I'm sure most of you picked one of the well known winning teams to begin with.  We all want to see our driver in the winner's circle and his car on TV during the race. Becoming a NASCAR fan had a little  different beginning for me.

At work one day, an old boss of mine walked in with Roush Racing t-shirts. I had never really paid much attention to NASCAR. My ex-boss, Rich Baugh, grew up in Michigan and was a friend of Jack Roush's. Mr. Baugh also had the honor of winning the Texas lottery.

This gave him the opportunity to work part-time and to ask Mr Roush a favor. Rich wanted to work in one of the pits at a few NASCARraces. Mr Roush talked to some people and got him a gig working in the pits for the Wood's Brothers # 21 car. I'm not sure exactly what he got to do but it had something to do with checking the tires after they were taken off the car. At this time, Elliott Sadler was their driver.

I decided that I would have to watch the races Mr. Baugh would be working on Elliott's pit crew just to see if I could catch a glimpse of him. No such luck, but I did become a NASCAR fan and definitely an Elliott Sadler fan! Who could resist rooting for this young, good-looking, enthusiastic guy with the slow Virginian drawl. 

For the last ten years I have faithfully followed and watched Elliott. There have been good times and bad but never-the-less, I'm still a fan. I have a beautiful M&Ms jacket but now cannot wear it because Elliott has moved on to a new team and why would I want to be seen in a jacket now associated with Kyle Busch!

Good luck to all you NASCAR fans and your favorite drivers. Best of luck to the #19 team of Elliott Sadler and his great spotter Brett!