Are nascar fans "snobs"?

Question

this IS a serious question - no trolling here.

what is it with us as fans that makes us look down upon new fans - either new to the sport or new to a particular driver? and i said "us" because i catch myself doing it as well, especially being a long-time busch brothers fan. (notice: even there, i felt the need to qualify myself as a "long-time fan" so as to not be brushed off.)

this "bandwagoner"-bashing has become prevalent not only because of rowdy's recent success, but also now that logano's "movin' up!" everybody is trying so hard to become his "first fan" or say they've seen him race before, just because they like the kid and don't want to be labeled a "bandwagoner." does it really matter?

i know, i'm going to hear, "we just don't like people who jump from winner to winner, pretending to be fans." why not? what difference does it make? a nascar fan is a nascar fan. why do we feel the need to put another fan down for any such reason?

so, do you think nascar fans are "snobs"?

Answer 1

OH it is Jr Nation

they have a habit of taking things to far

Answer 2

No, not all NASCAR fans are snobs, just some. But I can see what you are talking about and I, in all honestly, have tried my best not to be a snob to newbie fans or bandwagoners. Mainly because I hate stereotypes.

Example: I hate how the majority of Jr or Busch fans stereotype anyone who happens to disagree with their driver as haters. I am not a fan of either. That's doesn't make me a hater. It just means I am not a fan of theirs.

As far a bandwagoners, I guess you could say I am one. I have been a fan for 11 years. I was a diehard Rusty Wallace fan. However I also would yell for & buy souviners of Mark Martin, Dale Jarrett, Matt Kenseth, Bill Elliott, and a few others.

I currently have no all time favorite driver. I am leaning toward Carl Edwards. I can remember seeing him do a back flip after winning in the truck series & thinking that that was cool. But there again though, I have Mark Martin, Greg Biffle, Matt Kenseth, Kasey Kahne, Jamie McMurray, and Elliott Sadler shirts & merchandise. So, I guess that makes me a bandwagoner. So be it. I have not problem with other fans who switch favorite drivers like we switch underwear. No problem at all.

And I welcome the newbies. In fact I have tried to help a few. My sister-in-laws parents were at a car show in NC at a race track (I am assuming Lowes). Her dad was soo impressed with the track that he decided to go to a race. He choose Talladega. Now keep in mind that they had never even watch a race on TV.

My mom and I tried to tell them to go to another racetrack (read.....Atlanta) for their 1st race. Because knowing her parents & their personalities, we knew they would hate Talladega. We were right. Needless to say they aren't planning anymore races in the future.

But we tried to help them. The only thing besides stereotypes that really ticks me off, has been mentioned before. Fans (and media) acting like certain drivers can't make a mistake. Like whatever happens it always someone elses fault. Or thinking that another driver should move over & let their driver pass or win.

Examples: DW at Talladega was saying that if he was David Regan he would have moved over & let Jr pass him. Bologna. And (I can't believe I am bringing this one up) Richmond with Jr & Busch. Most Busch fans blamed Jr & many Jr fans haven't stopped blaming Busch. When in fact it was a racing deal that couldn't have been helped by either driver.

Those are thing that I really go off on. If that means I am acting like a snob, then I am sorry. It's not my intent. I think that NASCAR fans in general are just more passionate & loyal than any other sport out there. Plus we have to defend our favorite sport more than other sports fans do. And many times we just come off as snobbish & bitchy.

Anyway, that's my opinion. BTW  I like this question. It's defiently a good one.

Answer 3

h**l NO

everytime im at a race , ppl all around me are sharing all the food, beer, and even the sunscreen.

were defently not snobs, just huge fans.

Answer 4

No, I'm just a topless redneck with a mullet cheering for Joey Logonzo because I'm not a bangwagon, I cheer for him before he run his first race.

Answer 5

I can see where you're coming from with this, and to a certain degree, yes.

