Aug. 12, 2010
BOOK REVIEW: 'The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable Fans'
By Andrew Giangola
Reviewed By Cathy Elliott
Andrew Giangola sleeps with NASCAR fans. If you don't believe it, just ask him.
Or better yet, pick up a copy of Giangola's debut book, "The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable NASCAR Fans" (Motorbooks, $25) and read all about it.
Giangola, the director of business communications for NASCAR, had long appreciated the sport on paper without fully understanding the almost visceral appeal it holds for its millions of dedicated followers. When he made the decision to get down in the infield trenches and experience it for himself, literally seeing his business through the eyes of its intensely loyal customers, the bottom line metamorphosed into his personal party line. Simply put, he got it. He understood.
NASCAR can be categorized into a few fan basic levels. It's a little like home buying. First comes admiration for the aesthetics; fans generally become interested in NASCAR by watching races on television. It's fast-moving, easy to follow, and pretty to look at.
Next comes the walk-through with an expert; someone persuades them to attend a race in person. They see the sweeping view from the grandstands, feel the vibration as the cars blister past, hear the engines roar, and remember how good a hot dog tastes when eaten outside. They're hooked.
Then, they move in. And they never leave.
Giangola tracked down a considerable number of these fans, from all walks of life and every corner of the country. They shared their RV accommodations and their a la carte racetrack meals with him, and they also shared their stories. In "The Weekend Starts on Wednesday," he in turn shares those stories with us.
There are true devotees such as Jack Hoenstine, who like that kid that graduates from high school without ever missing a day, has driven all the way to Darlington, S.C. to attend NASCAR races for 59 consecutive years.
There are extreme thrill seekers like Dr. Patrick Hickey, who braved frostbite to have his photo taken at the top of the world -- the summit of Mt. Everest -- posing with a NASCAR flag.
There are American heroes, including astronaut Doug Hurley, who watched a race on his laptop computer from outer space, and Cpl. John Hyland, who lost a leg to a bomb attack in Irag, but found a strong supporter in NASCAR championship team owner Rick Hendrick.
There are fashionistas, from Barbie Robbins, who once donned a nurse's outfit to psychically nurse Dale Earnhardt, Jr., through a serious wreck from afar, to Chris MacNicol, whose race day apparel of choice consists of little more than an old race tire hanging from a pair of suspenders.
There are celebrities, from boisterous chefs Mario Batali and Rachael Ray and movie stars Tom Cruise and Kevin Costner to highly respected television journalists Brian Williams and Peter Jennings.
There are tears, and there is laughter. There is inspiration ... and there is pruneshine.
Of particular interest is Giangola's style of retelling other people's tales. To read his words is much like having a conversation with a man who, while discussing something he already knows a great deal about, finds himself surprised and delighted at how much it can still teach him.
At some point during the process of getting inside the heads, hearts and lives of NASCAR fans, Andrew Giangola became one. Chances are very good that readers will experience the very same thing.
Cathy Elliott, the former director of public relations for Darlington Raceway, is a syndicated columnist for NASCAR and author of the book "Chicken Soup for the Soul: NASCAR." Contact her at cathyelliott@hotmail.com.
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BOOK REVIEW: 'The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable Fans'
By Andrew Giangola
Reviewed By Cathy Elliott
Andrew Giangola sleeps with NASCAR fans. If you don't believe it, just ask him.
Or better yet, pick up a copy of Giangola's debut book, "The Weekend Starts on Wednesday: True Stories of Remarkable NASCAR Fans" (Motorbooks, $25) and read all about it.
Giangola, the director of business communications for NASCAR, had long appreciated the sport on paper without fully understanding the almost visceral appeal it holds for its millions of dedicated followers. When he made the decision to get down in the infield trenches and experience it for himself, literally seeing his business through the eyes of its intensely loyal customers, the bottom line metamorphosed into his personal party line. Simply put, he got it. He understood.
NASCAR can be categorized into a few fan basic levels. It's a little like home buying. First comes admiration for the aesthetics; fans generally become interested in NASCAR by watching races on television. It's fast-moving, easy to follow, and pretty to look at.
Next comes the walk-through with an expert; someone persuades them to attend a race in person. They see the sweeping view from the grandstands, feel the vibration as the cars blister past, hear the engines roar, and remember how good a hot dog tastes when eaten outside. They're hooked.
Then, they move in. And they never leave.
Giangola tracked down a considerable number of these fans, from all walks of life and every corner of the country. They shared their RV accommodations and their a la carte racetrack meals with him, and they also shared their stories. In "The Weekend Starts on Wednesday," he in turn shares those stories with us.
There are true devotees such as Jack Hoenstine, who like that kid that graduates from high school without ever missing a day, has driven all the way to Darlington, S.C. to attend NASCAR races for 59 consecutive years.
There are extreme thrill seekers like Dr. Patrick Hickey, who braved frostbite to have his photo taken at the top of the world -- the summit of Mt. Everest -- posing with a NASCAR flag.
There are American heroes, including astronaut Doug Hurley, who watched a race on his laptop computer from outer space, and Cpl. John Hyland, who lost a leg to a bomb attack in Irag, but found a strong supporter in NASCAR championship team owner Rick Hendrick.
There are fashionistas, from Barbie Robbins, who once donned a nurse's outfit to psychically nurse Dale Earnhardt, Jr., through a serious wreck from afar, to Chris MacNicol, whose race day apparel of choice consists of little more than an old race tire hanging from a pair of suspenders.
There are celebrities, from boisterous chefs Mario Batali and Rachael Ray and movie stars Tom Cruise and Kevin Costner to highly respected television journalists Brian Williams and Peter Jennings.
There are tears, and there is laughter. There is inspiration ... and there is pruneshine.
Of particular interest is Giangola's style of retelling other people's tales. To read his words is much like having a conversation with a man who, while discussing something he already knows a great deal about, finds himself surprised and delighted at how much it can still teach him.
At some point during the process of getting inside the heads, hearts and lives of NASCAR fans, Andrew Giangola became one. Chances are very good that readers will experience the very same thing.
Cathy Elliott, the former director of public relations for Darlington Raceway, is a syndicated columnist for NASCAR and author of the book "Chicken Soup for the Soul: NASCAR." Contact her at cathyelliott@hotmail.com.
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