Bristol 2015 Night Race HOT Pass

I had the opportunity to get a HOT pass for the Bristol night race earlier this month. Here are some of the autographs I received. I will let the pictures do the talking: http://s1191.photobucket.com/user/dustysara2/library/Bristol%20Autographs%20August%202015

Nascar HOF weekend

I won't be posting the actual autographs, but here are pictures of the drivers I met the HOF induction weekend.

Mario Andretti (old post)

I got the chance to meet Mario Andrett (again) on the Friday before the Indy 500. I had met him a couple of years ago, and I got him to sign the picture from that day. I also had another picture taken of us, and I hurried to Walgreens to get it blown up, and Mr. Andretti signed it before he had to go! I had him make it out to my son, Will. \

Things are looking busy for this summer, and i is only May!

Until next time....

Terrell Owens

My wife was asked to perform at the opening ceremonies of a charity basketball game in Chicago, IL. My son and I went along, with the hopes of getting to meet T.O. After the performance, Will and I saw Terrell walking around, talking to people. He was really nice, and signed an autograph for my son. He was quiet, and reserved, not at all like the media has made him out to be. Thanks, for the 'graph, T.O.!!

SHAQ!!!

The fact that Shaq was the last active member of the NBA’s 50 Greatest Players meant he was still playing long after I received my lithograph. Even though I have had the litho for over 10 NBA seasons, I had not had luck getting Shaq to sign my litho. Between not being able to attend games, or the team he was playing for leaving town right after the game, things had just not gone my way. After he retired, he was still in the public eye, as he did pre-game for TNT, and was in numerous commercials. When I got the list of signers for the November Chicago Sun-Times show, he was one of the marquee names! I paused, however, when I saw the price; two hundred ninety nine dollars! I thought this might be a once-in-a-lifetime event, so I bought a ticket. When the day arrived, I wanted to be sure to be in view of him when he walked to the table, so Will could get an idea of just how big Shaquille is. Our number came up quickly, as I had number 57. When it was our turn, I made a request: I wanted him to sign his first and last name. He signed the litho, and made a point to talk to Will, which I thought was sweet. I asked him for a group picture, and he said “Sure.” It wasn’t until I had left the table, and was at the PSA/DNA table, to get it authenticated, that I noticed that Shaq did exactly as I had asked. He had signed the lithograph, “Shaquille O’Neal”! I have never seen ANY autographs of his with his full first name. Not that they don’t exist, but I am saying that I have never seen one. Even though it was the most expensive autograph I have ever paid for, it was one of the coolest autograph experiences I have had in a very long time.

Coming up next...SHAQ!

I will be getting Shaq's autograph on November 17th. On the litho, of course! Pictures, description, and my ravings to follow in about a week! Stay tuned.

Bob Pettit!!

There have been signings that I have looked forward to for a long time, and there are those that, dare I say, I have passed on. This one fell in the grey area in the middle. I was not sure, even two days before, if I would go. I had seen the advertisement on an autograph website about a month before, but just couldn’t convince myself that I was definitely going. Since I would not have to take the day off, and my family could go with me, I decided to make an entire day of it. We all loaded in the car around 7 a.m., and we headed to St. Louis! After the drive, we stopped at the Arch and spent a couple of hours enjoying the monument and the waterfront. The signing did not start until 7, and I wanted to be one of the first in line so we could get back on the road home. James Worthy’s picture was just below Pettit’s, and Worthy had signed above his picture instead of below! I had to ask Mr. Pettit to squeeze his autograph beside Worthy’s. He smiled and said, “No problem.” I asked Bob who was the toughest person he ever defended, and he answered Bill Russell. A very long trip was worthwhile, as I am one autograph closer to being finished with this monumental task! This was one autograph I did not think I would get, so it was extra special.

No, I didn't give up....

