Oct 01 2007
NASCRAP
Until I became a NASCAR fan, I hadn’t really noticed just how much – pardon my bluntness – CRAP is out there bearing some sort of driver name, image, number, and/or team sponsor.Literally, if you can think of it, someone’s slapped a number on it and it’s on eBay. One quick computer search confirms my suspicions. Tens of thousands of NASCAR items – from fishing lures to toilet paper – are for sale.
It made me wonder … why? What’s the reason behind fans buying all this stuff?
Does buying more driver merchandise make you a bigger or better fan? I mean, are those people walking Fido on a Jimmy Johnson dog leash or sporting a Robby Gordon doo-rag more dedicated to their driver than those who aren’t?
Are there psychological benefits for fans purchasing driver-labeled merchandise? Does the Kurt Busch Pro Grip Hammer put his fans in a better mood (just thinking about those snow angels), thereby making hammering easier and more fun?
Perhaps fans believe driver merchandise allows them to share their allegiance with others in subtle, unspoken ways. For example, the Jeff Gordon Neon Yard Sign quietly lets every neighbor, passing car and low flying plane know who loves the #24 car.
Maybe there’s a legitimate numerology secret, whereby that big ol’ #20 painted on the side of the Tony Stewart Crock Pot makes stew taste better?
Does driver merchandise actually enhance the look and value of a home? I’m sure Realtors everywhere are advising sellers, “Decorate the house completely in ‘Office Depot Red’ and splurge on the Carl Edwards bed-in-a-bag, shower curtain, book-ends, fan pull, light-switch cover and coordinating BBQ accessories!“
Finally, maybe driver merchandise is just the best way to recruit new fans. Buy those new-born babies their Dale Earnhardt Jr. booties, bibs, bottles and binkies before they develop a mind of their own and pick some other driver to support.
One visit to my friend Cintrois’ home – or office – or car, for that matter – and there’s NO mistaking her allegiance. Every space runneth-over with #20s, bright orange colors, and images of Tony Stewart. There’s the usual items, like towels, DVD’s, a hand-made quilt, tire pressure gauge, hair scrunchies, action figures, bobble heads, pens, candy tins, a toothbrush, etc. And interspersed are the more fanatical – including a life-size cardboard cut-out she affectionately calls ‘Ravioli Tony’ because he’s holding a can of Chef-Boy-R-Dee. There’s more: a Tony Stewart bird house, handmade Home Depot cow, championship 6-pack of Tony Stewart Coke bottles, Smoke BBQ sauce, car-shaped phone and a can of beans with his face on the label.
Because she’s the biggest collector of driver merchandise I know, I figured Cintrois would be the best person to shed some light on the subject. “It’s certainly not to help him financially,” she said. “Tony Stewart has more money than I’ll ever see. I guess some things I’ve bought (like the NASCAR Day pins) because the funds go to a worthwhile charity. Others I got as gifts. As for all the stickers, clothing, and stuff – that shows everybody else I support Tony and that I’m a NASCAR racing fan. It’s a great conversation starter, too – if you park next to somebody with another sticker or interact with someone wearing a driver shirt or hat. I admit I’ve bought a ton of Tony stuff for my little godson. I guess it’s something we can bond over. All in all, I just enjoy the stuff. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t buy it.”
So there you have it. Driver merchandise makes fans happy for a multitude of reasons. And, if you can buy happiness and camaraderie for a few bucks on eBay, it’s no wonder the stuff is so popular.
As for me? I admit to purchasing an occasional can (ok…truckload) of SOBE NO FEAR energy drink in support of my driver. And, I’ve shelled out some money on a few items (ok…everything) I’ve seen with Boris Said’s image. But that’s it. No more! Unless of course, they make a Boris Said crock pot. That sucker has my name written all over it.
This Said Head is still waiting for the Boris Said bobble head which would really be cool.