Media, celebrities, and identification: An examination of fan relationships with Dale Earnhardt amid the culture of NASCAR
by Presnell, Kara K., Ph.D., REGENT UNIVERSITY, 2008, 283 pages; 3321380

Abstract:

Legendary NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, who was killed during the last lap of the 2001 running of the Daytona 500, was a larger-than-life figure and one of the most influential and widely-known sports celebrities of his time. His life and career were regularly covered by the media, making his face one of the most recognizable among sports celebrities. His untimely death caused an outpouring of grief and emotion heretofore unseen in the realm of NASCAR. This study provides insight into the relationships his fans felt they formed with this mediated person and examined the impact of that relationship upon their lives. An ethnographic and phenomenological study of 14 very loyal Dale Earnhardt fans was conducted and revealed that his fans developed strong, even pathological levels, of identification with this mediated celebrity that impacted their lives in a variety of ways. Additionally, important implications of the identification of fans with celebrities are discussed in this study and future research on fan relationships with mediated celebrities is discussed.

 
Advisor
SchoolREGENT UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/A 69-07, p. , Oct 2008
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsCultural anthropology; Journalism; Mass communication
Publication Number3321380
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