Around Town

#FollowFriday: Fox Sports NASCAR reporter Andrew Doud

By Abby Miressi

Confession time: I had no idea what NASCAR really was until I moved to North Carolina. No judgment please.

I’ve since been educated, and with Race Week coming up in May, I feel inspired to have this week’s Follow Friday pay homage to NASCAR Nation.

Meet Andrew Doud.

A NASCAR fan since his aunt and uncle took him to his first race at Dover when he was a little kid, he’s now living his dream: Reporting from pit road for FOX Sports.

The Basics

Twitter handle: @AndrewDoud

Originally from: Bucks County, Pa. (outside Philadelphia).

Favorite CLT lunch spot: Mac’s Speed Shop

The Q&A

Q. For starters, tell us a little bit about how you got to where you are today.

I came to North Carolina for college (transfer to Elon University ’03). After graduation, I went to Greenville, NC for 3 years to work at the CBS affiliate as a news reporter (’07-’10), then came to Charlotte where I worked at WSOC, Channel 9 (’10-’13). From there I went to Tampa for a year when FOX Sports called and offered me the gig I have now.

Q. How did you get into journalism?

I got into journalism because of the people I met at Elon, though the first time I remember thinking it would be a cool job was back in 3rd grade. School was canceled because of a blizzard and my parents had the TV parked on 6 ABC. I remember thinking the reporters were so lucky they got to go hang out in the snow and call it work.

Then I got into TV news as an adult…turns out snow events are not nearly as fun to cover as my 9-year-old self once thought….but covering NASCAR is.

Q. What are some pro tips on how to engage your social media following? How do you maintain your authenticity?

Do what you love and everything falls into place. Cheesy, I know. I grew up following NASCAR, and I know there are millions out there who share my passion for the sport. My job is to go to the places and talk to the people that every NASCAR fan wants to but can’t.

I try to think what I would like to see covered as a fan and apply that to work each day. I try to let people know what we’re working on that day and why they should tune in for the show. I also put my segments on Twitter/Facebook after they’ve aired.

Q. What is the craziest/funniest/scariest thing you have experienced while reporting for NASCAR?

It’s one thing to watch it, it’s another to do it, and I didn’t truly appreciate that until I had the opportunity to drive a race car at one of the NASCAR driving experiences for a story. Charlotte Motor Speedway looks like a big track but when you’re going around at 155 mph, it feels much smaller. It gives you a whole new appreciation for the sport and how talented the drivers are.

Q. What is one thing NASCAR fans would be surprised to learn about the races from someone who is on the inside?

I often hear from people who aren’t fans that NASCAR is just cars going in a circle, making left turns. Fans of the sport know it’s more than that but I was amazed at just how much goes into each and every race. There is one driver in the car, but this really is a team sport — the pit crew, the hauler drivers, the men and women at the shops that work on the cars each week. I honestly can’t even estimate a number. It all somehow comes together on Sundays.

Q. Do you have a favorite team/driver? Why?

I don’t have a favorite team or driver, though I think Carl Edwards’ trademark backflip is one of the coolest victory celebrations.

Want more Andrew? You can watch NASCAR Race Hub weekdays at 6 pm on FOX Sports 1 and follow him on Instagram for behind-the-scene pics: andrew_doud16

Photos: Publications International, Ltd.

Abby Miressi

@abbymsays

This story was originally published May 1, 2015 at 1:13 AM with the headline "#FollowFriday: Fox Sports NASCAR reporter Andrew Doud."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER