How NASCAR drivers spend their offseason

The NASCAR schedule is a busy one, but racecar drivers can continue to stay busy during the offseason.

In my early racing career, I liked to work on building racecars when the season ended and we weren’t racing (I’m still working and building racecars!). The off-season meant more time at the race shop.

When I got into the NASCAR Cup Series, the off-season changed. As a driver, we didn’t go to the shop and build cars. We did take some time off and spend it with the family.

In my off-seasons, we would head to Florida and spend time with family and maybe spend time at the beach. Later, during the bobsled days, we’d head west when we could and watch them race. We’d try to go skiing as a family.

During the off-season, a sponsor may use some of your time to help film commercials for the season ahead. You may also try to catch up on autograph requests, but those are constant year-round (even today)!

You have to have help, with an assistant, secretary, or whomever, who can line up the memorabilia to be signed.

When I became an owner/driver, my off-time was back at the shop. As a team owner, you have to stay around, keep things going in the right direction, and plan for the next season. There was certainly more off-time as a driver.

Of course, when you’re racing during the season, there is a lot of time spent on the road, there’s sponsor obligations, media and fan appearances, besides the racing itself.

When you are racing full-time, your life is pretty much controlled by the sport and the sponsors. It’s a busy lifestyle.

Autographs

Today, I still get autograph requests in the mail, whether it be old racing memorabilia or the new book I wrote, “All of It,” or anything in between.

I joke that maybe fans don’t realize I’m not racing anymore. But, of course, I am happy to sign fans’ autograph requests.

It’s been a tremendous amount of fun. You can order my book at the Team Bodine website and I’ll autograph it, or if you bought it from another retailer, send it to 812 Whimsical Lane Malabar, FL 32950; ATTN: Autograph Request.

Ask Me Anything

Later this week, I will be taking your questions for an “Ask Me Anything” segment on the social media platform Reddit.

Please send off your questions on the NASCAR Subreddit, I’ll be sure to get to as many of them as I can!

I hope the race fans ask some tough questions, I like tough ones! 

This is going to be a great opportunity, and I’m sure I’ll get some interesting and great questions. Ask me anything you want.