Sporting a yellow shirt, No. 15 NAPA hat and having his picture taken in front of the team’s pit cart in Homestead kind of tipped us off that this week’s fan is a Michael Waltrip fan. And, we were right.
Name: Dean Archey
From: Bonita Springs, Fla.
Age: 37
Occupation: Technical Support for Comcast
How long have you been following racing: It all started when I was a kid about 15 years ago. I started watching races on TV, I love cars and it’s just an awesome sport I love.
Who was the first driver you started to follow: The first was Richard Petty because he was just so cool. When Richard retired in 1992, I started looking around for another driver to follow. My sister is a big Dale Earnhardt fan so I kind of jumped on the bandwagon with her.
When Michael Waltrip got the ride with DEI in 2001, I started to follow him.
What is it about Michael that makes you follow him: I just like his attitude, how he’s always so upbeat on the shows he’s on and I think he’s a great driver.
You favorite Michael Waltrip moment: When he popped out of the roof hatch after winning Talladega last year. That was just typical of him to do something like that because it was so different.
How many races do you get to a year: Actually, Homestead is the only race I get to each year and this is my second year-in-a-row coming here.
How do you watch races when you’re not at the track: I watch them at my house.
If you could work at DEI, what would you like to do: Man, I’d do anything. Sweep the floors, change tires – I don’t care. It would just be awesome to work there, really.
Of all the commercials we have out right now, which one is your favorite: I like the NAPA one where Michael and Dale Jr. are in the back of the car. Dale is playing the guitar and Michael is holding up the lighter; that’s pretty funny.
What’s your favorite part of this website: I like the opening where the pictures of Dale, Dale Jr. and Michael slide across the screen. That’s really cool how that’s done. Inside the site I like the driver bio and the Photo Galleries.
