Five Tips on How to Meet NASCAR Drivers

If you are a new fan of NASCAR, or even a long-time fan who hasn't been able to attend a race yet, you might want to learn how to meet some of your favorite drivers when you get to your first race. Attending the Indiana 250 and the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway this year, I picked up a few tricks that I would like to share with you.

1. Follow @DriverAppear (Dana Horne) on Twitter. This is how I knew about Joey Logano's autograph session and was able to meet him. She will tweet links that direct to her website where she will tell you where the drivers will be and when they will be there. You can even sign up to be on her mailing list (for free)! If you sign up, you will receive an email every Thursday morning that will give you a detailed list of the drivers' appearances and autograph sessions. And if that isn't enough, you can also simply send her a tweet and ask her if your favorite driver has an autograph session scheduled for the weekend of the race you're attending.
   
   This is an email I recently received from @DriverAppear because I am signed up for her mailing list!
2. "Like" your favorite driver on Facebook and/or follow them on Twitter. Often times, the drivers (or their PR Representatives) will let fans know where and when you can meet them.
3. I'd be surprised if your favorite driver doesn't have a Facebook page or Twitter account, but if they don't, they probably have a website. Be sure to bookmark it because you should be able to find a list of appearances there.
4. Visit their merchandise trailers. I learned about Joey Logano's autograph session because of  @DriverAppear, but there was also a sign about it at Joey's trailer.
5. When all else fails, wait by the garage area. Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait for as long as you are willing to wait. I waited for four hours to meet Brad Keselowski at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (I know, I may be a little bit too dedicated, but it was well worth it.) Brad wasn't the only one wandering around. I saw Kyle Busch, Jamie McMurray, Dale Earnhardt, Jr., and Carl Edwards. Be patient, and wait. You never know who you might see!
    
   Carl Edwards walking over to sign autographs for fans.
   
   
   Keep in mind that so far I have only been to one NASCAR event, so there may be more tips/secrets out there.
   Have you met a lot of NASCAR drivers? Do you have any tips? Share your words of wisdom for other fans!