I guess my first thought is 14? out of more than 300 in the section?
Wow! I thought based on the reaction of some that there must have been hundreds behaving horribly at Sunday's race. So, this is shocking. I didn't watch so I'm wondering if this number of individuals are the total number or if someone out there believes there were more involved?
My second thought is, based on the titles of this weeks blogs, such as Earnhardt Fans Need to Clean Up Their Act, #3 Fans, and Show Some Class (not to pick on any one, just taking them from memory)....but how can ALL fans be called on the carpet for 14 people's actions? Isn't that like saying all Republicans are rich, or all College Grads are smart?
My third thought is really a product of the rants and raves and bickering I've read lately...but after reading almost all entries, I haven't read that any one person gave any consideration to one very important group of individuals -- I've seen comments about NASCAR Mgt., Track Officials, Drivers, Fans, Kids, Coolers, ####, Whitetrash, REAL Fans, Classless Fans, etc. but I've seen where no one has taken into consideration Track Workers. I know they're getting paid to watch the race in some folks opinion, but when your day of fun at the track is over and you head back to your freshly made hotel bed, or your own home (where you'd never throw trash on the floor or yard and leave it), these folks have to clean up the mess. So, here's to all Track Workers.
And lastly, cheers too ALL the fans that didn't participate in such disturbing, embarrassing behavior, all 149,986 of you that were estimated to be in attendance. GOOD JOB!
Actually Jangle117 I mentioned the track workers on someone elses blog. I have read so many lately I forget who's. Even though I am not at all a Gordon/Johnson fan I do think the throwing of trash/ beer cans is a bit tasteless. On the other hand I understand the frustration of most of the people who understand the way NASCAR used to be compared with the way it is today. There is really no way for the fans to show displeasure with the NASCAR orginazation. From bad calls to no calls, to late cautions and a #### up points system. Everyone is getting fed up with not being heard. Still not a reason to throw beer cans or toilet paper. Also to respond to everyone's saying that those throwing the beer had to be the "southern ####", well thats just impossible. If you look at the footage or if you were at the race you would see that 90% of the beer cans thrown had beer in it and everyone from the south knows you are taught from birth NEVER to waste beer.
Good blog BTW.
Nascar is now drawing fans that are not race fans but one driver fans. When I first started going to Talladega 12 years ago you could bring in as big of a cooler as 2 people could carry. A lot more drunks and way more ammo for the track but this stuff never happened. People respected the drivers even if they did not like them. Now if someones driver has a bad car or wrecks it's like they wasted their time instead of just enjoying the race.
I appreciate the "only non- or bad fans" were throwing trash statement. That's sort of a typical ad hominum approach to a problem. And congratulating the thousands of fans NOT caught throwing things - or who actually didn't throw things seems to be lowering the bar more than a little bit.
A bunch of people threw stuff on the track. Not 14 (that was the number actually arrested). More or less than 100? Who knows. But enough at one point to truly be described as a "shower of debris".
Sure, it's embarrassing to normal race fans. But to say that only non-race fans would engage in this behavior is wishful thinking. If "true race fans" were a non-debris throwing majority, this stuff would be largely eradicated already. Instead, it seems to be a growing phenomenon. Would you believe it if soccer fans said the hooligans who rioted at Liverpool some time ago were "non-soccer fans"? Of course not.
If you don't want to be thought of in the same light as these hooligans, police yourselves! Apply your seat back directly to the head of any "fan" you see starting to chuck something in the direction of the track. Sure, it's battery - but it's battery with good intent. I will personally contribute to your defense fund and nominate you for sainthood here within the Fox Sports Blog Community.
Hey Dave -- my objective was NOT to minimize the dangerous and rediculous behavior on Sunday...by no means. I am a full supporter of whatever punishments can be doled out should be, and these individuals should be banned from ALL tracks, not just Dega. I also believe that NASCAR and Track Owners/Officials need to step up to the plate and take some corrective measures and spear head the possibility of future behavior, simply to protect the families, elderly and all other walks of life that enjoy the track environment. If we start policing ourselves and taking measures into our own hands, the free-for-all brawl that would undoubtedly ensue is scary...I'd really hate to read the headlines after a few kids are trampled in the mayhem.
I'm glad you participated in the blog and shared your views. And to make myself clear, I do respect Gordan as a driver, as well as a man. He does many wonderful things off the track as well as on as does many of the other drivers. BUT I AIN'T NO FAN ;-)!! Take care
Hey Falco -- kind of the way the media always pulls numbers together when they report the news huh? I was utterly shocked when I read that! Impressive.... :-O
Yea, I heard Jr. hired the best lawyer for each of them so they wouldn't be penalized! JUST KIDDING!! See...it just shows that all they (NASCAR) care about is the mighty $$! The day will come that the winner in victory lane isn't the big news, instead it will be broadcast around the world that all the fans were fighting because someone threw a beer, or hotdog or hell they probably won't even bother to find out what started it! The frustration is escalating and NASCAR has their head up their ####. Before it's over those involved will most likely have season passes! Unbelievable! Thanks for the update!
At a riot in here in Ames, video was used to identify those who participated and they were arrested if identified. The community was asked to help with identifying them and did.
Personally, in Shreveport, I installed a hidden security camera and busted an employee stealing gas from our office complex. We fired him and prosecuted him. He was actually a good guy and thanked us for forcing him to deal with a crack habit before it got too bad.
Maybe Talladega needs to install security cameras. Use the ticket purchasing info with the cameras and track others down. I'm sure other fans would help. Who wants to sit next to jerks like that?
You would certainly think that the expense or pre-measure would be far less than that of tons of people filing suit for damages afterward. Really, with the "Sue 'em mentallity" of today, how many ask for an astronomical amount in punitives b/c they will never be able to attend another track event based on the terror they experienced during the brawl? Based on the populations perception of the sport today, what jury wouldn't award? Crazy!
Any security specialists out there that would care to offer Track Owners some unsolicited bids for equipment installation and maint?
I'm glad Talladega owner threw them out for life. They are not true race fans. There is no place for throwing things on the race track. Hopefully it will stop. Stay home you yuppie race fans, for you don't know what real race fans are.
As far as qualifying for the races. Here is a idea take the fastest 42 drivers and then take the highest in points who doesn't qualify through time. This will make qualifying more exiciting and give all a even chance to race. From race to race you get the same cars any ways, so what is the difference. Independents deserve a chance to race also. This means no past provisional, which is a joke.
