There Is An Art To Getting Autographs

By Brit Fryer
NSSN Correspondent

The long route to getting a NASCAR driver’s autograph is simple: Mail whatever it is you want signed to the race shop, along with a flattering letter and self-addressed stamped envelope, and wait. And wait. And wait some more.
The straightforward approach is done at the race track, and a certain skill must be mastered to land the John Hancock of the biggest names in the Nextel Cup Series. Autograph seekers get there early and stay late. They’re pushy and seem to have longer arms than the rest. Hardly ever do they take no for answer, and they never let a little disappointment get them down.
Mike Hayes, a 39-year-old Canadian who travels to five NASCAR events each year, is one of the dedicated few. Name the driver and Hayes has his or her signature on something he owns.
“A lot of it is just being in the right place at the right time,” Hayes admitted.
Part of NASCAR’s appeal is that its personalities — namely drivers — are accessible far beyond any other professional sport. Fans with the proper credentials are allowed in the garage, free to roam and roll up on someone and say, “Excuse me. Can I have your autograph, please?” More often than not, drivers oblige and even carry a black Sharpie in their fire-suit pocket just in case cursive writing is called upon.

JOHN HANCOCK: Fans gather around defending series champion Jimmie Johnson to get his autograph at Pocono Raceway in June. (Autostock Photo)

“The fans are what makes this sport,” said Jimmie Johnson, the defending Nextel Cup champion. “The least we can do is take some time out for the fans. (The drivers) love the fans.”
Many drivers have prearranged autograph sessions, guaranteeing fans a handshake and signature, maybe even a quick photo. But part of the fun is the thrill of the hunt, as fans stalk drivers all day, some with the hope of increasing the value of their diecasts or souvenir sheet metal.
Drivers will sign anything and everything, too — underwear, Goodyear scuffs, helmets, trading cards, tickets, T-shirts and hats. Newborn babies and even women’s breasts have been autographed.
It can be a lucrative business, and memorabilia collectors can make a small fortune through online buying and selling. A 16 x 20 autographed photo of Dale Earnhardt, Jr.’s No. 8 Budweiser Chevrolet fetches somewhere around $275. More than $2,000 is needed to buy a Simpson helmet signed by Junior.
Indeed, the signature means everything.
“I try to be nice and not shout at them. I don’t yell, ‘Hey, Tony‚ or ‘Hey, Jeff,’” Hayes said, discussing his approach during an impromptu autograph session. “I try to walk in front of them and simply hand them whatever I want signed. I keep it low, down in front of their face. They usually walk with their head down, so it does no good to try to reach in from the side or over his head.
“If he doesn’t grab the paper, car or whatever, you just keep on trying.”

A SUCCESSFUL HUNT

Here are 10 inside-the-industry tips for getting a driver’s autograph at the track with as little hassle as possible:
n The obvious: Be polite. Like your mother said, always remember to say “please” and “thank you.” Even in the fast-paced world of NASCAR, common courtesy goes a long way.
• If you somehow have a few hundred dollars to burn, buy a garage pass. Autographs are easier when you’re imbedded.
• If it looks like a driver is doing something important, he probably is. Don’t interrupt. Wait patiently.
• Always anticipate a driver’s next move. Set up camp at the exit of the motor-coach lot before the race. After all, drivers do live there on weekends. Or, wait near the entrance to pit road before driver introductions.
• Do not disregard the merchandise trailers. Oftentimes, after final practice and on race mornings, drivers hold autograph sessions at their merchandise trailers. Take a stroll through Souvenir City in the morning to find out which driver will be at what trailer. Signs show who will be where.
• Have whatever it is you want signed ready — your diecast in one hand and spray-paint Sharpie in the other.
• Drivers often make appearances around town. Reed Sorenson, for example, might visit the local Target, or Kevin Harvick might have an obligation at a nearby AutoZone.
• Work from the behind-the-scenes areas. Speed sets up its television stage each week outside the track. Don’t bother with the big crowd in front. Go to the side or behind the stage. That’s where a guest driver’s golf cart is waiting.
• When a driver is involved in a wreck, NASCAR mandates he visit the infield care center. Find out where that building is. He’ll come right out — albeit not in the best of moods — if he’s OK.
• Wait in line. If you really want a driver’s autograph, you’ll wait, even if it’s in the heat for two hours. And there’s a better chance of getting multiple items signed at once rather than on the fly. “Sometimes,” said autograph collector Mike Hayes, “there’s nothing you can do but wait. But it’s all worth it.”