I'm in the same position you are, the sudden wave of fans Kyle has gained this season with him being so hot and the "jr. haters" that call themselves his fans, have kind of made those of us who were his fan before this season look as though we hopped the bandwagon as well. If someone wants to hop from winner to winner, so be it, I suppose, I'll stick by Rowdy, win or lose, just as I always have, those that hop off the bus just leave more room for those who choose to stay on. Hopping from winner to winner, while there's nothing wrong with it, is easy, sticking it out through your drivers hard times, that's what true fans do. In the aftermath of Richmond, I defended Kyle diligently, and tried to maintain composure, and not allow too much emotion to be involved. That's what we true fans do. But the people who are new to being Kyle's fans, I would never put them down, or even call them bandwagon hoppers, we all jumped on someone's bandwagon at one time, for whatever the reasons were we picked our driver.

Answer 6

because they're stupid instead of watching a little racing and then asking questions they ask before they know what they're talking about

people that dont have computers dont act like that

Answer 7

Wow theres a lot to read here, so I'm gonna try and not repeat what someone else has said.  Here's my take:

Yes and No,

As far as my yes, on these boards, we can be, it seems like everyone wants to be the smarter guy or the big contibuter.  I see so many good answers get thumbs down and it just blows me away.  You can tell by reading folks anwsers on who really is being un-bias in their answers, these are the folks that I consider true fans.  A fan, wither or not its against their driver or not, we'll answer a question as un-bias as possible.  This just my opinion.

As far as my no, fact remains, when your at a track, all the silly stuff that gets said here is completly out the window, because no one cares how long someone has been watching a sport, we're there to enjoy what we all enjoy.  Thats good hard racing.  As a Jr/Harvick fan, I've set with every other drivers fans, we give each other c**p, laugh, drink beer and enjoy the racing.  I have never one time gotten into an argument with anyone at a track or off these public forums, because when we are off of here, we're real people that cant hide behind a screen name.  (by the way, my name is Darrell)

If a person chooses to jump from driver to driver, I really dont care, maybe sometimes it takes that for someone to find a driver that is a good fit for them as a fan.  I'd just hate to have their bills for hats, collectibles, stickers and so on.  You also dont have to wait out winning slumps.  But the bashing is by far not because of Kyle and Logano, I remember some band wagon jumping when Jeff Gordon (just to name one driver) first hit the scene and all the bashing that guys jumping over to him were getting.  IMO, it's only more prevalent (at least here on this board) because they're are a lot more folks one this board then what there was this time last year.

Either way, I think this is a good question, I try not to come accross as a snob, but how folks interpet other folks comments is always up in the air.

Answer 8

I don't think we're s****. at all, we just have different favorites that most of us stick with, I began watching and going to Nascar back in the 70's. Met such greats as Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, DW, Dale Sr, Cale Yarboro, all those old great drivers, today my fav. is Dale Jr. I do miss all those drivers, but you have to retire sometime.

Answer 9

"Snobs" maybe as in thinking your driver is a god, and all other drivers (and their fans) suck. I make no bones about supporting Wild Thing but all the other drivers deserve respect too. I am anti-Chevy and definitely anti-Hendrick (Team Satan, Dark Side, whatever name), but I respect the fans who do like them.

Answer 10

Here on the internet, it's hard to tell the difference between bandwagoner and troll.  In many cases, they are the same.  There are lots of people who know jack squat about NASCAR, Kyle Busch, Junior, etc., but they know that these are good topics to get people riled up.

Jumping from winner to winner makes you a bandwagon fan.  You're not really a race fan, you just want to be on the winning side.  Makes it easier to troll or just generally be a jerk.  IMHO a true race fan is someone who is loyal, through good times and bad.

