![Tallahassee is devoted to football and shows no real interest in NASCAR. This was obvious when a local TV sports reporter commented that :Danica Patrick ran a great race "finishing almost third."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/63/f1/63f1dda075eb2eec7ef2b261d7433e80.jpg?itok=z2Vtrnws "Tallahassee is devoted to football and shows no real interest in NASCAR. This was obvious when a local TV sports reporter commented that :Danica Patrick ran a great race "finishing almost third.""){kind=small}
![While listening to the scanner, I decided to follow the MRN broadcast. I was able to hear the production crew and the off air comments. At one point, one of the commentators pointed out that there were two fans sitting on the turn one wall. (This after the horrific wreck on Saturday). He asked the others "Just how many beers would you have to drink to think that this is a good idea?"](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/e5/45/e54596606959073e3330ca2f30fe9931.jpg?itok=jtZwQIKD "While listening to the scanner, I decided to follow the MRN broadcast. I was able to hear the production crew and the off air comments. At one point, one of the commentators pointed out that there were two fans sitting on the turn one wall. (This after the horrific wreck on Saturday). He asked the others "Just how many beers would you have to drink to think that this is a good idea?""){kind=small}
![While entering the speedway, we stopped to chat with another fan. I had to walk away when he made the comment that "If Dale Earnhardt Jr. could pull off a win today, he would almost certainly become one of the three most popular drivers in NASCAR."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/image_content_width/hash/ad/f7/adf77debc2928c43501b1f4763c0a364.jpg?itok=SflzZ2Lt "While entering the speedway, we stopped to chat with another fan. I had to walk away when he made the comment that "If Dale Earnhardt Jr. could pull off a win today, he would almost certainly become one of the three most popular drivers in NASCAR."")
After an incredible trip to Daytona for the 55th running of the Great American Race, I came home tired, happy and with a realization that I have become a NASCAR Snob. Having followed the sport for more than 40 years (okay, more than 50 years), I pride myself on my knowledge and understanding of the technical aspects of racing. I also spend a great deal of time reading and listening to the reports of the drivers personal lives. This is what keeps me interested in the sport.
When I hear other fans make silly comments, it takes a huge amount of self-control to keep from sharing my knowledge. When I hear a reporter, someone who is paid to know what they are talking about, it just makes me mad.
Here are three examples of things that I heard or witnessed during and after the most recent Daytona 500.
![While entering the speedway, we stopped to chat with another fan. I had to walk away when he made the comment that "If Dale Earnhardt Jr. could pull off a win today, he would almost certainly become one of the three most popular drivers in NASCAR."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/85/f2/85f250c61722e11bcd5705a6b79a34c8.jpg?itok=RedXC2Qo "While entering the speedway, we stopped to chat with another fan. I had to walk away when he made the comment that "If Dale Earnhardt Jr. could pull off a win today, he would almost certainly become one of the three most popular drivers in NASCAR."")
![While listening to the scanner, I decided to follow the MRN broadcast. I was able to hear the production crew and the off air comments. At one point, one of the commentators pointed out that there were two fans sitting on the turn one wall. (This after the horrific wreck on Saturday). He asked the others "Just how many beers would you have to drink to think that this is a good idea?"](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/1f/71/1f71f157a1132feddc339baa7a3a082b.jpg?itok=raHS5OKT "While listening to the scanner, I decided to follow the MRN broadcast. I was able to hear the production crew and the off air comments. At one point, one of the commentators pointed out that there were two fans sitting on the turn one wall. (This after the horrific wreck on Saturday). He asked the others "Just how many beers would you have to drink to think that this is a good idea?"")
![Tallahassee is devoted to football and shows no real interest in NASCAR. This was obvious when a local TV sports reporter commented that :Danica Patrick ran a great race "finishing almost third."](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/c0/52/c05282febf001fbca765b5244391222e.jpg?itok=zyn8ipmt "Tallahassee is devoted to football and shows no real interest in NASCAR. This was obvious when a local TV sports reporter commented that :Danica Patrick ran a great race "finishing almost third."")
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