About the only way you could determine this is by what you read in magazines, newspapers, and what you see on television. If I were a fan, I wouldn't be around these people enough to make a choice, so I would have to rely on what I read and on what's on TV. I would also study my candidate very closely while standing in an autograph line. I would want to see how well he handles his fans, or prospective fans. If he was rude to a single fan, then I would probably break line and leave.
I'm not sure how well some drivers today understand that they are being judged all the time. Also, I'm not sure how many drivers, crewmen, sponsors, and NASCAR officials realize how important the fans are to our sport. These are the people who buy the products that keep us going, but too often we fail to notice.
A team gets a $10 million deal and then turns around and somebody insults the very family that may buy the product. I would try to buy products that sponsor somebody, even if it wasn't my favorite driver. After all, he has to have somebody to beat.
I can't see myself buying a lot of souvenirs, especially from a competitor I'm not pulling for on the track. That would be like pulling for the Redskins and wearing a Packers jacket
I don't know if all this would make me a good race fan or not. I think I would still try to represent my sport with the highest regard. I think I would feel that way if I were a football fan, baseball fan, or whatever. I believe sports fans should be as loyal as the people they support.