NASCAR legend visits Valley

WASILLA -- Longtime NASCAR legend Joe Nemechek visited the Valley this week, promoting his Busch NASCAR series sponsor Cellular One's grand opening in Wasilla. Nemechek visited with fans, signed autographs and displayed his No. 87 Monte Carlo at a reception Tuesday night. This was Nemechek's second time to visit Alaska, and his first visit to the Valley.

"I want to come back and do some of those Alaska things like fishing," said Nemechek, who has been racing since he was 13 years old. As a snowmachine crossed Lake Lucille later that evening, Nemechek's true motor colors shined.

"I love snowmobiling, I

love anything that's got a motor on it."

Nemechek started racing motocross in his teens, and then switched to stockcars in 1886. He took the championship at the Southeastern Mini Stock Series in 1987, the U.S.A.R. Series in 1988 and the All Pro Series in 1989. He was the Busch Series Rookie of the Year in 1990, won the Busch Series Championship in 1992, and received most popular driver awards in 1992 and 1993. He races both Busch Series and Winston Cup Series; Cellular One has been his Busch Series sponsor for the last three years.

"It's an awesome way to help promote products," Nemechek said. "I love my job."

Of course, when asked what his favorite part of his job is, Nemechek replied "driving."

Nemechek said he has been amazed at how many fans there are in Alaska. While some think of stock car racing as a southern sport, he said, his travels with Cellular One have proven there are race fans all through the Midwest, Northeast, and of course, in Alaska.

"There are so many race fans," he said. "It's incredible."

One such fan is 9-year-old Seth Keller. He researched Nemechek online when

he found out the racer was coming to his hometown, and brought a North

Star Speedway shirt to give to Nemechek.

"I really like NASCAR and this was a great opportunity," said Keller when asked why he wanted to meet Nemechek.

While Nemechek said he doubts he will get a chance to snowmachine during his four-day stay in Alaska, he is planning to go on a dog sled ride with one of the local Cellular One employees. As for his hopes to come back to Alaska to fish and enjoy what Alaska has to offer, race fans everywhere are wondering: Will you come to the Valley and race?

"Oh I don't know," Nemechek said. "But anything could be possible."