Name: Sharon
Current City: Wolcottville, Indiana
Hometown: Toledo, Ohio
Member since: 2011
Getting to know Sharon
Q. Why did you join the Official NASCAR Fan Council?
“I was excited by the possibility that I could contribute to the sport in some way that would advance NASCAR. I was also hoping that I would be able to learn about NASCAR in a way that extends and explains what is going on behind the scenes”
Q. How did you first become interested in NASCAR?
“My daughter was a die-hard Tony Stewart fan and wanted to watch races with me at my home. Given that I love her, and have always been interested in what she loves to do, I was in! Two races in – I was hooked for life!”
Q. What makes NASCAR special for you?
“The team spirit that goes beyond owners and drivers. There is paint-trading competition and at the same time there is a sense of family and shared goals. Experienced drivers try to mentor the newer drivers. NASCAR racing feels personal – we are introduced to the drivers lives, their families, their story and their crews. Crew chiefs feel like people we know and can feel for during a race. The ambassadors like Tony, Jeff G., Jr., Jimmy and especially Carl E. make NASCAR a welcoming sport as well as a sport that we can yell for, get aggravated, and get so excited that we jump out of our seats!”
Q: Do you have any favorite NASCAR memories or traditions?
“I was at Bristol when Tony was wrecked by Kenseth and threw his helmet. That was memorable! But other moments include Dale Jr’s response to missing his chance to advance to the next round in the Chase by an inch this year. He said that he didn’t miss the Chase by an inch, he had missed advancing all season and this was just the culmination of many problems. I immediately said that made sense and you just couldn’t be upset by it because he wasn’t. I mean we were disappointed, but he was right. Of course other memories are of Dale Sr. at Daytona – I’m still heartbroken. And of Mark Martin drag racing for a chance to win and not quite making it. My first Bristol race – wow! That was a memory! All of those folks camping for MILES and every single one waving hello, helping out, friendly and family like. My first Brickyard, my first Texas Motor Speedway experience…there are so many I can’t name them all. But the best tradition? Settling in with my family on race night with Raceview on, the volume up loud and our favorite drivers gear on. That’s NASCAR!”
Q: Do you have a favorite in any of the following categories?
Driver: “Dale Jr.”
Track: “Bristol Motor Speedway“
Memorabilia: “A crystal 88 car on a stand Bristol mini-cars from the races. My ton of gear – hats, coolers, lanyards, shirts, earrings, you name it – all with my driver on them!”
Q: If you could go to any NASCAR race/track, where would you go?
“Bristol Baby!”
Q: What do you like to do in your free time?
“Free time? If I have any free time I spend it with my husband either watching our favorite shows, or spending time with our kids and grandkids. Our favorite times are watching the races together. He’s a 24 fan and is devastated over Jeff retiring.”
Q: Tell us about your family. Do you have children and/or pets?
“I have a wonderful family! I have 3 daughters and my husband has a daughter. Altogether we have 7 grandchildren. We have a dog, Honey Dog, who is a therapy dog for mental health and comes to the office with me. We also have two cats, Peanut and Bianca. My husband is retired from the Military”
FROM ALL OF US AT NASCAR, WE THANK SHARON FOR HER CONTINUED SUPPORT AND LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM HER IN 2016.