Concord, N.C. resident Philip Goodman is like many other Hardcore Race Fans throughout this great nation. A race fan for all of his life, Goodman grew up loving the sport of NASCAR and continues to follow the sport with a passion.

Goodman explained he got into racing around 1990 or 1991 mostly because of his parents. “My dad and my mom, they were both die-hard fans, Dale Earnhardt fans, so I became an Earnhardt fan. I’m a Junior fan, but I pull for David Ragan because I know him personally.”

Growing up in the heart of Race Country U.S.A., Goodman had the opportunity to go to high school with Sprint Cup Series driver David Ragan.

“In my senior year I was in his English class,” Goodman said of Ragan. “He was just starting ARCA racing. We used to go back and forth about racing and I knew he moved here because he wanted to get into racing, but it has blown my mind how far his career has gone. I’ve been supporting him ever since.

“Every time he has an autograph session, I’m there, he still knows who I am,” Goodman added. “I’ve got like five pieces of his sheet metal. I just got a piece of sheet metal from his Talladega win, so that’s definitely at the top of my list in terms of memorabilia.”

The 23-year-old Hardcore Race Fan goes to every race held at Lowe’s Motor Speedway, but has also been to NASCAR events in Atlanta, North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, Richmond and “a few others.”

When he goes to the races, Goodman explained he spends most of the race watching through his camera.

“I’m aspiring to be a NASCAR photographer someday,” Goodman said. “When I go to races I have my Canon Rebel XTi digital SLR camera with my 500mm lens.  I have to have the biggest camera lens in the stands. Getting good pictures at a race makes my experience a million times better.  It seems like I watch about 50% of the race through my lens.  When choosing where I want to sit for a race, I always think about where would be a good spot to get some good pictures.”

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