Think throwing beer on the track is funny? Some sobering thoughts
Quote selected text Published May 1st, 2007 in NASCAR News
Editor’s note: The following is an excerpt from the NASCAR.com website. Consider this a sort of public service announcement to all those who truly care about the sport of NASCAR and a warning to those who think nailing Jeff Gordon with can of beer is cool:
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How personally satisfying it must be to hit racecars, race stewards, or the random woman in the grandstands in front of you with full cans of beer. You don’t listen to Dale Earnhardt Jr. urging you to stop. You don’t listen to your fellow fans telling you to stop. You certainly don’t listen to law enforcement or track officials. Your parents must be so proud.
If a moron will throw a tall boy onto the track at the conclusion of a race, is it that absurd to imagine him throwing one during a race? Is it only a matter of time before that happens? Probably.
Let’s do the math. Knowing that force = mass x acceleration, a 16 oz. can of beer striking an ideal blow to a car going 200 miles per hour hits with the force of about 2,000 lbs.
“Yeah, that’ll teach that pretty boy.”
I don’t want to speculate on the injury that would cause a driver, but I will speculate on what that would do to the race at Talladega. At worst, it would expose NASCAR and ISC to crippling lawsuits and the track would close. It would scare away the Nextels, the DuPonts, the Budweisers and the Fox Broadcasting Companies of the world. NASCAR racing as we know it would end.
At best, it would mean increased ticket prices to offset higher event insurance and security costs. Plus, it would mean the end of bringing your own beer to the track. That alone would cause anarchy.
Either way, a huge portion of the fan base would walk away from the sport out of sheer embarrassment.
Do you for a minute think that NASCAR’s lawyers haven’t already thought this through?
To those who were part of the ass-hattery at Talladega, or sympathize with them, I ask this simple question: If the honchos at NASCAR can put a guy like Tony Stewart so firmly in his place, what makes you think that their plan for all NASCAR fans would be any less fierce?
To the rest of us, I ask: Are we as fans strong enough to prevent the crazies among us from ruining the greatest ongoing sporting experience we’ve ever known?
NASCAR and its fans are at something of a crossroads these days. One thing’s for sure, things cannot stay the way they currently are.
Bookmark to:
- Fourteen fans barred from buying tickets at Talladega
- Fewer than 10 people detained for throwing debris at Talladega
- Raines fined, loses points for throwing helmet
- Richmond bans the 14 fans from Talladega
- Coors Light to become the official beer of NASCAR-UPDATE
Very well put. It would be a shame if the actions of few drunk assholes ruined the sport as we know it
Amen!
I agree totally!!! I sure hope something is done soon and before something really bad happens to a fan,driver, track official, etc. I could tell after the race Sat. that it wasn’t as many as a few years ago, but even one is one too many.
And this is the greatest form of American racing???? U guys are a joke and a disgrace to American racing in general !! GO TAXICABS!!!! LOL
total agreement here.. you go to the races to have fun and cheer on your favorite drivers. but now you have to worry who’s behind you, those cans could very well hurt the spectators. i am going to the richmond race, i just pray that everyone leaves there safe. remember people there are children there as well. the ones throwing stuff, this is a question for you.. would you want a can to hit your child? I sure wouldnt. Or even someone that you love. Think about that before you throw another object at the track.
I am not a fan of Jeff Gordon, but remember they are expecting a little girl soon. How do you think this innocent child will feel to know that her daddy was seriously injured or killed but fans who didnt like it, just because he won a race. Grow up people… He is human as well as the rest of us.
I could not believe the people and how imature they were throwing cans out in the track. They should all be a shamed of them selfs. I dont see people throwing cans on the basketball court when the lakers win. I dont see cans being thrown when the Angles win a baseball game so why do it in Nascar ? It would not be fun if we all liked the same driver thats the fun of nascar is liking different drivers as with liking different football teams, Baseball teams, Basketball, Hockey its a sport. I feel if your not mature enough to except when your driver or team loses then you shouldnt go or watch. I feel no matter how Nascar does things there is always going to be someone that is not going to like something
or a driver that is going to get mad its in the sport but throwing thing at drivers and there cars is just flat out disrespectful to the drivers and to nascar and to the true fans of Nascar true fans would never ever throw stuff out on the track because they respect the sport. Well I guess I have said what I needed I really hope the people that throw things really stop and think how stupid they look and act.
