Driving for Ford

In May of 2011, I graduated from college. Like most college grads, I moved home to try and get settled into my life as an adult. And like most college grads, finding employment proved to be very difficult. Everyone wanted experience, but no one was willing to take a chance to hire me to give me that experience.

That was the summer I found NASCAR and, ultimately, Brad.

When you get into a funk, you’re not exactly sure of where to go or what to do. I do a lot of story writing in my free time, but I also like to paint and do crafts, mostly things I use to decorate my room. That summer, I spent every ounce of my time unemployed learning about NASCAR and its drivers. When Brad won at Kansas, he certainly was put on my radar. I was impressed that such a young guy could make a big statement with a fuel mileage win.

Having someone like Brad to look up to, someone who doesn’t falter when faced with adversity, that’s what kept me going when I felt like there was no hope.

It wasn’t truly until later that year, when Brad broke his ankle and tweeted the picture out to the world, that I called myself a fan.

Throwing myself into what my mother calls a “possession” was probably what kept me from losing it completely. I started painting small signs — whether NASCAR or just Brad-related — and collecting other things like hero cards or trading cards. I happen to have several good friends through Twitter who have collaborated to help me with my collection.

When I did find employment, that wasn’t the end of my love of NASCAR. Brad’s hot streak in 2011 showed everyone that he was a force to be reckoned with. A friend of mine and I began competing to see who could get the most “Brad tweets.” This was, of course, back when he only had 30,000 or so followers on Twitter.

Since then, this “possession” has helped me to find myself. Being able to talk directly to my driver, whether he talks back or not, really just makes the sport that much better as a whole.

When Brad did his Twitter truck, I hoped so much I would get on it — and I did! Then he wanted to sell the pieces for his charity. Of course, I wanted mine. Since then, I have started to accumulate things: hero cards, 2 license plates, t-shirts, banners. I even won a socket from Colin Fambrough (crew member on the 2), and he threw in a couple of used lugnuts and a Victory Lane hat from Chicago last year.

(That was just the beginning of Brad’s ultimate chase run to win the Sprint Cup.)

Fans don’t get to experience this sort of thing in other sports. They definitely don’t get to win cool one-of-a-kind items. Becoming a NASCAR fan saved me when I was in a very dark place. Having someone like Brad to look up to, someone who doesn’t falter when faced with adversity, that’s what kept me going when I felt like there was no hope.

Now, he’s a champion.

And I couldn’t be more proud to say that I’m a fan of his for life. I’m already planning my next painting so when I get to meet him again, I can get it signed!