about", and I'm sure it would just crush him if he knew that.

[kcoruol]

I never would have thought Mark Martin was like that.

[Lefty Noob]

Wow... anyone else attend this event? If so, could you share your experiences with the rest of the board?

[Team Yates]

Never been to this, but did meet him at the trailer in Dover a few years back. There was no problems other ME!! I dropped the photo that I purchased (at the trailer) a couple of hours earlier and proceed throught the line and drop the photo in the mud right in front of Mark!! A lady in the trailer took the photo from me and handed Mark a new one to sign for me. Only thing was, I was getting my t-shirt signed, I bought the photo for a friend who is a huge Mark fan, so it turned into a bonus!! Not only did my shirt get signed but so did the picture!! I even told them that I bought the photo for a friend that I just wanted my shirt signed. Mark grinned at me and said, "Here you go, hope your friend likes it." I told him she would be thrilled!! The reaction was tremendous.

[Phils20]

I've been lucky enough to be in the pits and garage quite a few times. I have to honestly say that from my observations, these folks are really like anyone else. They have good days and bad. Even REALLY nice folks like Kyle Petty and Michael Waltrip have bad moments, and folks that I would have thought were the biggest jerks were awesome. I have kept all my good thoughts of drivers, and actually been won over by the ones I thought were the jerks.

I would hope that anyone out seeking autographs just try to remember that these people really are just like the rest of us!

I think they have a tough job at times. Now as far as the Mark Martin deal, that does surprise me a lot. Since that event was for him, at his dealership, one would think he would be prepared, ready, and willing to be at his best.

The last thing I will say is that I think we are often better off not meeting our Idols, heroes, whatever else you might call them. If that person being rude to you is going to ruin your day, or change your view of them, then you really shouldn't bother to go to the event. I don't think any athlete owes us anything other than to perform at thier best for their team and fans every time out. And stay out of legal issues. Ya know, just be a normal person. I know there are times that I sure wouldn't want a camera on me during my private life. And it's easy for us to say that they make a ton of money, and for us to feel like they owe us something.

But they don't.

Again, the Mark Martin event is an exception. I think you just have to be gracious and accommodating for something like that!