Champ Car? What’s that? Is that some kind new safety/big wheel type of thing for kids? I think my wife mentioned to me about getting one of those for my son.
Hey thanks for the info Champ Car Fan!!
You know, if they are stupid enough to throw things on the track,, then they are probably tooooooooo stupid to actually read what we have written.
It is seriously sad when the ADULT fans are the ones that are acting
like big babies. They really do need to think about the fact that
Jeff Gordon will soon be a father!
Here is the question that I will put to all the fans that throw stuff onto the track:
How do you think that you would feel if it was your child that might have to grow up knowing that their father was killed or seriously injured by a beer can being thrown at them or if you were the one being hit by the can????
I totally agree. This kind of behavior is uncalled for. It would be
a shame for this kind of rudeness to ruin such a great sport.
Believe me, I am no Gordon fan, but the reaction of the fans to his winning is an embarrassment and a disgrace. What is the man supposed to do, not win so as not to offend other fans? I don’t want people to think all Earnhardt fans are like that. Get a life, you a-holes!
I will be so pissed if I can not bring my own beer! I clearly want all the drivers to be safe and I would hope no one is dumb enough
to throw a projectile at race car moving at 200mph! It has gotten out of hand!
Totally agree also!
I have to agree as well. How can fans of Nascar be so stupid to throw things on the track. Im not a Jeff Gordon fan by no means. But people STOP Throwing things. You are ruining the race for everyone else that are there to enjoy them.
GROW UP. Three year old throw thing when they get mad… No GROWN ADULTS
This really is getting out of control. I’m a Gordon fan and I’ll be at Bristol this
fall. Am I supposed to withhold from showing my support as a fan there just in case
some drunk moron decides to mess with me? I’ve always dealt with boos and such, which doesn’t
bother me at all. NASCAR fans are passionate about their drivers. Lately, though, the
line is being crossed and I wonder what the next headline will be?!
I am not a Gordon fan in the slightest, but all be damned before I’d
throw garbage, especially full cans of beer, onto the track. It can
injure people, including others in the stands. And it also isn’t
making any statement that Nascar’s going to listen to, except for
they have some trashy fans. So all you’re accomplishing is creating
more work for the track cleanup crew, who have certainly done you
no harm. These people are a disgrace.
Plus, how many times have I heard Nascar fans say “Not all Nascar
fans are crazy rednecks y’know.” Way to perpetuate the image. And
no, I’m not bashing rednecks;; that would stupid seeing as I am one
myself. But to say we’re not all CRAZY rednecks and then having
fans trashing the track and trying to injure the athletes? Hmmm,
looks like they’re making the rest of us look as stupid as they are.
AMEN!! I would be ashamed to call myself a fan if I acted like that at any sporting event! Especially
when the drivers themselves are pleading with fans not to act in such a way!
It is a bad thing, and a black-eye on the sport when morons throw things on the track.
But…. (You saw this coming from me…) I find it rather odd that in this statement, they only touched briefly on the fact that the safety of the drivers and other fans could be in danger, but they went into deep explanation in regards to the FINANCIAL consequences if it all. Um, I don’t mean to be brash, but Nextel is a crappy company anyway. I think stressing the issue of quality of life for the drivers, faculty and fans alike is worth more than friggin sponsorship deals and potential lawsuits.
Now, I could be wrong about this whole thing, but it is my opinion. I think we all have stated time and time again about how this is seriously an issue, but NASCAR.com could have done better than this dialog.
Very Well Put! I Am Glad To See This! Now Lets Hope The Adults Can Grow Up And Learn From This Before They Lose Some Privledges At The Tracks! Do You Really Want To Pay More Money To Be There?? Since It Is More Expencive Then To Bring You Own!!
