The View from Here: The Business of NASCAR

Yes, as I was quoted yesterday in Dustin Long’s column appearing in the Virginian-Pilot, “perception is reality” and the reality for the non-NASCAR fans is that we’re all “bubbas”.

Why is it that the “bubbas” in the stands simply can’t stomach their driver not winning and thus have to act like Neanderthals?

I don’t care that the Philadelphia Eagles’ new stadium has a jail; we don’t have jails at our race tracks. We don’t need these ______ (fill in the blank as you choose) throwing beer containers on the track — what’s next, didn’t like that pass by the “24” so we’ll throw something at him the next time he goes by? Then Tony Stewart would indeed see debris on the track.

The fact is that we, as fans, must police ourselves. No amount of cajoling by track owners prior to a race or by drivers and owners after the race will change fan behavior if we, who sit next to these ____ (your choice again), are allowed to throw things at drivers simply because (1) they don’t like the driver, (2) are inebriated, or (3) both.

So if you’re reading this blog and love the sport of NASCAR, take a stand this weekend if you’re in Richmond. And if not Richmond, then wherever you attend a race. To paraphrase our Virginia tourist theme, NASCAR is for Lovers, not for bubbas! Let’s go racing, boys!

Jon