Pete Berner has been a fan-favorite for many years, but his most adoring fan comes from a rather unlikely place – his competition! Five year old Emily, or Emmy as she likes to be called, is the granddaughter of fellow Pro Stocker racer Dean Goforth, and she’s also become Berner’s #1 fan. Dean Goforth, along with son Cary (Emmy’s uncle), pilot the Dean’s Casing Service Mountain Motor Pro Stockers. They, like many of the IHRA racers, are a family-oriented team with huge family involvement and support. Granddaughter Emmy attended last weekend’s Mardi Gras Nationals where she cheered Berner on every round, decked in one of Berner’s shirts, and waiting with excitement to give him a thumbs up. Although she was a little shy at first she quickly got comfortable enough around Berner to throw in a hug with her thumbs up and pose for pictures with her grandpa Dean and Berner. Pete Berner has been a fan-favorite for many years, but his most adoring fan comes from a rather unlikely place – his competition! Five year old Emily, or Emmy as she likes to be called, is the granddaughter of fellow Pro Stocker racer Dean Goforth, and she’s also become Berner’s #1 fan. Dean Goforth, along with son Cary (Emmy’s uncle), pilot the Dean’s Casing Service Mountain Motor Pro Stockers. They, like many of the IHRA racers, are a family-oriented team with huge family involvement and support. Granddaughter Emmy attended last weekend’s Mardi Gras Nationals where she cheered Berner on every round, decked in one of Berner’s shirts, and waiting with excitement to give him a thumbs up. Although she was a little shy at first she quickly got comfortable enough around Berner to throw in a hug with her thumbs up and pose for pictures with her grandpa Dean and Berner.

“She is something else,” says Berner of Emmy.  “Dean tells me that she says, ‘You’re good Grandpa, but you can’t beat Pete Berner.’ She may only be five, but she’s my #1 fan, that’s for sure. I think I get more enjoyment out of seeing her happiness over my wins, than I do my own. She made my weekend!”

The fans were the talk of the weekend at the Mardi Gras Nationals, filling the stands and enthusiastically cheering for Stock just as much as Pro Stock. Comments such as “This was the best weekend of my life” and “We’re so glad to have you here” were heard throughout the pits from appreciative fans. Berner’s hero cards were in high demand and fans with cameras were stopping every few feet for a photo opportunity. A national-level event had not been to State Capitol Raceway in years, and fans were obviously excited over the return of professional racing. Berner had a chance to get to know a few of these fans on a personal level when he displayed his car at nearby Brusly High School on Thursday before the event.
 
“Everyone I’ve met down here has been very friendly and excited about the race. Zathan Boutan is a racing fan and local police officer here. We met him at the high school where we did a display on Thursday. He also worked as security at the track and then brought his whole family back to watch on his day off. He and his family were very hospitable. They invited our whole team over to their house for dinner! It’s so good to go to these tracks all over the country and find good people like him. His badge number is 25 and he gave us a sticker of it that we put on the car. He and his family and all the Louisiana fans are just awesome. They really make what we do worthwhile, win or lose. It’s great to see their excitement, enthusiasm and gratitude for the sport.

“Even though we lost in the second round, I really can’t complain about our first event. Emmy and all the Louisiana fans made the entire weekend a blast. The fans add so much to our sport. They’re a large part of the reason we do this. They mean a lot to me and I want to personally thank all the fans that support Pete Berner Racing and cheer us on, whether they’re 5 years old or 75.”