All I have to say is Here Here! I totally agree.
It absolutely disgusts me that a race fan would throw anything onto a
race track. These people risk their lives out there and those of you who
feel the need to be that disrespectful are not race fans. I am not a
Gordon fan but fan or not, throwing items on the track for any reason is
a disgrace. It’s an embarrassment to all of us true racing fans who respect each and
every driver for what they do. If I ever see this done in person at my
home track, I will surely not sit by and let it happen.
I totally agree. I’ve been a Jeff fan since he raced in the carolina ford in the early 90’s. It did’nt suprise me a bit the way those Dale fans acted after jeff’s last 2 wins. I am from the Bristol area and I had’nt been to a race there in almost 4 years. As a matter of fact, March 2003 was my last race, so it has been 4 yrs. At least I can say, I have seen Jeff win all 5 of his wins here. What pushed me away? Dale fans acted like they did the last 2 weeks. It’s a damn shame that I could’nt even hear my favorite driver’s name being announced because of the rude Dale fans. After almost gettin into 2 huge fights, I thought to myself,, this ain’t worth it! I am female by the way and I can take care of myself if need be. I have had fans tell me to sit down cause I was blockin their view…they were sitting! I turned around and said..I am pullin for my driver who happens to be leading the race and I paid for my damn ticket like you did. If I don’t stand during jeff’s lead, then you sit your ass down if Jr. takes the lead! Deal? lol’s…I was cussed and threatened. I keep hearing that all Dale fans Sr. and Jr. are like that,,but let me say, that all Dale fans I have met are like that…even some of my former friends.
I said former..lol’s…I have no problem with fans pullin for whom they like, but when it comes to bad mouthing week after week,, it gets damn old! It’s sad like someone else said, that adults act like this in public. Grow up or stay home and watch the race in HD! I have been to Daytona 2 times since I been to bristol. I met some of the nicest people there and I attended the Bristol races for over 15 yrs. Sad huh? All records were meant to be broke. I was and still am a Bill Elloitt fan, but when Jeff became the 2nd driver ever to win the Winston Million,,,Bill fans went off and I took up for Jeff then. It made me happy that another driver could do that! Now I can say, my 2 all time fav. drivers own that crown and no one else ever will, cause there’s no more winston. There are by the way Jeff records that will never be beat or broke, like Jeff was the last driver to win at North wilksboro and the 1st driver the win at the Indy race! He tied Richard Petty’s record for most wins in a season…13!
Go Jeff Go!
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Im an Earnhardt Fan. I do not care for Jeff at all. BUT I do agree with yall, it’s getting really bad. I DONT care who your Driver is, or who you hate. It’s just stupid to throw things on the track, very child like. GROW UP People. You could hurt someone, or dont you ever care? Dale Sr would NOT want the Fans doing this & I know Dale Jr dont like it at all. So stop the crap & get back to enjoying the Race like people used to………GOOD Luck to ALL the Drivers…..Kelly in Texas
Comments are deleted that contain racial slurs…which will not be tolerated.
I am a Jeff Gordon fan. I think that anyone that throws things at any driver should be arrested. Also, Nascar should consider putting cameras in the stands if that is what it takes. No race car driver should have to be concerned for their safety because of a small percentage of #@?&*&%$#! When they areno longer allowed to take coolers in they will be punishing a lot of people for a few “sore losers”.
I hate it when fans throw things on the track. It’s so immature. I’m a Jr. fan and it makes me feel just aweful knowing that it’s mostly other Jr. fans throwing things a Jeff Gordon. I mean sure, I’m into the whole Jr./Gordon rivalry thing, I got Gordon fan friends and we’re always argueing about who’s better, lol, But I have enough decency and good sportsmanship that when Jeff wins a race I can congratulate him and move on with my life. That’s what being a NASCAR fan’s all about. It’s about loving good racing and respecting all the drivers no matter who your favorite is. People that through thing on the track are not true fans they’re just a** holes that make the drivers and track ofiicials lives harder and ruin the sport for everyone else.
i’m a earnhardt jr. fan and i don’t like gordon. i do agree with everyone that beer cans should not be thrown…toliet paper yes. actually thats pretty funny. i do know that being a full blown earnhardt sr. fan that i didn’t like seeing his record beat on what would have been his 56th b-day. and i think thats why the fans had the emotions they had. i will say again that i agree beer cans should never be thrown…but who ever got hurt with a roll of toliet paper…it is a way to take out frustration!LOL
if u hit me w/a can of beer at a race….im gonna kick YOUR ass
ARREST THEM!
