MEXICO – Sheryl Briggs is a big fan.

She and hundreds of others turned out Wednesday morning for an appearance by Ricky Craven, the official celebrity spokesman for VIP Parts, Tires and Service, as the newest store held its grand opening.

“He’s from Maine and I’m very proud of him,” said Briggs as she held a couple of NASCAR hats and stat sheets on Craven’s performance.

She wore a NASCAR jacket and T-shirt. She got him to autograph virtually every NASCAR-related item she’d brought with her that morning.

“I’m so proud of how far he has come, and the adversity and obstacles he’s endured. He was in an accident a couple of years ago and it was difficult to get back into it. A lot of people said he wouldn’t come back, but he did. He serves us proud,” she said.

“He deserves to be recognized. It’s such an honor for our town,” she added.

She’s been to the Loudon, N.H., Raceway to watch Craven compete a couple of times.

Briggs hasn’t always been a racing fan.

But when Maine native Craven from the eastern Maine town of Newburgh began competing, she quickly became one.

“He’s my No. 1 choice and he’s doing so good this year. He’s won one race already,” she said.

Briggs had lots of company in her feelings of pride about the Maine boy.

Local VIP store manager Aidan Prindle said dozens of people started lining up outside the Route 2 store by 6 a.m. In fact, he said, one man parked his pickup truck in the parking lot at 3:30 a.m., then slept until Prindle arrived for work at 5:30 a.m.

“It’s been wonderful. I didn’t expect to see this turnout,” he said.

Lined up for autographs were people of all ages.

Bonnie Cayer of Peru was there with her elderly mother, Jackie Theriault of Rumford. Taking her to see Craven was a birthday present.

“I’ve watched Ricky come up through the ranks,” said Theriault as she clutched a stat sheet to be autographed.

“I’m a fan because he’s local,” added Cayer.

Jerry Cote of Rumford was all decked out in a NASCAR T-shirt announcing Craven’s win of the Darlington race, and a matching cap.

Cote has been a racing fan for years, first for Dale Earnhardt Sr., and now for Ricky Craven.

“He’s from Maine, he’s a Maine native,” said Cote.

Eleven-year-old Cole Clark was pretty excited to meet his favorite race car driver.

“I got to meet Ricky Craven,” he said after the race car driver autographed his hat and T-shirt.

Pauline Wilson of Rumford has been a racing car fan for years. “I love the sound of those engines!” she said as she waved a black-and-white checkered flag while waiting for Craven’s arrival. “Ricky is an excellent driver.”

For Briggs, she had to return to work at the Town Office after the autograph session. It wasn’t going to be easy.

“My body will be there, but my mind won’t,” she said.