Cheers for the Underdog: David Gilliland

David Gilliland during driver introductions at Bristol in August 2011

He is a driver that, up until a few years ago, I never paid much attention to. In fact, I never paid any real attention to him until he started racing for Front Row Motorsports. I could go into detail about his NASCAR career, but only if I did some research. I may not know a whole lot about David Gilliland, but what I can tell you is that as long as he is racing, I’m more than happy to cheer him on.

The only reason I even started noticing Gilliland was because of my cousin Kayla. She became a fan of him in 2008, and I eventually started watching him because she always pointed him out and cheered for him on race weekends. It didn’t matter what position he was in, if he even gained one single position more, she cheered.

I have always been a fan of underdogs, and there is no doubt Gilliland is an underdog in the sport. Racing for Front Row Motorsports, he might not be in the best equipment compared to the top teams, but that does not stop him from going out there and giving it all he can. It wasn’t until May 2011 that I really became a true fan of Gilliland though, but before I explain that, I first need to talk about what happened in August 2010.

In August 2010, my cousin Kayla and I were lucky enough to get pre-race passes at Bristol Motor Speedway. That put us down on the track for the pre-race concert as well as driver introductions. Kayla proudly wore a Gilliland t-shirt I had bought her for her birthday a month before. I even snapped a picture of her standing near Gilliland’s car on pit road, just on the other side of the pit wall. After taking that picture, she and I hurried over to the stage for driver introductions. When Gilliland walked out, Kayla yelled as loud as she could "Go Gilliland!", and he stopped dead in his tracks, looked down at her, and waved. It meant a lot to her that he acknowledged her. I promised Kayla after that race that I would find a way for her to meet him the next year.

It was May 2011 that really convinced me to become a Gilliland fan, though. I went to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca Cola 600. It was my first trip to Charlotte, and I never could have imagined what would happen that Sunday. I attended the tweet-up, which is a meeting where the time and place are posted on Twitter. Gilliland was a special guest, and while I was talking to him, I told him about Kayla. He signed a hero card "To: Kayla", then told me to tell Kayla he said "hi" when I saw her again. I looked at him and said "If I call her, will you say hi to her on the phone?" I was expecting him to laugh and look at me like I was crazy. I even expected him to say no.

But he didn't say no.

He told me yes. I quickly called Kayla, and once she answered, I handed the phone to Gilliland. He talked to Kayla for about five minutes before telling her bye and handing my phone back to me. Needless to say, I was a little stunned that he did that. Kayla was absolutely thrilled to have had those few moments to talk to her favorite driver.

In that moment that Gilliland said he would talk to Kayla on the phone, he gained a new fan. I decided right then and there to become a supporter of the driver who took a few minutes of his time to surprise my cousin. I don't know how many other drivers would have done something like that, but it meant the world to Kayla and I both that he would.

After that, I told Kayla I would do all I could to make sure she finally got to meet her favorite driver face-to-face. That did not happen until March 2012 at Bristol. I called Kayla early the morning of the Food City 500 to tell her Gilliland would be at the Ford display for a Q&A with fans. Kayla made it to the track in time that morning for the Q&A. Once Gilliland finished it up, he stepped off the stage to sign autographs and take pictures with fans. When he got to me, I asked him if he remembered me from Charlotte. He said he did and then asked how Kayla was doing. I grabbed Kayla's arm and pulled her up to where Gilliland and I were. I introduced them, and Gilliland immediately told her he was glad to finally meet her just before they took a picture together. I can't say for sure, but I think Kayla considers it one of the best moments she has ever had at a race.

So, really, I became a Gilliland fan because of Kayla, and ever since that day at Charlotte in 2011, I have continued cheering for Gilliland every race. Truth be told, I became a Gilliland fan for life after he took those few moments to talk to Kayla on the phone in 2011. I can't wait for the day that Gilliland finally makes it to Victory Lane in the Cup Series. I've watched Gilliland and his Front Row Motorsports team fight hard the last few years, and I know one day, they will finally get the win they all deserve.