YES SIR KEN they ALL need a thumpin
Plain and simple, doesn’t matter who won the damn race or how it was won, no one should ever throw anything on the track ever!! Not only is it wrong but it’s stupid, childish, immature, dangerous and unfair to the rest of the fans. And I know that if he were still with us today, Dale Sr. would have been the first one there to congradulate Gordon on his win because that is the kind of man he is. Records are made but they are also made to be broken and I’m sure he would be pretty pissed off with the way the fans reacted.
HEY ASSWHOLES QUIT RUINING THE NASCAR RACES AT THE TRACK THROWING STUFF ON THE TRACK IT COST OUR DRIVERS LOTS OF$$ TO FIX THE CARS AND IT TAKES THE FUN OUT OF OUR SPORT. LISTEN TO WHAT DALE JR SAID .. NOT ONLY A NASCAR DRIVER COULD GET HURT BUT A WOMAN ,MAN OR CHILD AS WELL COULD GET REALLY HURT. THINK ABOUT IT I BEEN TO A FEW RACES AND PEOPLE GET UP TO WALK IN THE FRONT TO GO TO THE RESTROOMS AND GO GET FOOD AND OTHER PLACES THEY CAN GET HIT AND GO TO THE HOSPITIAL. THEY SHOULD ALL GET ARRESTED AND FINED AND ALSO PAY FOR THE RACE CARS THEY DAMAGE. I AGREE WITH EVERYBODY ABOUT WHAT THEY SAY AND DALE JR..
This is a over the top article written by some overdramatic jackass. While he does have some good points and i agree that throwing beer on the track is innappropriate, is he serious that he thinks it could result in the track being closed? Apparently he knows little about econmoics…the track and the surrounding businesses….not to mention nascar in general makes way to much money for that to ever even be an option.
Well tell ya what…the first thing I learned in college is you don’t spill or throw a perfectly good beer! I don’t want to see anyone get hurt at a race. Also, you have to think of the first time fans, or fans like Champ Car Fan…to the first time fan, they see that and can’t possibly have a high opinion of ALL NASCAR fans…and someone from other racing styles sees that, that just reaffirms their opinion that NASCAR is low brow. Well I know that I’m not low brow, most fans aren’t…Like I’ve said time and time again, your guy wins celebrate, he loses, deal with it AND NOT by throwing stuff onto the track.
YOU HIT ME WITH A BEER CAN OR OTHER STUFF TOO AT A RACE TRACK IM GONNA KICK YOUR ASS TOO
i guess that Jr. asked for no beer cans to be thrown…but he is the one who brought up the toliet paper idea, which was a good one. i guess some of u can’t seem to get that point thru your heads! get over it already…its done and over…MOVE ON!!
People like that don’t even think about the children who are there at the track or home watching the race,hoping there favorite driver is going to win.There are so many little kids who watch nascar and have fun watching these race’s.To these idoit’s think about these little kid’s and what you as adult’s are puting in their little head’s’like there isn’t enough going on in the world now. GROW UP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Yell, curse, boo and even throw the middle finger….but keep
your beer in your hand. If ya think about it, booing, cursing,
and throwing the bird isn’t really gonna hurt anybody.
Might offend some folks, but it’s not dangerous.
No real race fan would ever throw something on the track or do anything to bring bad press to racing. A real race fan understands when you buy a ticket, there is no guarantee you will see a good race, let alone a race. A real race fan supports his/her racing through thick and then….no exceptions! Regardless of the outcome of one race!
That’s why I love sprint car racing so much…those folks are passionate about racing and one bad race doesn’t ever seem to change that.
