NASCAR fans use internet to connect with other fans

**This story is the second story I wrote for my class in Feature Writing. A huge thank you goes out to the Markaholics who offered their time to talk to me over the phone and via e-mail.**

When people who aren’t familiar with NASCAR are asked what they think about the sport the stereotypes of “redneck” and “hillbilly” are thrown around. Little do these people know that NASCAR fans are quickly taking to 21st century technology to meet other fans and stay in touch with their favorite drivers.

NASCAR is often joked to be a “non-athletic sport centered around rednecks,” mocking the acronym that stands for the second most popular sport in the country. As the country has progressed into new waves of technology, so have sports fans, NASCAR fans included.

No longer is the typical NASCAR fan known as a “redneck”, but rather as a tech-savvy fan that uses the internet to rant about the sport via e-mail to sports writers and chat with other fans during races.

One group of fans has adapted their love of NASCAR into the 21st century by using internet message boards to keep in touch and share their thoughts on the sport with one another. A group of fans who call themselves the Markaholics—fans of 51-year-old NASCAR star Mark Martin—have used message boards for years and have found out what a scintillating tool technology can be.

The Markaholics have been following Mark Martin since his days at Roush Racing in the late 1990s. One current Markaholic that began following the star during his days at Roush Racing is Phil Schmidt from Whitehall, Ark.

Schmidt has visited the Mark Martin museum in Batesville, Ark. (provided)

“I don’t run into Mark Martin fans in everyday dealings. You meet on the forum and it’s common interest,” he said. “So you can actually interact with people who are into the same things you’re into. Plus, it’s a great way to get information too.”

Markaholics share information like when Martin will sign autographs on race weekends, and post Tweets from his public relations representative Kendra Jacobs, who recently joined the forum.

“The best part of being a Markaholic is the connection with other Mark Martin fans,” said J.J. Martin (who is not related to the driver) of Bellefontaine, Ohio. “The Markaholics keep other Markaholics up to date with news of racing and non-racing related information.”

Even non-NASCAR things—like American Idol, a favorite TV show of many board members—are discussed on the message boards. Sue Campbell of Farwell, Mich., said, “We talk to each other watching American Idol, and we critique the people who are on. We’ve been doing that for a decade now.”

But it is more than just talking about TV and current events for some Markaholics. As Laura Alderman of Apopka, Fla., points out, “It’s the family feel of our group. The forum and everything that goes with it is great, but beyond the forum, many of us have become friends—we support each other through good times and through the tough times.”

Mark Martin has driven for four different team owners, with four different numbers and quite a few different paint schemes. This combo of Valvoline on the No. 6 Roush Racing Ford is what Mark Martin will most be remembered for. (NASCAR.com)

The Markaholics have had to move and migrate a few times when Martin left Roush Racing and drove part-time in 2007 and 2008 for Ginn Racing and Dale Earnhardt Inc. Yet through it all the Markaholics have kept it touch and have finally settled down on a website that is independent from the driver or his team, which means they’ll never lose their message boards if Martin decides to retire.

The board is 82 members strong, and just last week a shipment of over 60 t-shirts which proclaim “Proud Markaholic” on the front reached each Markaholic that ordered one.

The front of one of the two Markaholic T-shirts for 2010 (provided)

According to some Markaholics, Mark Martin is the reason for watching NASCAR, and the reason to keep following their friends from message board to message board.

“Mark Martin fans are true fans of racing, not just their driver,” said J.J. Martin. “Other drivers’ fans that I have met are fair-weather based on their driver’s performance week to week. Mark’s fans have endured two retirements, two partial schedules and a return to full-time employment, and through it all, have been in support of their favorite driver.”

One of Martin's retro cars sitting in his museum (provided)

The best part about Mark Martin fans according to Alderman is, “They are Mark Martin fans.” And nothing could be better for this avid group.

Schmidt says without Martin there’d be no reason to watch NASCAR races. He said, “Other than the speed and the excitement of the race itself, the main thing is him. I’ve been fascinated with him and the way he lived his life, his story, more so than any other figure in the sport.”

One of the things that draws people to NASCAR, and its drivers, is their accessibility during race weekends. Schmidt said, “NASCAR is more fan oriented, up close. You have more access to the figures.”

Mark Martin and a team member enjoy time in the garage at Indianapolis Motor Speedway last summer

And with the internet the Markaholics have made that access a feature they won’t ever give up. “We are a passionate bunch of fans we NASCAR people,” said Campbell, chuckling. For years to come the fans of Mark Martin will gather on race days—digitally of course—and talk about NASCAR, Mark Martin and maybe even American Idol.

As for this season, the Markaholics expect nothing less than the best from their driver. “The No. 5 team and Mark will again be contenders for the title,” J.J. Martin said. “Last year, they surprised everyone and this year they won’t be a surprise.” At least not to the Markaholics.

It came as no surprise to the Markaholics that Mark Martin turned the quickest lap on Saturday in pole qualifying for the Daytona 500 (Getty Images)

On Valentine’s Day, the NASCAR Sprint Cup season will begin at Daytona International Speedway, with what some proclaim as the “Super Bowl of NASCAR”, the Daytona 500. Schmidt was lucky enough to ride along in a car at Daytona back in 1998.

“What really surprised me about the experience was how bumpy the track was. It was amazing because you can see them bumping on TV,” he shared. “The other thing was the heat in the car. The heat coming in the cabin of the car was amazing. It was well worth it. I enjoyed it.”

But how much would he and the other Markaholics enjoy seeing their man win the Daytona 500? Well, in 2007 the Markaholics nearly got their wish. Mark Martin and Kevin Harvick dashed to the finish line side by side as a melee ensued behind them.

In the closest Daytona 500 finish to date, Kevin Harvick beat Mark Martin to the finish line by .02 seconds.

“I thought they were going to throw the yellow flag, they were wrecking behind us … That’s just the way things go. I wanted to drive a fast car and they gave me that,” Mark Martin said.

J.J. Martin commented, “After the 2007 Daytona 500, when other drivers would have been crying a river, Mark stood tall and accepted that he didn’t win. We know who really won that race.”

Mark Martin was once known as the most pessimistic driver, but over the past few seasons Martin has enjoyed quite a few more smiles

Mark Martin fans will always show their passion and support for their driver, just as these Markaholics have noted. They’ll watch each race and use their message boards to communicate the good and the bad of each race, but no matter what happens, they’ll always be friends.

Even if the common perception of the NASCAR fan is one that is technophobic rather than tech-savvy, these fans know the truth. They’ll have their internet, their NASCAR and each other for years to come.