NASCAR driver pumps discounted gas, promotes race
NORTHVILLE TOWNSHIP — The lure of $2.50 per gallon gasoline wasn’t big enough to create traffic jams Tuesday, but motorists who lined up were surprised by who was providing service with a smile.
“I don’t usually get this kind of service,” said Debbie Eichholtz of Northville, as NASCAR race driver Stephen Leicht washed her windshield and topped off the tank on her minivan. Eichholtz saved about $5, and she also got an autograph for her race fan husband, Kevin, and daughter, Tricia.
Across the Sunoco station at Haggerty and Five Mile, Michigan International Speedway President Roger Curtis was retrieving Jim Donohoe’s credit card receipt and chatting about this weekend’s upcoming NASCAR races at the big track near Jackson.
Leicht will race Saturday in the Carfax 250 (thus the $2.50 gasoline deal) for Busch series cars, the support division for Sunday’s Nextel Cup race featuring NASCAR’s biggest stars. The 18-year-old Asheville, N.C., native said he’s done some unusual things for sponsor promotions, but pumping gasoline was actually fun.
“I’d do this again. Everybody’s happy to get the gas, even if they don’t know who I am,” Leicht said with a laugh.
Leicht happens to be one of the hottest young drivers in NASCAR’s second series. He won the Meijer 300 race in June at Kentucky Speedway. He is seventh in the season championship standings with two top five finishes and five top 10s.
“I’m certain my husband will know who he is,” Eichholtz said. “I’m just surprised by how cute he is. I should have asked him to change all of my tires.”
The promotion saved most motorists a few dollars, as AAA Michigan reports the average gallon in the state costs $2.81.