Dear Robby,

I regret to inform you that as of lately, you are no longer the #2 guy in my little world. Oh, don't worry, you're still my favorite racer. I still watch you every Sunday, either cheering like crazy or silently shaking my head. We'll always have Sundays. And any other day you strap on a helmet and go for the win.

I've been swept off my feet for someone new. See, I'm a sucker for a fan friendly semi-famous celebrity. I tend to get interested in a person and then once I figure out how they operate, I fall hard and fast if they back up their image. That's just the way I am I guess.

Oh I remember the good old days. Fan clubs and message board posts. Multiple days of trailer signings. But the nature of the beast is that things change and you are a busy guy. I get that and totally respect it.

But then I stumbled into a different world. NASCAR drivers USED to have the fan friendly crown, but that's slowly, quietly been passed. In this world, at every concert-even if Mr. Fan Friendly has three concerts a week-16 lucky fan club members are given the chance to meet and hang out backstage. And this isn't a barely glance at you super quick 15 second signing. Signing, pictures, group q&a, hugs even. I used to think it was a my guy only perk, but no, it's pretty standard for some artists.

We also get a regularly updated blog, a message board that is fan club member access only, a once a year fan club party. Our fan club online community reminds me a little of the NOL board in the good ol' days-supportive of each other most of the time, a few wackos some of the time, a focus on promoting our "person", and the occasional knock down drag out brawl. I feel at home!

I realize you are super busy now and trying to do this whole owner driver thang. I totally, completely, 100% get that and I'm proud of you for that. But I miss the days when I felt like I counted for something 'round here, not just a dollar sign in Jim Beam and souvenir trailer sales. And I miss the days when NASCAR wasn't just about the bottom dollar. Or maybe it just seemed like they weren't. Anyway.

Respectfully, and as always,
MO