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This week, we headed to the Empire State and found someone who, obviously, didn’t mind “bearing” her passion for racing. The only question we didn’t ask is, “Do they get to watch the races with you, Helene? They’re dressed up and all…”

Name: Helene Allen

From: Highland, New York

Age: 45

Occupation: Administrative Assistant

How long have you been following racing: Seriously and passionately for about seven years now; and now I can't get enough racing. I am very passionate about this sport.

How did you get started: Growing up we always watched the Daytona 500 and knew and heard about Dale Earnhardt. Then my husband I started watching seriously around 1999, or so. We followed Dale Sr. and watched Jr. in the Busch series and NOW I can't get enough of it - we follow Dale Jr. in everything he does and the entire DEI team in Busch and Cup.  I read the DEI website daily to see what is going on.

Who was your first favorite driver, and why: Dale Earnhardt - he was passionate about racing, he knew his goals and what he wanted, and had to do, out there.

Who is your favorite now, and why: Dale Jr. - I like the driver he is, the type of person he is and the honesty about him. Not, bad to look at either!

What is your favorite driver's best racing moment:  Has to be when Dale Sr. won the Daytona 500. I cried like a baby when he was coming to one to go. Everyone that knows us called our house congratulating us like we were part of his family - it was so funny . I was so happy for him.

How many races do you attend a year:   We usually get to two or three of them.

Best race you ever saw on TV or in person:  It’s a toss up on that one. It has to be either when Dale Jr. won the Daytona 500 or we went to our first Daytona 500 in 2005.  That was exciting, especially when no one thought Jr. was going to do anything with that race and then he took the lead towards the end - just exciting - too bad he didn't win, but it was exciting!

What is your favorite track for racing:  Lowe’s Motor Speedway

If your favorite driver came to your town, where would take him and what would you do:   I would just have a huge cookout with our family and friends at our house around our pool and just hang out. I think he would enjoy just hanging out.

If you worked at DEI, what would you like to do: I'd love to be an Administrative Assistant doing what I'm doing now - handling the travel arrangements etc. for the teams.

If you ran NASCAR for a day, what rule would you change, add or delete:

Change the Impound rules so they can work on their cars after qualifying.