You Might Be Addicted To NASCAR If You Have These Symptoms
NASCAR is one of the most exciting sports in the United States. Every season drivers put their pedals to the medal for a chance to win the Monster Energy Cup. For ten long months, fans watch with their hearts in the pit of their stomach, cheering on their favorite drivers while yelling at TV screens. These fans are addicted, and if you're reading this article, you might be addicted to. We've done the research, and these are the signs that you might be hooked on the adrenaline rush that is NASCAR!
You Coach The Pit Crew From Your Couch
It's race day and Joey Logano just pulled into the pit lane for new tires and fuel. Are you watching calmly, enjoy the precision the crew works with, or are you yelling at them to be faster while coaching them through every gut-wrenching second?
If you admitted to being the second person in the question, then you definitely love NASCAR. Just like NFL diehards yell at their teams to be better, or pass the ball instead of run, you have your own opinions about racing.
You Buy Products Based On Sponsorships
What company sponsors your favorite driver? Is it Target? Wal-Mart? Now think about which of those to stores your shop most at. If it's the same store that sponsors your favorite racer, then you're definitely addicted to NASCAR.
We're guessing that when someone tells you they are going to the "enemy" store you judge them, too. It's okay. Driver loyalty in NASCAR leads to brand loyalty. You probably have the same opinions about Skittles and M&M's!
You Plan Your Weekends Around Races
If NASCAR is your addiction, then you plan your weekends around it. For ten months out of the year, the only places you care to be on race day is on your couch or at the track.
Any traveling you do during the year must be planned around your ability to watch the race. If you go to the movies, they must not interfere with you and your favorite sport. Everything about the weekend comes back to NASCAR, and you're not ashamed to admit it.
You Have A Victory Lane For Your Car Collection
Sports fans love memorabilia. We collect everything from Jerseys to bobble-heads, and NASCAR fans are no different. Instead of goofy stadium giveaways, though, you collect diecast replica cars, and if you're a true fan, you have them lined up on a shelf at a homemade "Victory Lane."
If you really want to go the extra mile, you change which car is sitting in Victory lane to reflect each race winner. Having that many cars are a financial investment for sure, but when that is fully justified when you have a need for speed!
You Believe Every Conspiracy Theory
Do you believe that the Pepsi 400 was rigged in 2001 so that Dale Earnhardt Jr. would win the race? The conspiracy theory says that it wouldn't have been possible for him to move up from sixth to first in the final two laps without a little help.
If you accept this theory as NASCAR truth, then you're definitely a real fan. Just like NBA fans blame the refs for "fixing games" constantly, you know that races "aren't as fair" as they should be; not by a long shot.
You Yell At The Car In Front Of You As Soon As The Light Turns Green
Let's set the scene. You're sitting behind a few drivers at a red light. Your hand is squeezing the wheel tight and your foot is ready to push the pedal down with authority. The light turns green, and before the drivers in front of you have a chance to move, you start yelling, "Go!"
Just because it's not race day doesn't mean you don't have NASCAR on the mind. You see your opportunity and have no patience for anyone in front of you. The light turned green, so the race is on!
Driving On The Freeway Is A Race
Speed limits are made to be followed, and you understand that. Still, when you're on the freeway you can't help but imagine yourself in a race with the drivers. You think about what car would be the best to draft behind and who is driving too slow to be in the fast lane.
If you can get ahead of just one more car before taking the off-ramp, then you've won. To be clear, we're not saying you try and drag race every one on the freeway, you just like to be the first one person to arrive at work in the morning.
You Know Every Driver's Sponsor
In any given NASCAR race, there are 43 drivers on the track. Not only are these drivers identified by the number on their car, but they are also identified by their sponsor, which is always printed in view on their hood.
As the cars go around the track, you follow the sponsors to see where your favorite driver is. You know every single driver by their sponsor, and you can't wait for the Jimmie Johnson's Lowes car to pass the Joey Logano's Pennzoil car and win the race!
Your Diecast Cars Are NOT Toys
We know we talked about diecast NASCAR cars like toys. If that made you angry, then we apologize with this; Your diecast cars, while they look like your kid's Hot Wheels, are definitely, 100 percent, NOT toys.
These small models show your loyalty to the sport and its drivers. You never play with them. You simply put them on a shelf, displayed in their victory. They are to be stared at with envy and kept in mint condition to make all your other NASCAR friends jealous.