If feeling that way makes me a NASCAR snob, so be it.  I've been called worse.  :  )

Answer 11

A NASCAR fan is a NASCAR fan in my book, regardless of what "bandwagon" they may be on. I'm happy to see ALL types of fans on this forum. How boring would this place be if we were all the same. It's our differences that make this interesting. Granted, there are some users here who REALLY get under my skin at times, but I'm quite certain that I have pissed off my share of people on here too, so we're even. I don't mind people who jump from winner to winner - that's their right. I just can't stand the closed-minded fans of Kyle Busch, Dale Jr, Matt Kenseth, Carl Edwards, etc., etc., etc., who can't admit that their precious favorite driver does, indeed, s***w up from time to time.

I am glad to see ALL types of fans on here - Young or Old, Seasoned or Brand-New - and yes, even you Kyle Busch fans. You people give me someone to argue with.   : )  : )

Answer 12

I totally agree with you on this question..Snob, NO, FAN..YES

Fans are Real Fans that stick with their drivers no matter what team thru thick and thin no matter the ups and downs....

I personally cannot stand the "bashing" of any driver due to their success or lack of..I have followed the careers of many drivers and was and still am a Dale SR Fan, JR Fan, Stewart Fan, Newman Fan, Kurt and Kyle Fan, Harvick Fan, Biffle Fan, and occasionally pull for the underdog! Does that make me a bandwagoner?? NO..that makes me a TRUE NASCAR FAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

As for Joey...I am rooting for him also and hope that he makes it and becomes a great driver as well, new blood in the sport makes it even better, so why put him down before he has a chance, not ME!

Thanks for the thumbs at least you have a finger..lol...

Answer 13

New fans are awesome and needed right now.  I think NASCAR fans are pretty down to earth, in general, especially when compared to fans of some other unnamed motorsport.  If there are "bandwagon jumpers" that have recently gotten into NASCAR because of specific drivers, more power to them.  It takes all kinds of drivers to appeal to all types of fans and if we all liked the same guy it wouldn't be much fun.  People sometimes take criticism of their driver too personally (myself included sometimes) but I wouldn't call them snobs.

3 STR8 N 08!!!

Answer 14

Yeah, I am not sure....I have always openly admitted I have not followed NASCAR near as long as some of you. I can remember it from when I was little sitting on my dad's lap. I knew of DW, Earnhardt, and later Jeff Gordon. But, I didn't start watching until 2002.

Somebody made a negative reference the other day to "people who started watching after Earnhardt died"....I found it so confusing. I thought, does that make me less of a fan because I have not watched it as long? I watch at least one practice each week, qualifying, the race, and different programs on Speed on Monday and Tuesday when they discuss the past race. It's just something I did not become truly interested in until I was in my mid twenties.

I would give anything now to go back and watch racing from way back when. I have learned so much history from so many of you, that I know I truly missed out on a great era of NASCAR.

I guess in some people's book you are only a "fan" if you are a long time fan.

As for your reference to the Logano boy. Yes, I have noticed some people suddenly stating how long they have watched him etc. Will these same people continue to be his fan if he doesn't go anywhere in the sport, or will they start bashing him as a "never was"? I know nothing about him, other than what I read on Yahoo Sports this morning. I am intrigued, and find myself looking forward to the race tonight to see what he can do, and hoping he does well.

Answer 15

Nascar fans take allota heat in general. I personally attend a lot of dirt track races and I don't think you could ask to be around better people than real race fans. I have noticed that the majority of the snobbish race fans are the idiots that go just to see cars crash. In my opinion, your not a race fan if you enjoy watching people crash.

One thing about Nascar fans is that they are generally extremely devoted to one driver and will worship them to the grave and feel like they have to defend their honor amongst others...funny, but true...lol!

Answer 16

No I dont think we are snobs. If they are "New" to Nascar you have to start somewhere and when you come into a sport being "New" you want to go with a winner.. Its still a free country and they can jump from one to another if they want. I'm not like that but that's just me.

Answer 17

I have been a fan longer than most fans on this forum (and drivers) have been alive.I've seen changes that have been for the good and the bad.

I've seen fans come on board and be a fan of a car and not know who drives it.All because of a sponsor.

