For this edition, we headed down the coast line here to Florida. In the three years of doing this feature, this is the very first answer we’ve had like this for the “how did you become interested in racing” question.

And, who can resist a photo taken with a Dale Earnhardt statue.

Name:  Christie Patterson

From:  Jacksonville, Fla.

Age:  25

Occupation:  I work for Wachovia Bank, in the Trust Real Estate Dept.

How long have you been following racing:  I’ve been following racing for about 15 years.

How did you get started:  I started watching just to bug my Uncle Edward.  He was a No. 24 fan and I started watching and liking Dale Sr just to bug him.  Of course, I made the better decision. 

Who was your first favorite driver, and why:  Dale Earnhardt, Sr.  He was a great driver and also a great person off the track, too.

Who is your favorite now, and why: Dale Earnhardt, Jr.  He also is a great driver and seems to be a very down-to-earth guy.

What is your favorite driver’s best racing moment:  When Dale finally won the Daytona 500 in 1998.

How many races do you attend a year:  I haven’t been to a race yet.  I do plan on attending the Pepsi 400 in 2007.

Best race you ever saw on TV or in person: It would have to be a tie between when Dale Sr won the Daytona 500 and when Dale Jr won the Daytona 500.

What is your favorite track for racing:  Of course, Daytona.  I also like Talladega and Richmond. 

If your favorite driver came to your town, where would take him and what would you do: I would take Dale Jr. to Wild Adventures. 

If you worked at DEI, what would you like to do:  I think it would be fun to work either in the gift shop or in the offices.  Gift shop cause I would get to meet people from all over that are DEI fans.  The office just cause you would get to see what all goes on that no one sees.

If you ran NASCAR for a day, what rule would you change, add or delete:  Probably ending a race under caution.  You shouldn’t have the race finish that way.