January 3rd, 2010 
T.C. It seems that everywhere you go in Mooresville, or really the entire Charlotte area for that matter, you always seem to run into somebody who works in racing. Those of you who read this blog that live in and around Charlotte will know what I’m talking about. And maybe it is something that shouldn’t surprise me with as big of a community as NASCAR is and how concentrated the area is with racing people, but it always does.
I was out with my significant other recently, and as we walked into the restaurant for a nice dinner, I spotted a very well known Cup Series crew chief. He was out with his family and blending in quite nicely. Shockingly enough , he wasn’t decked out head to toe in his race gear (we do have normal clothes too), so I doubt anybody even recognized who he was. I wonder though, if certain folks were out and about in other cities if they would be recognized.
After thinking about this, and wondering about these guys being recognized, I’ve come to believe there are probably two types of people in Charlotte. There are those who are into racing, recognize people, but leave them alone and let them be normal people. And the rest aren’t into racing and are clueless to those around them. I guess maybe there is a third group who do approach these guys, but I’m guessing it’s small.
In Mooresville specifically, it seems that you run into or see somebody all the time. From seeing NASCAR officials in the Target store, to filling up at the gas station next to a driver, or running into another crew buddy at a bar. Even when we are away from the track, we can’t stay away from one another!
I would imagine that being in certain places in Los Angeles would warrant similar sightings for actors, as would hanging out in Nashville for country singers. If you want to be in or around NASCAR, Charlotte is the center of the Universe.
So if you don’t live here, and happen to make it once to attend a race or visit some shops, here is some advice. When you are out and about, keep your eyes peeled, because you never know who you might see or run into! Just remember to be respectful.
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Very true!! Been to Mooresville a lot as a family friend is a crew chief for a cup team, as a person who’s been out to dinner with them I’ll testify to people having no clue who they are sitting next to. I’ll also testify to team members running into other team members while out and about. Another, none racing fan, moved to Mooresville because of the lake and they run into people too. Of course they don’t know who they are running into until later (and now they are starting to become race fans). Always interesting! And fun!
It’s so easy to overlook people when they’re out of context. I was in Mooresville last spring having lunch at a restaurant known for attracting drivers and crew guys. I had to take three looks at this guy in a Miller Lite shirt having a salad, before realizing it really was Kurt Busch. We just let him have his lunch in peace.
Apparently it’s a badge of honor to say that Dale Jr. graced your estasblishment and if he’s been to some of the places he’s been credited with, dude’s slummin’ it. (Not that I, Ross, would actually patronize such places. It’s all…ahem…. hearsay.)
My family and I have visited Mooresville many times in the last ten years. We have fallen in love with Lake Norman and plan to retire there. We frequented many restaurants where we have run into drivers, crew, etc. We made it a point not to bother them and their family while they were eating. If we made eye contact with them we would smile and acknowledge them continuing with our meal. They appreciated the space we gave them and upon their departure THEY would stop by and say hello. That is one of the major reasons we chose to retire to Mooresville. NASCAR people are class acts!
Licker just reminded me that common civilians can also be pestered while eating in Mooresville.
We were enjoying a nice lunch on the shore of Lake Norman only to be hounded by an out of town start-up truck team’s marketing manager scrounging for sponsor dollars. And to top it off, we had to sit through an awkward introduction to the driver & make small talk about their big-time plans.
Must be all that bling Licker wears…