Time for a shift in the traditional sports that I've been blogging about lately, time for Nascar!
2 Nascar Champions in 2 Weekends! Part 1 of 2; Rusty Wallace
One day, while playing Mafia Wars on Facebook, I noticed an advertisement on the side of the screen saying something about meeting Rusty Wallace in London, Ontario.
I clicked on the ad, after finishing up on FB, and it took me to a website for the "CPT Racing Experience". After checking it out, I realized that it was basically a racing expo for South-western Ontario. Many tracks, drivers, speed products, and sponsors were scheduled to be on display over the weekend. The highlight of the weekend was that 2 Nascar drivers were going to be at the Western Fair Agriplex for a Q&A and autograph session. The drivers scheduled to appear were Ken Schrader and the 1989 Nascar Champion Rusty Wallace. Schrader was to appear on Sunday, with Rusty on Saturday.
I've met other Nascar drivers before, and enjoyed getting Diecast cars autographed. There is quite a large autograph movement that collect autographed 1:24 Nascar cars. And from what I understand, drivers have no problem signing their 1:24 scaled cars; this is because they make good money from each car sold! Not only that, but in comparison to the 'big 4' sports (NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB) Nascar drivers are some of the nicest celebrities going, and seem always to have time for their fans.
On any given weekend across North America, I can guarantee that there is a Nascar driver(s) autograph signing going on...for free. Nascar and their drivers, always give back to their fans.
Living in Ontario, I don't always have access to these signings. But, when drivers are in travelling distance...I usually try to make an effort to go. My wife, Corinna and I, have collected a few drivers lately including, two-time Daytona 500 winner; Michael Waltrip, former rookie of the year; Kasey Kahne, and Nascar race-winner; David Reutimann. All of which, were very friendly and great signers!
I spoke to Corinna about the London event, and the wanting to meet Rusty Wallace on the Saturday. She said that it was great coincidence that we had a very important (and personal) appointment on that very Saturday, in London! Our appt was for 11:30am, and the Wallace signing was scheduled to start at 12:30pm. It didn't seem to be a problem. For days, I searched for an Wallace diecast car, and couldn't find one.
Finally, after searching Kijiji.ca, I found someone who was selling a few Nascar diecasts. So, I sent him a message, asking if he had a Rusty Wallace and if it was still available, and he got got back to quickly that he did have one left. So, I went to Kitchener to meet him, and to buy the car.
After picking up the 2005 Retro version MGD car of Rusty Wallace, Corinna and I made plans for the Saturday.
I had to work Saturday morning, then travel to London for our important personal appointment, and then go to the Race-car show. When the Saturday came around, Corinna dropped me off at work. When the time came for me to leave, I ran out of work with a couple of coffees, and met her outside!
We drove to London (enjoying our coffees), from Cambridge (where I work), and traffic was surprisingly light...and we made our appointment on time. Afterwards, we left for the Fairgrounds, where the show was taking place.
We arrived at the Western Fairground of London, 10 minutes later, and the parking lot was jammed full! We had to park a good 5 minute walk away! Once we paid and got inside of the Race-car show; we saw alot of cool stuff.
There were potential sponsors, race tracks, amateur drivers, vendors, and other racing stuff all on display. Lucas Oil had a large display, talking about their product, and the drivers and races they sponsors. Delaware Race Track, from Ontario, had a display showing the races they coming up for the season. Even Mighigan Speedway, came up to promote the Nascar races they had for this new year. There were many new and old race cars on display. Some were former Nascar cars, funny cars, outlaws, and exotics. I'm not much of a car guy, but some of them really cool to see!
At the end of the hall, was the stage and autograph area. Corinna and I went and got in for Rusty Wallace's autograph, and we were about 40th in line. He still has alot of loyal fans, as there were a large amount of people wearing Rusty's clothing. There were Miller Lite jackets, MGD jackets, hats, and Rusty t-shirts. People had photos, cut-outs, die-cats, and even car parts! Everybody around, seemed to have purchased something with Rusty Wallace's name on it!
We stood in line, and waited for Rusty to arrive and the Q&A period to begin. After waiting for abit, Rusty Wallace came out and took to the stage, to a thunderous ovation!
Many questions were standard Q&A type questions..."Where is your favourite track?", "What was your favourite win?", and "Who do you like this year?". One question was; "What advice do you have to new, young drivers trying to make it?". I thought he'd say something like "Try your hardest, or never give up" or some standard type of answer. But I was wrong.
He replied; "Always smile, always talk to every single person in the room, always have time for fans. You never know who you're dealing with...could be a potential sponsor. And those people who are quiet, never get a second chance...so always speak up, and to everyone".
I thought that this was excellent advice. He didn't bother to talk about racing itself...just what it takes to get to race professionally. I really respected his answer.
At this point, Rusty cut off the Q&A himself, and said he wanted to meet all these nice people, and start signing some autographs! He said this, with his southern accent, that made everyone smile.
He exited the stage, to his left, where a table was set up for the signing, and started meeting people right away!
He was very friendly, smiling, and chatted with people, while he signed. I have to admit, some of those Nascar jackets that people were getting signed, looked incredible with his awesome signature on it! Both Corinna and I were a little jealous of these people and there signed items!
When it finally our turn, Corinna stood off to side to take pictures (for this blog!) of my chance to meet Rusty Wallace. When I approached him, I took out my diecast car, and said; "Hello Rusty, how are you?". "I'm good, how are you?" the former Winston Cup Champion replied. "Great! When you sign these do you prefer to sign the windshield or the hood?" I asked, handed him my car. He looked at it for a second, just checking it out, then looked at me, and said; "I like to sign the windshield". He picked up his silver Sharpie, and did just that.
Rusty Wallace signed my diecast across the windshield, and added his famous number 2 to his autograph. I thanked him for his autograph, and shook his hand. "You're welcome!" Rusty said, shaking my hand. Cool thing was, he seemed incredibly genuine.
I walked towards Corinna, smiling, and showed her the signed car which she thought was awesome. We checked the car out, for a few more seconds, then she showed me the photographs she took. All good stuff. She's quite the shutterbug!
We left after checking out the rest of the event, and headed back to Guelph.
It was a good day.
Chris
PS- Hope you enjoyed my first blog on a Nascar driver. I will blog the second part of this entry very soon. Want a hint on who the Nascar driver is? Okay...think DeWalt.
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