Talladega bans 14 fans for life

[R. Mears]

Talladega track bans 14 fans for life

May 1, 2007

TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) -- Talladega Superspeedway has permanently banned 14 fans from buying tickets at the speedway following their arrests Sunday for throwing objects on the track after Jeff Gordons victory in the Aaron's 499.
The fans were charged with disorderly conduct Sunday and posted bond at the track's jail facilities, Talladega County Sheriff Jerry Studdard said. Track officials can't prevent the 14 fans from buying tickets through a third party.



A number of fans began throwing beer cans after Gordon won the race under caution, passing the late Dale Earnhardt -- a Talladega favorite -- in career wins.

Talladega officials had issued warnings before the race that fans caught throwing objects over the fence separating the grandstands from the track would be arrested.

Superspeedway president Grant Lynch said identifying other fans who threw objects was harder than he had imagined.

``At a baseball game where everybody is sitting down, it's easy to see someone stand up and throw an object onto the field,'' Lynch said. ``I was looking at a section that probably had 300 people in it, and they were all standing up, waving their arms and their caps, and I couldn't pinpoint where any of the objects were coming from.'' Track officials added security following a similar incident after Gordon's victory in 2004, and said they will review Sunday's incident to see if more changes are needed. Fans are allowed to bring small coolers into the track, and also can buy canned beverages at concession stands.

[call_me_andrew]

Talladega officials had issued warnings before the race that fans caught throwing objects over the fence separating the grandstands from the track would be arrested.

But throwing objects at other fans in the grandstands...?

[R. Mears]

When ever there's alcohol at an event weather it's a football,baseball,concerts or the races there will always be a few village idiots that can't handle the booze. I think this is a good start to curb the "rowdy" fans rude actions.

[dont_be_jack]

When ever there's alcohol at an event weather it's a football,baseball,concerts or the races there will always be a few village idiots that can't handle the booze. I think this is a good start to curb the "rowdy" fans rude actions.

Can't handle the booze or had too much?

[R. Mears]

Can't handle the booze or had too much?
I see it almost every time I go to the track weather it's the drag races,IRL or NASCAR. Then some I see some drunks that don't cause any trouble either.
In joliet where I go(don't go to Indy anymore)you can only bring in one unopened bottle of water. Which is what I do. But you can buy all the beer you want for $6 each. Way too much for me. I'll have a few in the parking lot while tailgating and maybe a few after the race if I'm not driving. I don't even throw cans/trash down outside the track. I bring my own trash bag and pitch it in the barrels there or take it back home with me. Just the way it should be IMO.

[colinspooky]

Good to see NASCAR reads this forum, and saw my post saying they should be banned. Who said they don't take notice of the public.

Blind hatred like that has no place in any sport, and I'm in England where the football fans are among some of the most violent in the world.

[R. Mears]

Good to see NASCAR reads this forum, and saw my post saying they should be banned. Who said they don't take notice of the public.
Where's this at?

[Mark in Oshawa]

All I know the people who will whine when coolers and beer being brought in the coolers are banned are likely some of the same idiots tossing the cans.

I like a beer or two at the track, and I would NOT have to be forced to buy beer from concessions, but damn it, these jerks will bring this it about....

[colinspooky]

Where's this at?

Here you go mr mears - scroll down a bit


http://www.motorsportforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116980&page=2

[R. Mears]

Colin, did you mean you called the ban before it happened? I was also thinking that some "NASCAR official" made a post here in relation to your post for banning "idiots"?

Thanks, and good call. I've said the same thing many times. I'm just glad they're finally acting on it before it gets way out of hand.

[harvick#1]

All I know the people who will whine when coolers and beer being brought in the coolers are banned are likely some of the same idiots tossing the cans.

I like a beer or two at the track, and I would NOT have to be forced to buy beer from concessions, but damn it, these jerks will bring this it about....

yeah its only 6 bucks a beer :p : you can buy a 24 pack for that price :mark:

[colinspooky]

Colin, did you mean you called the ban before it happened? I was also thinking that some "NASCAR official" made a post here in relation to your post for banning "idiots"?

Thanks, and good call. I've said the same thing many times. I'm just glad they're finally acting on it before it gets way out of hand.

Yes I called it before. And no, I don't think anyone who directly works for the sport would ever visit somewhere like this.

And yes, I have also said this many times - and also glad something has happened. Before the Busch race yesterday they were saying these fans could also be banned from other tracks. Some have already said that, and now the owners of Talledega are urging other owners to say the same thing.

Good, is what I say.

[R. Mears]

Yes I called it before. And no, I don't think anyone who directly works for the sport would ever visit somewhere like this.

And yes, I have also said this many times - and also glad something has happened. Before the Busch race yesterday they were saying these fans could also be banned from other tracks. Some have already said that, and now the owners of Talledega are urging other owners to say the same thing.

Good, is what I say.
Too bad more don't think like this. Especially the morons throwing the ship.

[Mark in Oshawa]

I bet we don't hear much more of it and I bet they don't get banned anywhere else. What is more, they cant buy the tickets, but they are not banned from the tracks. I would love to see ISC put them on a banned list as I said in an earlier post. No, NASCAR is hoping this all goes away, and they will maybe put more visible security in the stands at Dega next time, but I bet they don't really act until it becomes clear that they have no choice but to get REALLY tough....

[Cindy_AL]

Most security workers at the tracks are not even employed in law enforcement. They are paid about $8.00 an hr and are not properly trained to handle much more than escorting disorderly fans out the gate. Most are just there to put alittle extra money in their pocket. All the off duty police officers are outside the track where you usually have the more serious problems.

[blakebeatty]

I they cant buy the tickets, but they are not banned from the tracks. I

that's where my nextel vision/free t-shirt solution comes in

they need to put their banned persons photos on the Nextel Vision during the race, and ask each person to look to each side of them. if they can identify one of them and alert security, they get a free t-shirt!

[Cindy_AL]

They will probably be on the infield camping area next time. They would never be caught that way.

[blakebeatty]

"Track officials announced today that the 14 individuals charged with disorderly conduct for throwing items on the race track following the April 29 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series event at Talladega Superspeedway have been permanently banned from attending races at LOWE'S MOTOR SPEEDWAY. "