Some fans would give their left arms if Kasey Kahne would sign them. Credit: Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images

Fans flock to Daytona to get first racin' fix of 2007

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Michael Warfel was just like the hundreds of racing fans wandering through the garage area Tuesday at Daytona International Speedway, except for two things.

First, the native of Riverside, Calif., was carrying a 6-foot long, white rear-bumper panel.

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"I've got a friend up in North Carolina, he gets all sorts of parts so I gave him a call," Warfel said. "Last year, I had a truck bumper. This year, it's a car bumper. Over the next month, my goal is to get the signature of every driver in Cup, Busch and Truck."

Second, the senior at Embry-Riddle University -- the aeronautical school just behind the speedway -- was wearing a fraying gray fleece pullover that looked like it was in desperate need of washing.

However, there is no way Warfel's sweatshirt will ever come anywhere close to a washing machine. Nearly every inch of the fabric is covered in driver signatures, from the greats to the not-so-greats, over 225 autographs in all.

"We got Junior, we got Gordon, you name it, it's on there," Warfel said. "This is my 10th year for the sweatshirt and it'll be retiring after this year."

Just like the drivers and crews, NASCAR's fans are getting ready for another season. Like bugs to a light bulb, the sounds and sights of Jackson Hewitt Preseason Thunder drew fans from all over the continent.

Fast cars and loud engines have that effect on some people.

Larry Fox, from Marion, Ohio, looked the most out-of-place of anyone in the garage area, wearing a red Ohio State jacket in the midst of Gator Nation.

"I'm just down for a vacation this week," Fox said. "Ah, boy. All the drivers, it's just awesome. It's the first time I've been here.

"I'm just looking forward to getting back to racing and watching the races again. I really love racing."

The offseason affects everybody, especially those from colder climates.

"When it quits in November, it's depressing so it's good to be back into racing," said Nancy Taylor, from Port Barrie, Ontario.

This was the third time at Daytona for Taylor, decked out in a black No. 8 jacket and hat. So will she make the trip to see the Busch Series at Montreal?

"I don't like the area where it is," said Taylor, echoing the feelings of some Ontario residents about the Canadian province to the east. "It's closer for us to go, but I've got my tickets already for Michigan."

Savannah residents Joseph and Abby Johnson have been married for a year-and-a-half and were sporting the colors of their favorite driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr. Hoping to snag an autograph, they were rewarded when Jimmie Johnson walked by.

So what kind of season will Junior have in 2007?

"I'm hoping to see some improvement this year," Abby Johnson said.

"I'd like to see his teammates get up to the front a little bit more," Joseph Johnson added. "They need to help him out. You need some help down here at Daytona. You can't run up front by yourself."

Then there were others who found the cool, clear day a convenient excuse to get away from work -- and in some cases, school.

Consider Orlando's Kurt Wildermuth, who allowed son Eric to play hooky for the day. Both were looking in the garage windows, hoping to spot a famous face or two.

"We were here last year as well," Wildermuth said. "I want to look at the cars, he wants the autographs. We're just going to have a good day.

"I'm looking forward to hopefully make it to the 500 this year."

As a Tony Stewart fan, both father and son would like another title for the No. 20.

"I'd like for Tony to win a championship, first of all, again," Wildermuth said. "But I just enjoy racing. I don't care.

"That's one nice thing about NASCAR is everybody sits in the stands and they don't really care who wins, when it comes down to it. They all pull for their driver, but in the end, everybody's happy."

And there were a lot of happy faces. Bring on the racing season.