Get to know FOX NASCAR reporter Andrew Doud
This extended Q&A marks the eighth in a series with FOX Sports motor sports personalities.
FOX NASCAR reporter and Philadelphia native Andrew Doud, who joined FOX Sports beginning with the 2015 season and received the 2009 North Carolina Associated Press Award for Sport News, reports for FS1's NASCAR RACE HUB, NASCAR RACEDAY and NASCAR VICTORY LANE.
FOX SPORTS: Why did you choose journalism as a career?
DOUD: I'm really bad at math.
FOX SPORTS: How did you get your start in local TV? And did you have your sights on NASCAR broadcasting at that time?
DOUD: I knew I wanted to be a reporter, but I needed to get my foot in the door. I sent tapes out to several news stations hoping someone would give a recent college grad a chance. I caught the eye of an assistant news director in Greenville, N.C., who must have seen some potential in me. I bet if we popped in the VHS (kids, Google that word) I sent them now, we would all have a good laugh. I've come a long way. I always looked for opportunities to cover racing. One Saturday I went to get a quick interview with Richard Petty when he was in town, and that led to a trip to Level Cross for a longer feature. The first race I went to as a reporter/photographer was the All-Star Race at (then) Lowe's Motor Speedway
FOX SPORTS: How much did you grow up watching NASCAR on TV and what is your first memory of watching it, whether in person or on TV?
DOUD: My aunt and uncle took me to an XFINITY Series race at Dover when I was 10 or so. I was hooked. My aunt was a Dale Earnhardt fan, while my uncle pulled for Mark Martin. They said I had to pick a driver, so I grew up a Rusty Wallace fan.
FOX SPORTS: Who was your childhood hero?
DOUD: I always looked up to my dad (still do). He always put his family first and instilled in me the importance of hard work. He also supported my crazy dreams.
FOX SPORTS: What would someone who doesn't know you be surprised to learn about you?
DOUD: After I graduated college I went through Firefighter 1 training. Shortly after I completed that, I moved to NC for my first job. I would love to get back into volunteer firefighting someday.
FOX SPORTS: What duties did you have as an intern for the Eagles Television Network and what did you learn?
DOUD: I worked with an awesome, talented crew with ETN. My favorite job was carrying the backpack full of batteries on the sidelines during a pre-season game. That was the payoff, but it was great insight into what goes into putting the product on air. I once sat in on a game from a broadcast truck. Viewers would be amazed if they knew how much was going on in there during a sporting event. I knew I wanted to keep pursuing my goal of being on air after that.
FOX SPORTS: When is your wedding date and how much of a hand have you had in the planning?
DOUD: June 18th -- the Cup off-weekend. We're getting married in the area of Long Island where my fiancée, Sarah, grew up. She wanted to say 'I do in the church her grandparents met in back in the day. So, she had a lot of it planned out. I've said 'yes,' 'it's very nice' and 'sounds great' a lot the last few months. The one thing I asked for is to drive away from the church in my Mustang. I'm a big car guy. She agreed to that one, fortunately.
FOX SPORTS: You're putting the NASCAR RACE HUB cast in the wedding, correct?
DOUD: Um, how many people generally are allowed in a wedding party? I'll have to count heads and get back to you on that.
FOX SPORTS: Is there something about NASCAR that surprised you once you got into the sport as a reporter?
DOUD: It always amazes me what it takes to get everything to the track each weekend -- cars, parts, people. There are so many moving parts with each team, but it seems so seamless when you're at the track.
FOX SPORTS: Have you ever driven a race car? (besides the Race Hub competition last week)
DOUD: I didn't grow up racing, but I treated my first car like a race car. It was a 1987 Honda Prelude, and it did not handle corners well. I learned that lesson the hard way. That probably should have been my first indication my future was not as a driver. The Race Hub competition was so much fun! That gives you a tremendous respect for what drivers do and are capable of. I really wish I had won. The trophy would have looked best on my desk.
FOX SPORTS: Do you have any idea why some people confuse you with Alan Cavanna? Is it the hair?
DOUD: Maybe it's just that Andrew and Alan sound similar? Maybe I'll grow a beard to help alleviate some of the confusion. If you run into me, call me Doud. Growing up, I went by my last name anyway. It drives my parents nuts because they "spent so much time picking out a first name."
FOX SPORTS: Fitness is one of your hobbies. What's your go-to workout?
DOUD: I like to try different workouts. It's part of the reason I started the "Fit to be Fast" franchise this season on Race Hub. Drivers have a lot of different ways they stay in shape, and I wanted to showcase that to fans. As for me, I really want to do a full Ironman -- 140.6 miles. I've done a half, 70.3. Training for those is a major time commitment, but it's also a big accomplishment when you finish. That's probably next on the list â after the wedding, that is.
To learn more about Doud, please CLICK HERE and follow him on Twitter at @AndrewDoud.
Other Q&A's in this series:
- Mike Joy
