Off in the corner of the Retail Store, we found Jerry Coffey looking through some prints of Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jr. and Michael Waltrip’s winning moments. Wearing a Budweiser hat, we asked if he’d like to be our Fan of the Week and he answered with a big smile that didn’t stop the entire time we talked with him.
Name: Jerry Coffey
Age: I’m 23, just had a birthday last week.
From: I live in Clinton, Mich., but I’m from Ann Arbor
Occupation: I change tires and batteries on cars at Sam’s Mart in Clinton.
What brings you to DEI today: My fiancé, Samantha, and I came down to visit my dad, who lives in the area, for seven days. I’ve never been here and really wanted to visit DEI for awhile. This was something we had to do while we were here in the area.
And, what did you think of our headquarters: It’s just everything about Dale and Teresa Earnhardt. Just knowing that they built this is awesome. The minute I got here I jumped out of the car and took a picture I was so excited. I just love everything about Dale and Dale Jr. and the racing.
What was your favorite part: The No. 3 Chevrolet right in front when you walk in; that was awesome to be that close.
How did you get interested in racing: My dad is a big Bill Elliott fan and I started to watch races with him about eight years ago. I became a Dale Earnhardt fan right off the bat.
What drew you to following Dale: Just the way he drove. The way he would move people out of the way, take the lead and do it without help from anyone else. He would just go out there and win the race on his own.
What’s your favorite Dale moment: When he won the Daytona 500 in 1998.
Now you follow Dale Jr; what caused that to happen: Because of his father, first, but he’s also a great driver and I like what he does on the track. Like Talladega this past weekend when he went from 11th to first in those final laps; that was incredible. He went high, then low and high again to take the lead all on his own.
Favorite Dale Jr. moment: Probably when Dale, Dale Jr. and Kerry all raced together at Michigan Speedway that year. That was probably one of my favorite moments; to see all of them together.
How many races do you get to a year: I get to about two each year. I went to Charlotte a few years ago and have been to Michigan. I go to all of the qualifying sessions at Michigan every year.
If you don’t go to the track, how do you usually watch the races: At home with my brother sipping some Budweisers. (Laughs) We’re both big fans.
If you could work at DEI, what would you like to do: I’d rather work in the pits changing tires on the race car. That would be really cool.
Say Dale Jr. comes up to visit for a day, where would you take him: Well, I’d have to get my brother involved. We’d go have a few, sit and talk and hang out. I don’t know how interested Dale Jr. is in fishing, but I would really like to take him to a few of my favorite fishing spots in Michigan.
Let’s say you’re named president of NASCAR for a day; what rule would you change, add or delete: I would give Dale Jr. his 25 points back and increase his fine. The points in the Chase are worth more than in the first 26 races.