You Know The Point System Like The Back Of Your Hand
Scoring in any sport can be confusing to non-fans. In a sport like NASCAR, where points are accumulated throughout the season, following the scores of drivers can be even more complicated. Not for you, though!
You know how the scoring system works, and you love explaining it to friends when they ask. You can even explain how the playoff system works, which is one of the more confusing playoffs in all of the professional American sports!
You've Asked For Free Gear From Every Driver
When you attend races, it's important that your ticket puts you in a place where you can ask drivers for free gear after the checkered flag waves. It's not easy, but it's worth the hassle. Especially for a mega-fan like you!
You also write letters to your favorite drivers asking for used race gear. A signature is nice, but a pair of driving gloves is the holy grail. And while not every driver is as giving as you'd like, you've still managed to acquire an impressive collection of free gear.
You Know What's Wrong With A Car Before Commentators Do
The race is on, and the camera is focused on Kevin Harvick. A funny noise comes from his engine causing the commentators to say, "we wonder what's wrong." You never give it a second thought though and yell out exactly what's wrong.
That strange noise has happened before in his car, and speculating about what it could be won't win the race. Harvick needs to get to pit lane as quickly as possible to get his engine purring the perfect tune again, and you know the lyrics to this song all too well.
You Know The "Back Roads" To Your Favorite Tracks
Unless you plan to show up several hours early to a sporting event, you will end up stuck in traffic. What matters is that you learn how to get to the race track while avoiding the most traffic possible.
You're definitely addicted to NASCAR if you have learned all the back roads and secret ways to get to your local track every race day. Even if it takes 100 turns to get there, you still move faster than the traffic on the freeway!
There Is Always Enough Time For A Comeback
The race you're watching could be on lap 349 of 350 with your favorite driver in 32nd place, but you still have faith they can pull off the comeback. As outlandish as this may seem, anything is possible in NASCAR.
It is your sworn duty to your favorite driver to watch the race until it's over. You never know, the biggest crash in the history of NASCAR could happen, allowing Kasey Kahne to sneak all the way to the front of the pack with some clever maneuvering.
You Could Do A Better Job In Pit Lane
Every second counts during a pit stop. One dropped lug nut can cause a delay that could cost your driver the race. And when this happens, you let the pit crew know how you feel from your couch.
If we had to guess, you probably yell something along the lines of, "I could do this faster!" Then you throw your arms up in frustration. NFL fans do the same thing every Sunday when their team's quarterback throws a game-sealing interception.
You Cheer For Wrecks
Very rarely do drivers suffer serious injuries from car wrecks. NASCAR vehicles are basically giant roll cages, making accidents far less scary than they should be. Because of this, crashes have become one of the most exciting parts of the race.
When cars collide and metal goes flying, you hoot and holler like no one is listening. The only downside to these wrecks are the caution laps that follow, because now your driver, who was winning the race by a wide margin, is back in the pack, leading by only a few inches at best.
You Have A Tattoo With Your Favorite Driver's Number
What better way is there for you to show your loyalty to your favorite NASCAR driver than by getting a tattoo of their car number. When doing this, just remember, you can put it anywhere on your body.
You can display that "88" on your bicep for everyone to see, or you can keep it hidden. What matters is that NASCAR, and the driver you love, is so important to you that you will never regret forever marking your body with your pledge of allegiance to them.
You Count Cars On The Freeway
Do you know why you count cars on the freeway as they pass you? Or when you pass them? The reason is that driving is a race. Not only are you trying to finish in first, but you're also trying to keep track of your competitors.
How many times has the blue Prius passed you? Did you pass that black Civic before? These things matter, and keeping track of them gives you pride when you finish the race and reach your destination.
You Don't Need A Program At The Track
Upon entering any stadium for a sporting event, someone will try and hand you a program. This helps you keep track of the drivers and what to expect during the day. As a NASCAR viewing veteran, you can walk straight past this person and find your seat.
Once seated, you know what's about to happen so well, you can even answer any questions other fans around you might have. These include who drives what car, how many drivers made the cut, what time the race will start, and who is favored to win.
You Make New Friends Based On Driver Loyalties
As a NASCAR fanatic, it's not possible to not have a single thing in common with someone except your loyalty to Brad Keselowski and still be best friends. It's the driver that bonds you and creates a shared experience.
Every race day, you meet up with your friend and cheer together, yell at the pit crew together, and celebrate together when Keselowski crosses the finish line in first. When the race is over you part ways, ready to do the same routine again in one week.
