We headed just over the NC border to get our Fan of the Week from South Carolina. Every person who sends in to be the FoW has a different story of how they become interested in NASCAR.

He’s also the first person to bring up the Car of Tomorrow in what he’d do if he ran NASCAR for a day.

Name: Jeff Cottom

From: Clover, SC

Age: 30

Occupation: Project Manager

How long have you been following racing: I’ve been following the sport for 18 years

How did you get started: An ex-brother-in-law was a big NASCAR fan and had always been interested in fast cars (what 12-year old boy isn't). He introduced me to NASCAR by watching Dale Earnhardt at the Daytona 500.

From there I became interested in not only NASCAR, but Sprint Cars and Modifieds. By 16, I was helping a friend with his family's local Sprint Car at Williams Grove Speedway in Pennsylvania where I grew up. From then on I was hooked.

Who was your first favorite driver, and why: Dale Earnhardt; that is who my Brother-In-Law followed and I knew no one else, so I stuck with what he did. I didn't know anything about racing at the time, but my brother-in-law taught me everything. From the way Dale used to drive to his demeanor and life outside of racing from what he knew of it. I instantly fell for the bad boy image and the man in black. I wanted to drive like him all the time even on my BMX bike.

Who is your favorite now, and why: I don't have a one favorite because it seems like there are more wrecks now-a-days where it ends the day for drivers then there used to be. So I have a few: Junior (of course right - but that's mainly cause my wife is convinced she'll divorce me for him one day), Carl Edwards, Kyle Petty, and Tony Stewart are others I like to follow.

 What is your favorite driver's best racing moment: This may be dumb – but Junior's spin out the other year at Bristol to bring out a caution. I thought that was absolutely classic and that he admitted doing it on purpose. GREAT!! I laughed about that and I could only imagine the butt whoopin he would have taken from Dad for doing it.

How many races do you attend a year: At least two, but I watch all of them on TV.

Best race you ever saw on TV or in person: 2005 Nextel All Star Race – We got seats in the Cingular suite, got to meet Jeff Burton, drinks were free and food was free. How in the world can you beat that for a race...I don't have to cook, I get waited on and beer was free!...NICE!

What is your favorite track for racing: Darlington because you can see the entire track from anywhere and its old school racing

If your favorite driver came to your town, where would take him and what would you do: First - if any driver came to my home town I would be nervous as heck to make sure he had a good time. I can only imagine that the drivers don't get home cooked meals very often during the season and I also would think if they went anywhere that it would be hard for them not to be noticed - so I would drive them around the town and show them where

I grew up. Then I'd have a cookout at my house...whatever they wanted...hang out, throw some horse shoes, kick back a few drinks, listen to some good music, and chill. I hate talking about work when I'm not at work, I would think they'd think the same. So, I would try to talk about other stuff, like sports, interests, etc.

If you worked at DEI, what would you like to do: I honestly don't know. I would love to race a car of course, but I doubt I'm nearly as good as what you already have. I would like to work in the business end of it, doing something in management or marketing. Since I have background in management and I have good PR skills. Those would be areas I would be interested in. There never seems to be something open in those areas though. Let me know if there is and I'll gladly apply.

If you ran NASCAR for a day, what rule would you change, add or delete: Car of Tomorrow...I really do think that the aerodynamics of the car drives the racing these days. I would like to see that changed back to the actual cars themselves, old style of bring what you have built to the track and the fastest man without an accident wins. Of course that couldn't happen in just one day, but I would love to see it.