In its annual post-season NASCAR issue, Sports Illustrated magazine includes results of a survey of nearly 1,400 race fans conducted at various tracks around the country. Some of the more interesting results include: – The best driver of all time? Dale Earnhardt, with 56%, easily over Richard Petty’s 17%. – Dale Earnhardt Jr. is the current favorite driver of 28% of the fans surveyed, with Jeff Gordon next at 15%. – When asked which driver has the most arrogant fans, 47% said Gordon. – The fans’ three favorite tracks are Bristol, with 22%, Daytona, with 19%, and Lowe’s Motor Speedway with 13%. – More than half of the fans, 57%, attend two to four races per year. And 48% of them travel 200 miles or more to attend a race, with 25% traveling 500 miles or more. – An amazing 19% of fans said they had spent $1,000 or more on NASCAR merchandise in the past year, while 97% of the fans said they’d bought at least one piece of merchandise in the past year. – Only 32% said that have been able to get their favorite driver’s autograph.( ThatsRacin.com )(12-23-2003)
