With the coming of the new year, comes the testing and appearances in preparation for the 1999 season. The first of which was a return appearance in Fort Washington, PA on Saturday January 16th. The Pennzoil Motorsports '99 show (called the Miller Motorsports Show last year) featured dozens of drivers and activities throughout the weekend. Steve signed autographs between 5-7 p.m along with DEI teammate Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Thousands of fans stopped by to get a chance to get an autograph, and stood in line for hours, only to find out that time ran out before they could get to the front of the line. They were a bit . . . upset . . . to say the least and reportedly voiced their feelings when the session ended. Steve, the class act that he is, chose not to leave like other drivers, but instead he walked through the crowd. He signed a few more autographs as he left, and shook hands with his fans. He also made hundreds of fans with this wonderful gesture. It was another show of why we respect Steve so much!

Just like last year, fans have been kind enough to share their pictures, and they are all posted on the Pennzoil Motorsports Show page.

Immediately following his autograph session in Pennsylvania, Steve flew down to Daytona to prepare for this year's testing session. Steve was the 10th fastest driver in his first day of testing, showing that he's as ready to get back to racing as all the fans are to see him out there. In the cumulative scoring for all sessions combined, Steve ended up both 38th fastest, with a speed of 189.833, and 68th fastest, with a speed of 188.222.


To the right, Steve takes time out from testing to sign for a fan.