And I've seen "fans' come on and say that this driver is the best and is a champion,but they don't know the car number or make of the car.

Today I've drank a "COKE" and have gone to "HOMEDEPOT"

and got a "DEWALT"saw blade.Then a fast stop at "ARBYS" and to the Wal-mart and a bag of "M&M's" and a 12 of "MILLER" and "ARMOR ALL"Then a pit stop at the "SHELL" station that run 65 bucks I was off againThis ramble is fan loyalty.Nothing to do with a driver be it my favorite drivers sponsor is listed here,but a fan of the sport.

Some "new" fans will not think about how much they purchase that are sponsors of drivers other than their driver.

The snobs is when  certain fans jump on the forum and bash 42 drivers because of someone committing about theirs.I have been reported but some of the inmature new fans were not fans 5 or 10 even 15 years ago when a certain driver(s) were burning up the circut.We have cycled back and the same thing is going on today.

I've been a fan of the same driver for 10 years and will be until he retires.I'll pick another on but it will not be certain drivers of today but then there are some today I'll be a big fan of.

I for one have talked about the "coattail" riders and there are fans that are and there are drivers that are.It don't matter how I answer I always get "bad" answers fro 3 every time I answer,well that's the beauty here we can speak our mind.

so GO JOE GIBBS RACING.

Answer 18

I really like this topic, because I get ridiculed about it all the time. Because I live dead smack in the middle of Georgia we are exposed, in my view to the largest variety of sports at all levels. We have several Division 1 and 2 colleges local, we have mid-majors and the SEC. We have the Hawks and Falcons. They bring NBA games and NHL Games local. And of course a few NASCAR tracks scattered around like Atlanta Motor Speedway and Talldega. We have pro soccer (some call it worth watching), we have indoor soccer. Pretty much the TV spans far and wide to bring just about everything. AM dial I can listen to Falcons, Hawks, Bulldogs, Yellow Jackets, and many other games from the state.

So first and foremost I think it depends on peoples circumstances. How were they exposed. For instance, many people loved football and cheered for a favorite race team, however now there are a lot of people who have abandoned their team for the "latest fad", or whatever drivers seem to be having success at the time. I like FSU football, one of my uncles was an Assistant Coach in the 90's, until then I just liked watching the game following players and so on. I was able to meet tons of players during those years and fell in love with the campus. (The hot girls were a plus).

I followed the Chiefs Religiously until many of my favorite College players started being drafted or traded to the Titans, that is why I am a fan of theirs. I think this logic is similar to the logic in NASCAR, and makes fans be falsely accused of being bandwagon fans.

So wrapping up I honestly believe that this question depends on the person, like someone else said. I get smack all the time because I like so many different drivers, but, I have liked them for a long time now. I no longer would consider myself a Bandwagon fan. For the new people in the sport, they are looking for someone to cling to early on. Because quite honestly, if you just watch the race with no one to cheer for or watch, it is easy to be left wondering "why is this exciting?"

I will also throw a definite point. If a fan of a particular team will not support the team when they are not good , then they are a Bandwagon fan. I think Fair Weather and Bandwagon are virtually the same thing. However, I think NASCAR needs more fans regardless of their affiliations. Whatever gets them HOOKED to the sport and can keep them there is good overall for the sport. If they are buying their merchandise, that is a plus as well. As far as "snobbiness" goes, we need to respect and value everyone's opinion, as over time people need to realize that not everyone has the same mindset as them. I think long time NASCAR fans need to be tolerant of everyone's opinions, no matter how much they want to think theirs is the best, whether it is or it isn't.

Answer 19

Never noticed. I'm not.

Answer 20

"Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?"...HAHAHA  NO I don't we are snobs...just dedicated, territorial, etc.

Answer 21

hi,  well i'm new to this & i'm not a snob but that's my opinion anyway.   how could a new fan be a snob anyway?  so my answer is no to your question. bb