Okay, Okay. I know it has been a REALLY long time since I have posted, but there hasn't been much going on in the autograph world with me. I got a couple of new autographs on my NBA litho, Elgin Baylor, and Jerry Lucas. But what I am posting about today is NASCAR. There are always plenty of autograph opportunities when the NASCAR series comes to Michigan. What makes me extra pumped this time around is that I have been in contact with Roger Curtis, President of MIS, and he says there will be an autograph session with multiple drivers on race weekend. The better part? I AM GUARANTEED PASSES TO THE SESSION!!! I am hoping that Jeff Gordon will be one of the signers, because I want my nephew Jared to meet JG. Everyone - and I mean everyone - in our family has met Jeff(including my 3 year old son) except Jared. Hopefully I will get more information tonight on MIS Live!, a video chat with Mr. Curtis. He stages them before the race to get people talking about NASCAR and MIS. Wish me luck!

What's going on?!

Well, this summer was kinda dull, autographically speaking. I have been searching for new opportunities lately, and my diligence has been rewarded!

Jerry Lucas, one of the NBA 50, will be appearing at the Sun-Times Show in Chicago on November 20. I am getting my litho signed, as well as the large photo of the group. Tony LaRussa will be appearing as well, and I am getting a World Series Ball signed for my neighbor Adam, a HUGE Cardinal Fan.

And here comes Winter......

National in Chicago

Sorry I haven't kept up on this blog. I have been enjoying being a dad, and there haven't been many signings of interest this summer.

The National is coming to Chicago next month, but no NBA at 50 players...*sigh*

Make that ***SIGH***

Indy 500....

Just heard about the "World's biggest autograph session". (drool, drool) See www.indy500.com for details. Event is May 28th.

Mr. Scottie Pippen!

I am proud to say that I have added my FAVORITE basketball player of ALL time to my NBA at 50 Lithograph. Although it was a quick signing, I was THRILLED to get to meet Mr. Pippen. He will be honored next month with a bust inside the United Center in Chicago.

Weird Al

I found out about Weird Al Yankovic writing a children's book, and that he was doing a book signing in the Chicago Area. I quickly made plans to attend.

That night, there was not an empty seat to be found. Al answered a few questions, then got down to SIGNING!!!

He was really neat, and not as shy as I have seen in the past. Thanks, Al!!!

Slowing down....

As usual, the signings have slowed down for the fall. I AM, however, planning to attend the Sun-Times show in Chicago and maybe get Joe Montana's autograph. I have a ND helmet that his autograph would look great on...

The National is in Chicago next year, so I guess I should start stockpiling my money now to get a load of neat stuff there.

Here's to a mild winter, and some signings now and then to appease me!

I must be getting what they call "Mature"

I made a decision yesterday to spend time with my family instead of driving to Chicago to meet Danica Patrick (again).

I must be getting older....

Or (gasp)... more "Mature".

Pray for me. Just Kidding! Enjoy your cooler weather, people!

I am still in shock...

My 2 favorite spots on my new Lithograph...... Now to find the money to get it framed.

IT IS HERE!!!!

It finally came! My NASCAR 50th Anniversary Litho....I am in awe.

Nascar Hall of Fame Part 3

One of My 2 goals in getting autographs prior to the Induction ceremony was to get the 2 living Inductees (Richard Petty and Junior Johnson) on one item. I had a hard time deciding what to put them on, then I found a high resolution scan of the Hall of Fame logo. I produced an 8x10 of it, and I am proud to say that I was able to attain this goal.

We Interrupt This Series Of Blogs To Bring You An Important Update!

Yesterday, May 26, 2010, My son and I traveled to Indianapolis to meet the one and only DANICA PATRICK. We each got one autograph. It was an all day affair, but it was well worth it.

With various people helping me entertain my son to pass the time, we got what we were after (Thanks, Elaine!).

She is really cool, and I am glad that I made the trip.

Jeff Gordon at the NHOF

After Jimmie Johnson had went along and signed just about everything put in front of him, several other drivers went along Glory Road. One of which was the driver of the DuPont Chevrolet, Jeff Gordon.

My family had our picture taken with Jeff last summer, and I brought the 8x10 with me to see if I could get it signed. Jeff smiled as he signed it, and continued on his way. A moment for him, a cherished memory for me.