What advice would you give to new Nascar fan?

I'm a former street racer and a automotive technician, and my best advice to you is to not pick a favorite driver. You will end up watching the race with blinders on and become bored. It's more fun if you accept everyone as competition, and you can enjoy the racing from the front to the middle to the back of the field. And also by not getting stuck on one driver, you won't get your feelings hurt, like all the people who are going to give me thumbs down, because they are mad at me because they know that I know that they pick favorites. But I don't care, I always speak my mind, and I have the competitive nature, and I respect any guy who straps himself into a race car. I am also from way up north in Minneapolis, MN, and I know some black people that are also into street racing and NASCAR, and can build some mean machines. Accept the sport as a whole, and it will be much bigger, for you. Don't force yourself to have to pick a "favorite driver", and you will see a lot of things most people don't. Watch everyone and watch how they do their thing. Each driver has his own style. But please, keep an open mind, and never hate the competition. By doing this you will appreciate any guy who wins a race or a championship, because you will not be rooting for a driver, you will be rooting for the competition from lap to lap. I only watch the cup races but I have seen every race for over the last 120 races, and I just watch to see who can give the best performances, whether they win or not. Take my advice for the first half of the season, and then you will know which driver you want to "watch". Just respect all the drivers for the performances they give us.

Like most people said watching on TV is great but going to a race and experiencing everything that goes along with it is awesome!!!! . Another thing you could do is watch the supporting races as well. Lots of times I hear people at Sprint Cup races ask " Where did this guy come from?? " all the while that driver has been racing in the NASCAR Truck series or the Nationwide series or even in ARCA. It will keep you from asking those silly questions when a new driver arrives on the scene. So welcome to the NASCAR Nation and maybe we'll run into each other at a race some where.

There are black people all over the Nascar circuit. My wife is black and she loves Nascar. I would highly suggest going to a race, rent a scanner and listen to the action you're watching. That will get you hooked and it will never be the same after that. Watching races on TV is okay because you get to see replays, stats and everything else that happens on the track, but nothing is like going to a live race. It is a party you won't forget. Do pick a driver though. That is what makes it a competition. Don't let anybody persuade your decision. Make your own choice. Visit NASCAR.com and see what it is all about. You can watch races from last year and further back. Welcome to the thrill ride of NASCAR.

Cheer for Mark! Hes the best, cleanest, most respected driver in the buisness. Hes the man. And he will hang it up in a couple years, although i hate to say it :(. But there is a great 20 year old coming through the ranks who is black. He is one of the best drivers i have ever seen in my life. I saw him run a couple figure 8 races and was super impressed. He will be in the sprint cup in a few years im sure of it. Hes a super down to earth guy. I had the chance to talk to him a couple of times and he was cool. The only bad thing about him is that hes a Tony Stewart fan and i cant stand Tony because i have family that raced with him and hes a butthole to put it mildly. But seriously look up Micheal Cherry, he is gonna be one hell of a nascar driver. Until he gets there though stick with Mark!

I have to agree with Richard W., fluffy, and Don L.

Go to a race and experience it first hand. It is awesome. Go and be a tourist! Have fun. NASCAR people are some of the nicest folks you will meet. We come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and odd hairdos!

Some good sites to check out are:

http://www.nascar.com/

http://www.speedtv.com/

http://www.jayski.com/

http://msn.foxsports.com/nascar

Speed TV has some good programs to watch like Wind Tunnel, & NASCAR Victory Lane....... I am a NASCAR junkie! I have to catch everything that's on TV during the season!

And, don't take anything personally. We all speak our minds and we can be opinionated. Just take it for what it's worth!

Welcome on board!

Go to a race once, because it is a very different experience. I notice you said there weren't black people at the time, but now there are several who are slowly making a name for themselves in NASCAR. Bill Lester is the man you hear about the most. If you are just coming into NASCAR, I wouldn't choose Mark, since he will be retireing soon. I'd go with a rookie that you can stick with for quite a few years.

Hey man, welcome aboard. Daytona will be one of the most exciting races of the year, and go for Mark. He's a great driver to cheer for. He'll retire in a few years though, so you might want to have a backup to cheer for. I root for Kasey Kahne(#9 Budwieser Ford) and David Reutimann (#00 Aaron's Toyota). I want you to go for those guys, but it's your choice. And DON'T EVER root for the 48 car. HE'S WON 4 CHAMPIONSHIPS IN A ROW!!!!!!!!!! Just grab a drink, some Cheez-its and sit down about 1 on Sunday afternoon and watch the race. You'll get hooked, I promise.

Look beyond the top 3 Nascar divisions. Find your closest short track and go out one night for some great action. Many race fans ignore their local short tracks. All those race drivers in the Cup series had to start somewhere.

http://chasinracin.net/track-locator/states/index....

Well like others have said, go to a race. I've been a fan for years, but was totally blown away the 1st time I actually attended a race.

And grow thick skin. No matter which driver you choose as a favorite, he will have his " haters". Some more vicious than others, but that is actually one of the best/worst sides of this sport. The fans are rabid, and most leave little room for the competition in their well wishes.

Keep in mind that NASCAR is akin to the WWE, it is rigged and fixed for the Hendrick Motorsports Corporations; They manipulate the races for Dale Jr, Jimmie Johnson, and Jeff Gordon; Mark Martin is the only driver at Hendrick with any integrity. They sabotage young "unpopular" drivers like Kyle Busch.

If you can tolerate "arranged" entertainment that is staged for "mass appeal," than you will have a great time being a NASCAR fan. If you are looking for and honest and fair sports, that has no outside influences by the sanctining body than you should stick with NCAA sports, or the NFL.