Wow seriouslly I think fans like those who throw beer on the track seriouslly need to have thier @$$ kicked for wasting a perfectly good can of beer…..I really did like Jr.’s comment that beer is for drinking and toilet paper is for throwin’ it makes sense lol why waste a perfectly good beer on Jeff Gordon lol ….. I’m not a fan of Gordon by any means and I’m not a Jr. fan either I think some of Jr.’s fans need to grow up ya know. By the way I’m a Kasey Kahne fan and I think I would kick some ones @$$ if they threw any thing at him so I can see as to why Gordon’s fans are really pissed. Well my solution to this problem throw cans of beer (old beer that is) at those fans who threw it and see how they like it
I like your idea Liz lets throw cans at those that threw it.
why waste the beer first of all?
Second, respect your TRACK. if it’s a home track you’re at, freakin respect it, dont trash it.
and third.. whoever mentioned about the article..
you are right..hardly talks about driver’s safety, but they go deep into the financial aspect.
::rolls eyes::
Obviously there are more fans who thought that was a stupid thing to have done. Let’s continue to disgrace those idiots who threw the beer cans and make them realize they are a small group and we are many!
I AM a huge Gordon fan. Have been ever since Richard Petty retired and I had to find a new driver to pull for. But when I go to the races with my friends, we are a mixture of Gordon, Harvid, Stewart, Junior and Edwards fans. And in Atlanta, anyone who happens to sit amongst a pod of Junior fans has a hard time enjoying the race UNLESS Junior is doing well. When he’s doing well, everyone can enoy the race, when he isn’t, his fans make it miserable for those sitting around them.
One way to help this is to have a segregated section for Earnhardt fans so they can all be happy together, or sad together, whichever. I pay my good money to enjoy the race just like everyone else, and I don’t appreciate my fun being ruined by poor losers, and even poorer winners.
Not a Gordon fan - think he’s weenie - but what if they were to ban alcohol from the tracks?
I don’t drink while watching at home unless we have a party, but going to races….a big part of it
is drinking. It wouldn’t be nearly as much fun. God forbid something was to happen to Gordon, it would
be a boring sport if everybody liked everybody that was out there. I need someone to dislike, and Gordon,
Johnson, Harvick and the Busch brothers fill that nicely. But, the sport wouldn’t be the same without
them!
I learned my lesson with watching my actions the first time I went
to Watkins four years ago. Unbeknownst to me, there was an oh say
8 year old boy in front of me, completely decked out in Jeff Gordon,
and I made the poor dear cry. Now, I know the “But hell, I payed
for my ticket too, I have a right to say what I want” bit, but you
just always have to watch yourself at the races. Think about how
much you hate being sat near the dickheads even at the local tracks.
You don’t wanna be the person ruining someone else’s day. And I can’t
even wrap my brain around the idea of throwing anything, especially
full cans of beer, downward. There’s people sitting in front of you
for god’s sake. If you’re that much of a prick you are capable of
that when drunk, don’t drink at the races. And if you could bring
yourself to do that sober, might I suggest you check for your
nearest local mental institution.
I don’t, however, agree with the people saying you should be
relatively emotionless about your driver’s fare in the race. If Jr’s
doing bad, I’m gonna groan about it. If he’s doing good, you can
bet your bottom dollar I’m gonna be cheering. Same as if Johnson’s
leading, I’m not gonna be too happy. Part of racing is the fan’s
reactions. Without that racing wouldn’t be, well, racing. This
particular instance is just taking it over the top. But saying you
shouldn’t pull for your own driver or boo another is ridiculous;;
Just like the drivers, fans are allowed to have their emotions.
Instead of complaining about fans getting amped for racing and having
reactions, why don’t you be less sensitive about it and show your
own emotions too? I have no problem watching a Gordon fan celebrating,
cuz I know that’d be me if Jr were in victory lane.
I dont have a problem with people celebrating the win of Jeff Gordon becuase I am a huge fan
of his but I dont think that throwing beer cans was right what so ever. It could have done
some major damage.