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NASCAR Fan Classifications
by Donna Adams
My niece asked me to help her with her homework, so of course I said yes. I asked what it was she needed to do, she said she needed to show an example of classifications and she decided to do classes of NASCAR Fans, this is what we came up with:
NEWBIES: These are the newest fans, somehow they have just discovered the sport, they appear lost and confused at races.
They may or may not have even picked a favorite driver yet. They will ask a lot of questions, such as, "What are the pretty colored flags for?", Why are people wearing those headphones? and mostly, "When are they gonna start?". Newbies are fun to observe, but try to be nice to them, they may one day become diehards and our influence will show up later on.
RACER CHICKS: These are those scantily clad, beautifully tanned, gorgeous gals who are only at the races for 1 of 2 reasons.
RACER CHICK REASON 1: To try to hook up with a driver, crew chief or crew member, which is totally understandable, I guess.
RACER CHICK REASON 2: To be noticed, that's it, that's all, they usually don't have a clue what's going on down there on the track, and can't name one driver. But they do get the most camera coverage, so try to stand near one if you want everyone to see your sign.
RACEFANS & RACEGIRLS: 1ST RACEGIRLS: Totally different from RACER CHICKS. These gals know what's going on, sometimes more than most of the men. They know the drivers, they know the cars, the makes, the car #'s, the crew, the standings, and almost everything else, just ask one. They are extremely loyal to their favorite driver and will be dressed accordingly. They will be overly prepared for the race, they won't have a program, they don't need one, they will have a scanner preprogrammed, they will most likely have binoculars and/or camera. You can recognize them because they are intently watching and listening to the race, unlike the RACER CHICKS who are watching guys.
Now the male counterpart to a RACE GIRL is just as loyal and intent and are called RACE FANS.
RACE FAN WIVES: These ladies are only at the races because of their RACE FAN husbands, (and fear of RACER CHICKS & RACEGIRLS). They will be dutifully clad in the colors of their husbands driver, but couldn't pick them out of a line up. They have to ask which car they are rooting for. They usually smile all day, but it is forced.
TECHIES: These guys/gals are more interested in the machines involved than any of the people. They can quote you gear ratios, tire camber, and spring rates without batting an eye. They are really interesting people, but they don't fair well with RACEFANS OR RACEGIRLS. They do however impress the NEWBIES & RACERCHICKS.
Next there are DIEHARDS: These can be of any age, sex, or race, but have an extensive history with the sport. Their parents were DIEHARDS but are now THROWBACKS. DIEHARDS went from race to race, and most knew at least one driver as Uncle. They have more knowledge than all other fans except THROWBACKS. They either remember themselves or have told of the races on the beach. DIEHARDS are very willing to share their knowledge, but be careful, sometimes they get wound up and they are hard to escape from.
Lastly are THROWBACKS: These are the old souls of NASCAR, not that they are all old, but THROWBACKS identify with racing from the old days. The rough and tumble days, when cars were truly showroom styles with greatly tuned engines. These were project cars, that were worked on all week, then raced on Saturday nights and finally on Sunday. THROWBACKS usually are quiet observers who know more than most crew chiefs.THROWBACKS are also very good resources and they will usually answer any question as long as they don't consider it stupid.
Now this experiment was done with a light hearted meaning, but I think most of us can identify to at least one class. One thing all race fans have in common is a love of the sport, and as long as we pass it on to the young ones it will continue for many years to come.
I proudly consider myself a combination- DIEHARD/RACEGIRL. Where do you fit in?
NASCAR Fan Classifications
by Donna Adams
My niece asked me to help her with her homework, so of course I said yes. I asked what it was she needed to do, she said she needed to show an example of classifications and she decided to do classes of NASCAR Fans, this is what we came up with:
NEWBIES: These are the newest fans, somehow they have just discovered the sport, they appear lost and confused at races.
They may or may not have even picked a favorite driver yet. They will ask a lot of questions, such as, "What are the pretty colored flags for?", Why are people wearing those headphones? and mostly, "When are they gonna start?". Newbies are fun to observe, but try to be nice to them, they may one day become diehards and our influence will show up later on.
RACER CHICKS: These are those scantily clad, beautifully tanned, gorgeous gals who are only at the races for 1 of 2 reasons.
RACER CHICK REASON 1: To try to hook up with a driver, crew chief or crew member, which is totally understandable, I guess.
RACER CHICK REASON 2: To be noticed, that's it, that's all, they usually don't have a clue what's going on down there on the track, and can't name one driver. But they do get the most camera coverage, so try to stand near one if you want everyone to see your sign.
RACEFANS & RACEGIRLS: 1ST RACEGIRLS: Totally different from RACER CHICKS. These gals know what's going on, sometimes more than most of the men. They know the drivers, they know the cars, the makes, the car #'s, the crew, the standings, and almost everything else, just ask one. They are extremely loyal to their favorite driver and will be dressed accordingly. They will be overly prepared for the race, they won't have a program, they don't need one, they will have a scanner preprogrammed, they will most likely have binoculars and/or camera. You can recognize them because they are intently watching and listening to the race, unlike the RACER CHICKS who are watching guys.
Now the male counterpart to a RACE GIRL is just as loyal and intent and are called RACE FANS.
RACE FAN WIVES: These ladies are only at the races because of their RACE FAN husbands, (and fear of RACER CHICKS & RACEGIRLS). They will be dutifully clad in the colors of their husbands driver, but couldn't pick them out of a line up. They have to ask which car they are rooting for. They usually smile all day, but it is forced.
TECHIES: These guys/gals are more interested in the machines involved than any of the people. They can quote you gear ratios, tire camber, and spring rates without batting an eye. They are really interesting people, but they don't fair well with RACEFANS OR RACEGIRLS. They do however impress the NEWBIES & RACERCHICKS.
Next there are DIEHARDS: These can be of any age, sex, or race, but have an extensive history with the sport. Their parents were DIEHARDS but are now THROWBACKS. DIEHARDS went from race to race, and most knew at least one driver as Uncle. They have more knowledge than all other fans except THROWBACKS. They either remember themselves or have told of the races on the beach. DIEHARDS are very willing to share their knowledge, but be careful, sometimes they get wound up and they are hard to escape from.
Lastly are THROWBACKS: These are the old souls of NASCAR, not that they are all old, but THROWBACKS identify with racing from the old days. The rough and tumble days, when cars were truly showroom styles with greatly tuned engines. These were project cars, that were worked on all week, then raced on Saturday nights and finally on Sunday. THROWBACKS usually are quiet observers who know more than most crew chiefs.THROWBACKS are also very good resources and they will usually answer any question as long as they don't consider it stupid.
Now this experiment was done with a light hearted meaning, but I think most of us can identify to at least one class. One thing all race fans have in common is a love of the sport, and as long as we pass it on to the young ones it will continue for many years to come.
I proudly consider myself a combination- DIEHARD/RACEGIRL. Where do you fit in?
