We have long said we have the best fans in motorsports at Pocono Raceway and we will occasionally utilize this space to share their stories in our Fan Spotlight.
NAME: Chad F.
HOMETOWN: Bethlehem, Pa.
FAMILY, KIDS & PETS: I have two brothers and three sisters.
FAVORITE DRIVER: My favorite Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Driver is Brad Keselowski. I have many different favorites in the Verizon IndyCar Series but this year I will be pulling hard for “The Mad Russian” Mikhail Aleshin.
FUNNIEST TRACK STORY: I would say the funniest track story happened this past racing season. My dad, brother, and I were cooking out on race day for the INDYCAR race. The whole time, we knew the weather was coming but it didn`t stop us from grilling. Through the rain we sat there eating our brats and burgers. The race was then postponed to the next day and we were able to get a second grill day in. So I guess that was the positive with the rain!
MOST MEMORABLE TRACK STORY: The 2013 test on the Thursday before race weekend. At the time it was four years since we last saw an INDYCAR event. This event also marked the first time we attended Pocono Raceway. I`ll never forget walking up to the grandstands for the first time and looking down seeing the cars fly by. The sights, the sounds, and the smells of INDYCAR were finally back!
HOW MANY RACES HAVE YOU BEEN TO: I have been attending races since I was 5 years old and I`m 24 now so I have lost track a bit. Since 2013, when I attended my first INDYCAR race at Pocono Raceway, I have attended 18 races which include the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, ARCA, Indy Lights, Verizon IndyCar Series, Camping World Truck Series, and NASCAR Xfinity Series.
FAVORITE PART OF POCONO RACEWAY: My favorite part of Pocono Raceway is the challenge the drivers face and the speed. The three turns wreak havoc on the cars setup and its enjoyable watching the drivers wrestle the cars around three completely different corners. The speed of Pocono Raceway is indescribable. Sitting all the way down to the end of grandstands towards turn 1, seeing a Cup car roaring by at 210 or an INDYCAR at 230 is just astonishing.
WHEN/HOW/WHY DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN RACING: I was born on February 5, 1993. I was only a few weeks old and my dad told me I sat and watched the entire Daytona 500. The first time I experienced it in person was in 1997. I don`t remember much but I was told that I stood right along the railing at Nazareth Speedway and just stared at each CART/Champ car flying by me. Now, years’ later racing is my passion. There isn`t a day that goes by that I don`t think about auto racing. There`s nothing in this world like sitting at a race track witnessing the speed, smelling the fuel, hearing the sound, and seeing the drivers put their race cars on the edge.
ADVICE FOR POCONO RACEWAY FANS: Don`t be afraid to move around the grandstand. If you sit towards turn 3 you witness the drivers and cars fight for grip and then accelerating hard down the front straightaway. My personal favorite seats are between the start finish line and the end of pit road up top. Here you can see the entire race track and witness all the passes down the front straightaway and into turn 1. Once you see a pack of Indy cars go four-wide down the front straightaway at 230 mph and then turn down into turn 1 at full speed you`ll thank me.
FIRST JOB/FIRST CAR: My first job was and is coaching baseball at the Lehigh Valley Baseball Academy. I am currently a graduate student finishing up my teaching credits so I can become a high school Social Studies teacher. My first car was a 1998 black Chevrolet Malibu. I put NASCAR stickers all over him and named him Dale. I use to jump in and out of that car through the window.
WHAT DRIVER WOULD YOU LIKE TO MEET AND WHY: I would love to be able to meet Brad Keselowski. I have been fortunate enough to grab an autograph from him but never actually talk to him. I would love to be able to discuss the series with him and also discuss his thoughts on the sport.
Jerry Vernold |
My link shows “Chad” instead of Kris Karcher.
I’m the one that sent the info for Kris who had died.
He was one of the first people featured in your Fan Spotlight.
It’s bittersweet that you made this mistake.