Additionally, drivers share their opinions, in most cases, more readily than other athletes. Already this week, Andretti blasted Wally Dallenbach for sparking an accident during one of the Twin 125s. I figured we would at least get to the second turn before somebody did something crazy. Before the season ends, we'll get more of the same from other drivers. When you're taking you life in your hands each week, when a wrong move could put you into a wall and end your season and possibly your life, such emotions make sense.
Fans feed off that emotion and appreciate and respect drivers all the more.
Many of them, like racing fans who follow almost every series, focus on the action in person while listening to scanners tuned into their favorite teams. Again, the action becomes all the more personal that way. All of those things, from competitiveness to marketing, have developed an unparalleled racing series - with the Daytona 500 as the marquis event. Whoever wins or finishes strong gets an important boost at the start of the season. Those who struggle, face an immediate deficit.