INDIANAPOLIS - It could be as simple as a few scribbles on a 3x5 card, or as elaborate as a Sharpie Markered lithograph.

Nonetheless, any way you look at it, it's an autograph. And you being the fan you are will do anything to get it.

But just how far will a fan go for an autograph?

Will you go so far that the signee will no longer satisfy the demand? This was the question I saw answered Thursday in the garage area during qualifications at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for today's running of the Brickyard 400.

Being a NASCAR aficionado myself, I have to say I enjoyed the opportunity to get up close and personal with my favorite drivers - namely Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr.

But what I saw made me sick as a fan. At the same time I began to see things from the other side of the fence, I felt for a moment as if I were in the Intimidator's shoes, only going about 200 mph slower and without the famed shades and mustache.

After watching fans push, shove and elbow each other to inch themselves closer to the seven-time Winston Cup champion, I left knowing why he walks around with a bodyguard and officer at his side.

It's the fans who had to walk up to the garage door, despite being told repeatedly to stay behind the ropes, that forced the driver of the No. 3 black Chevy Monte Carlo to stay in his garage, only to acknowledge fans with a wave every 15 minutes or so.

It's those few fans who ruin it for everybody, who give fans a bad name.

And the sad thing is the fans don't see it. They say things like, "Come on out, you too good to sign an autograph or two?"

When was the last time you enjoyed having someone constantly breathing down your neck while you were working? Oh, but wait, you say, fans make those guys who they are. Clearly these people are not fans.

And to Dale Earnhardt's credit, he did sign autographs. And so did Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon, both of whom never really had fewer than 25 fans dangling from each arm.

Gordon even went as far as asking three yellow-shirted IMS safety/security team members to give him some room so he could spend some time with his fans.

But of course these rude give-me-an-autograph-or-else fans don't see that. They don't see the way some drivers go out of their way to promote the sport and give it a good name. They only see what they want to see.

Yes, it's fun to go home with an autographed picture of your favorite driver. I couldn't agree more. But going about it in the wrong way will get you nowhere.

It was my experience Thursday that the fans who made a nice comment, said "good luck," made off with an autograph.

I was able to hang out with Dale Earnhardt Jr. for a few moments, away from the noise and confusion of this 2.5-mile oval gone circus big top. He smiled, had nice things to say to the media and joked around with other drivers. He acted like the 25-year-old rookie he is. And of course he was ecstatic when he saw he qualified ahead of his father/car owner.

And then there he was walking off into the Speedway sunset. Gone was the smile, just as his dad's mustache was a year ago, only to be replaced with 25 hands on each side, markers and pens of all colors.

Kyle Petty, still grieving over the death of 19-year-old son Adam, signed autographs. Obviously not enough for fans of this now highly popular sport. Because despite what he's gone through, he too got the "Hey, you too good sign my picture?"

Getting that hard-to-find autograph will always draw fans to the world of stock car racing. I'd advise people to get those autographs now. It won't be long before every driver in the pits has a bodyguard at their side every waking moment.

But then again, who are we kidding? Fans still won't understand why their favorite driver walks around expressionless, only looking straight ahead and not saying a word. [[In-content Ad]]