Photo courtesy of Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway president Doug Fritz is one of many NASCAR figures who contributed stories to the new “Chicken Soup for the Soul” release.

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  At the end of February the latest edition in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book series hit the store shelves. And while another release in the franchise normally holds little interest among local sports fans, this particular edition has close connections with Richmond.

  “Chicken Soup for the Soul: NASCAR-101 Stories of Family, Fortitude and Fast Cars” not only includes several stories that involve Richmond International Raceway, but the book also contains one written by RIR track president Doug Fritz.

  “They just asked me if I had a story to write that might make the book,” Fritz said.

  However, his greatest challenge was not coming up with a story for the book but instead narrowing down the possibilities. “Being in this business for 20 years now, I probably had 100 stories to think through before I finally came up with the one that’s in the book,” Fritz said. 

  Over the course of his career in NASCAR, Fritz has met two U.S. Presidents; George Bush Sr. and Bill Clinton, top political figures; Donald Rumsfeld and Sarah Palin, as well as celebrities such as John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Jay Leno and Tom Cruise, but there was a moment with someone else that in some ways surpassed those encounters and inspired his story for the book.

  “A Moment with a Legend,” relates how Fritz’s philosophy on NASCAR was influenced by a very brief meeting with the sport’s founder Bill France Sr. France relayed to Fritz his belief that NASCAR is about family. Since that time Fritz has tried to keep that message in mind with every aspect of racing at RIR.

  “Walking through the parking lots and chatting with the fans under the grandstands and in the grandstands, so many people make this a family event,” Fritz said. “It’s really contusive for a great atmosphere of family gatherings and we try to compliment that with the atmosphere we provide them.”

  Likewise, Fritz’s philosophy on family carries over to the entire staff at RIR. “As we plan changes and plan things we want to do we really want to keep the family in mind, and the kids, they’re the future of our sport and the future of our guests down the road when they’re grown and they make decisions on where they want to spend their time and money. When they have children, hopefully they’ll want to bring them out as well.”

  As such, Fritz’ story, which is featured prominently on page 15, melds perfectly with the family theme that is prevalent throughout this “Chicken Soup for the Soul”.

  Whether it is Ryan Neumann relating how his father taught him to find his marks by telling the then 4½ year old to literally hit his foot on the Quarter Midget track or Jimmy Johnson talking about lessons learned from his father while racing bikes at an early age, the family theme resounds.

  And while several of the short stories throughout the book involve regional tracks at Bristol and Martinsville, one of the most moving was inspired by a visit to RIR.

  In “Scott on a Stick,” Melissa Sorenson relates how she fulfilled one of her deceased husband’s wishes by symbolically bringing him to Richmond for the May 2009 race.

  Throughout the middle chapters of the book the family theme is a sidelight as readers get an introspective look at the world of NASCAR through drivers, fans and family members. There are also several pieces written by reporters on how the sport has affected them.

  Drivers such as Tony Stewart, Kurt Busch and Joey Logano join a host of others in relating a varying degree of emotional moments from throughout their racing careers.

  Likewise NASCAR figures such as Brad Daugherty, Darrell Waltrip, Brian France and Kerry Earnhardt also contributed to the book.

  “What I like about this book and what I’m so excited about is the business is so big, it’s great to think of the human side and all of the stories,” Fritz said.

  One figure that takes on a significant role throughout the book is Dale Earnhardt Sr. and his untimely death in 2001. In the chapter “Dale” stories are dedicated to Earnhardt and the widespread effect he had on people.

  For NASCAR fans the book provides an opportunity to see behind the scenes and into the thoughts of the celebrities of the sport.

  “There’s a lot of humility and for the most, people are pretty humble in this sport,” Fritz said. “It’s about treating people right,” Fritz said.

  “What makes it fun for the fans, is to understand the passion and desires of the people in the industry,” Fritz added. “I think this book will do that.”

  But for RIR and Fritz, the book also provides a moment in the spotlight when there is little action at the track.

  “It’s great exposure for us at Richmond International Raceway and I’m just proud to be asked to be part of it,” Fritz said. “Look at who else is in that book and there’s little ol’ me in there too. It’s kind of an honor for me to be a part of it. I’ll hopefully touch somebody who reads my story and the other stories too.”

  For those who would like to get a copy of the book autographed by Fritz, they simply need to drop by the RIR ticket office and he will be more than happy to comply. However, it is best to call ahead to make sure Fritz is available.

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