AUBURN - Cato native Regan Smith has literally been racing since he could walk.
When he was just four years old, Smith encountered his first go-kart and fell in love.
From then on Smith could be found at the State Fairgrounds racing microds.
When he was 11, Smith and his family moved to North Carolina where he took many important steps in his racing career, first with the World Karting Association, before moving on to the Hooter ProCup Series.
Smith's determination as a driver paid off when he was chosen to drive the No. 35 McDonald's Ford in 2006 for Team Rensi Motorsports for Busch Series Racing.
But as far as his driving career has taken him, Smith has never forgotten where home is. When Smith found out he was scheduled to race at Watkins Glenn this weekend, he thought it would be the perfect opportunity to stop home and catch up with friends and family.
“It is the closest race to here,” Smith said. “I still have a lot of
family in the area and it is nice to come home and make a visit and see all the people I know since I was going to be so close.'
But it was also a chance for Smith to take a little time and meet some of his fans when he stopped at the McDonald's on Grant Avenue. in Auburn for an autograph session, a place Smith said held a lot of fond memories for him.
“This was the first McDonald's I came to when I was a little kid,” Smith said. “So it is pretty exciting to come back and see all the people and kids that are here. It makes it a really good time.”
People were literally flowing out into the parking lot for the chance to meet Smith and get a quick picture or autograph or just shake his hand.
Store Supervisor Jim Mennings said that it was a truly impressive turn out.
“It is really good,” Mennings said. “I think the fact that he grew up around here makes it really special for everyone.”
Smith's appearance drew a good mix of dedicated fans as well as hometown supporters. Some even knew Smith when he was younger.
“My sister used to baby sit for Regan,” Beth Myers said. “So we knew him as a little kid and we know his family. So far he has done really well and it is really good to see someone from Cato that is doing really good.”
Others like John Santmyer of Elbridge are avid Busch Series fans, who don't miss a race.
“I've been following the McDonald's car since the early '90s,” Santmyer said. “I don't miss a Busch Series race. I think he has a lot of talent as a driver and as far the Busch series goes, he is the cream of the crop.
“He is very down to earth and it is really nice to get to meet him.”
This kind of feedback and interaction with the fans is something Smith said is always exciting.
“It is nice to get out and sign a few autographs for folks,” Smith said. “It is pretty special to know that they are here to see me, you don't really realize it, but it is great when you see the looks on their faces.”
Perhaps the most excited in the crowd were Smith's younger fans, many of which were fascinated by just seeing in person someone they had watched on television.
“I watch a lot of racing and I've seen him drive a couple of times,” said 9-year-old Bobby Romeo.
“It felt really good to meet him in person and it was exciting to know that I've seen him on TV before and I'm getting to meet him in person. It really felt great.”
For Smith, the turnout was quite flattering and the support and well-wishes from his fans may be just what he needs to propel him into a solid performance at Watkins Glen on Saturday.
“There are a lot of folks here I know,” Smith said. “And there are a lot I haven't met before and it is really nice to see them all here. To get to be back in New York and racing at the Glen is a really big deal. So I'm really happy to back here and to get to race here, it is pretty exciting and I just hope to drive well and have a good weekend.”
From then on Smith could be found at the State Fairgrounds racing microds.
When he was 11, Smith and his family moved to North Carolina where he took many important steps in his racing career, first with the World Karting Association, before moving on to the Hooter ProCup Series.
Smith's determination as a driver paid off when he was chosen to drive the No. 35 McDonald's Ford in 2006 for Team Rensi Motorsports for Busch Series Racing.
But as far as his driving career has taken him, Smith has never forgotten where home is. When Smith found out he was scheduled to race at Watkins Glenn this weekend, he thought it would be the perfect opportunity to stop home and catch up with friends and family.
“It is the closest race to here,” Smith said. “I still have a lot of
family in the area and it is nice to come home and make a visit and see all the people I know since I was going to be so close.'
But it was also a chance for Smith to take a little time and meet some of his fans when he stopped at the McDonald's on Grant Avenue. in Auburn for an autograph session, a place Smith said held a lot of fond memories for him.
“This was the first McDonald's I came to when I was a little kid,” Smith said. “So it is pretty exciting to come back and see all the people and kids that are here. It makes it a really good time.”
People were literally flowing out into the parking lot for the chance to meet Smith and get a quick picture or autograph or just shake his hand.
Store Supervisor Jim Mennings said that it was a truly impressive turn out.
“It is really good,” Mennings said. “I think the fact that he grew up around here makes it really special for everyone.”
Smith's appearance drew a good mix of dedicated fans as well as hometown supporters. Some even knew Smith when he was younger.
“My sister used to baby sit for Regan,” Beth Myers said. “So we knew him as a little kid and we know his family. So far he has done really well and it is really good to see someone from Cato that is doing really good.”
Others like John Santmyer of Elbridge are avid Busch Series fans, who don't miss a race.
“I've been following the McDonald's car since the early '90s,” Santmyer said. “I don't miss a Busch Series race. I think he has a lot of talent as a driver and as far the Busch series goes, he is the cream of the crop.
“He is very down to earth and it is really nice to get to meet him.”
This kind of feedback and interaction with the fans is something Smith said is always exciting.
“It is nice to get out and sign a few autographs for folks,” Smith said. “It is pretty special to know that they are here to see me, you don't really realize it, but it is great when you see the looks on their faces.”
Perhaps the most excited in the crowd were Smith's younger fans, many of which were fascinated by just seeing in person someone they had watched on television.
“I watch a lot of racing and I've seen him drive a couple of times,” said 9-year-old Bobby Romeo.
“It felt really good to meet him in person and it was exciting to know that I've seen him on TV before and I'm getting to meet him in person. It really felt great.”
For Smith, the turnout was quite flattering and the support and well-wishes from his fans may be just what he needs to propel him into a solid performance at Watkins Glen on Saturday.
“There are a lot of folks here I know,” Smith said. “And there are a lot I haven't met before and it is really nice to see them all here. To get to be back in New York and racing at the Glen is a really big deal. So I'm really happy to back here and to get to race here, it is pretty exciting and I just hope to drive well and have a good weekend.”
The Citizens' Say
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