January 16, 2003

In an effort to cut down on congestion in the garage area it appears NASCAR may now prohibit drivers from signing autographs. This issue has been simmering for some time. We’ve heard talk of restricted access for months. The moratorium on autographs is the latest idea to come out of Daytona. I must admit I have never understood this demand for autographs.

I’ve been a fan of NASCAR for more years than I care to admit. In all this time, I’ve gotten autographs from only two drivers, Dale Earnhardt and Harry Gant. Both signed the bill of a Talladega cap. I’ll always remember meeting these drivers; both were gracious, kind and accommodating.

I stood in line for almost two hours in the back aisle of a home improvement center to meet Dale. The autograph was secondary to getting to shake his hand and say thank you. I was nervous as I waited, would I be able to speak to him or would I stutter, stammer and make a fool of myself? I finally arrived at the table where The Intimidator was seated. As I walked up Dale was saying goodbye to the couple in front of me. It sounded like they were dear friends departing after a visit. He then turned to me and greeted me with a hearty, "How are you, did you have to wait long?" When I asked if he would sign my hat instead of one of the photos provided by the sponsor he said, "I reckon I can sign both." When I handed him my cap Dale looked at the logo and said, "Talladega, huh? Did I win?" I beamed and said, "Yes sir, you did." At the time, Fords were dominating so we chatted for a few seconds about what it was going to take to get Chevy back in victory lane. He posed for a couple of photos with me, showing a huge grin under his moustache. Warmly he shook my hand, bid me farewell and turned to greet the next dear friend in line. Our picture is still in my office after all these years. And I’ll treasure the memory of meeting Dale Earnhardt forever.

I thought that maybe I was being too hard-nosed, so I asked other fans their opinions on autographs. A fellow writer who has been in the garage many times tells me, "A driver scribbles his signature on whatever a fan hands him, then what? To me, the real treasure is to save the garage pass." One witty fellow replied that the only autograph worth anything to him would be on a check.

I met Harry Gant after he retired. It was at Talladega and he was signing autographs at the Skoal trailer. There wasn’t anyone in line so I walked up and said hi. Harry and I talked for a few minutes about retirement, which I’m not sure he was enjoying. When I handed him my hat he looked at the autographed bill and said, "Earnhardt? Earnhardt! I don’t know if I want to sign with Earnhardt or not! He’s liable to knock me off." Laughing and flashing that beautiful Harry Gant grin he signed my hat with a flourish. After meeting Handsome Harry, I wished I had pulled a little harder for him when he was competing.

I can honestly say I met Harry Gant and I met Dale Earnhardt. Had I not gotten either autograph I would have still enjoyed the meetings. I don’t understand people stalking and mobbing drivers for an illegible scrawl on a scrap of paper or a diecast car. Where’s the fun of shoving and jostling for a driver’s autograph if you don’t get to chat with or even make eye contact with him?

And what of the autograph itself, it could be valuable some day right? WRONG, a scribble that is unauthenticated is worthless. And a signature on a diecast car can actually make it less valuable. Serious collectors will not pay top dollar for an item that is not in pristine condition, a diecast with a scrawl across the hood is not pristine. Sure, you can buy these items online; they are available on many sites. However, I have two words of advice for shoppers; buyers beware.

I thought that maybe I was being too hard-nosed, so I asked other fans their opinions on autographs. A fellow writer who has been in the garage many times tells me, "A driver scribbles his signature on whatever a fan hands him, then what? To me, the real treasure is to save the garage pass." One witty fellow replied that the only autograph worth anything to him would be on a check. A syndicated sports poll asked readers if they approved of banning drivers from signing autographs in the garage area. Well over 50% said yes. I guess I’m not being too harsh after all.

The average fan stands the proverbial snowball’s chance in hell of ever getting access to the garage area. These passes go to the media or people that sponsors consider VIPs. Often enterprising autograph collectors will commandeer a pass as the rightful owner departs. NASCAR administrator Jim Hunter says ''In some cases, pit passes were going through two or three people from the original holder. We had no control whatsoever over who was gaining access to the garage.''If NASCAR prohibits autographs in the garage area the biggest complaints will probably come from the "bag people." This is the name insiders use for the entrepreneurs that are loaded down with bags of souvenirs to be signed, then sold. They wait outside the haulers, the motorcoach lot and even the portable toilets. They chase the drivers, get in the way of the crews and make an already dangerous situation even more hazardous.

All this hoopla for an illegible scrawl...I just don’t get it. No I don’t get it at all.

You can contact Orlena at: Insider Racing News