Driver respect - Try some

Shaffer88man · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:18 pm

I agree with this 100% My nephew doesn't really want to go to the grove anymore because everytime Fred gets in a wreck, there is a group of "adults" jumping up and cheering before they even see if he's alright. He looks at me and says "you don't cheer for anyone wrecking, they could be hurt." It really does get old, luckily this week we had a very knowledgeable older gentleman sitting by us, so no issues.

Shaffer88man · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 9:20 pm

Btw...I'm not a Fred fan, but I'll cheer as loud as anyone if he wins a future this year..the haters have turned me into one!!! :bdf:

Cali · **Joined:** Sat Dec 01, 2007 4:29 pm **Posts:** 318

After working with different teams the past 8years years or so on and off I have certainly come to formulate an opinion on each driver in both of the two big divisions that run in he area. As I have grown I have come to appreciate most more than I ever have before but have also had my opinion swayed the other direction by a few. As a fan now I always try and make sure the drivers involved are OK before blurting out a comment but for some people that doesn't happen. They wear their hearts on their sleeve (especially when drinking) and could care less what others think of them. When I see this I just try and remember that it is a sport with diehard fans just like football or baseball or hockey. I never want to see anyone hurt but there are drivers that I am happy to see exit early lol. So please remember that before casting the first stone make sure u have never cheered when u have seen a high profile athlete go down throughout the course of an event. I am not trying to defend these people just trying to put it into perspective. By the way I am a Fred fan despite being part of the Dietrich crew the last two years so it was not me cheering lol.

Shaffer88man · **Posted:** Mon Apr 23, 2012 10:48 pm

*If he wins in the future...wiseguy :laughing7:

Just finished a 15 page paper my grammar button is off.

And yes, I realize somebody will always feel one way or another about a driver. I just feel the appropriate time to show it isn't after a violent crash. This doesn't compare as well to other sport because in some cases, auto racing is much more dangerous.

theprofessor · **Joined:** Wed Sep 02, 2009 6:25 pm **Posts:** 25

Some members of the Fisher family do sit in the turn 4 area at Lincoln, but please do not confuse them with some others who cheer for Scott in that section. Scott's family has seen him take his fair share of ugly wrecks and understand the risks associated with racing.

safety1 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:28 am

Wax wrote:

:dontknow: if theres a right or a wrong in this,but i do know it's been going on for as long as i have been going to races (1973) reckon it ain't gonna change anytime soon,some folks are just arsewoles,'specially when fueled up on alcyhol,tho i must admit,back in the day i quite enjoyed seeing Larry Jackson and or Don Comerer pull into the pits during a heat or a feature. :handoverhead:

I remember when I was very young seeing my grandmother cry when her son Larry Jackson was booed and people cheering when he broke or flipped. I always thought it was the "Silver Spring crowd" and when we moved up to the 410 division it was a different group of people. Well it seems that type of mentality has resurfaced and is really getting out of hand. Many racing families are pretty much immune to the booing but it really does leave a lasting effect on the kids. We all just need to appreciate all the hard work and money that goes into this sport of racing. I have witnessed first hand that when there is a severe injury or fatality there is no closer family than the entire "racing family" That is the part of racing that I have grown to appreciate and love, not all of those so called "fans" that really haven't a clue.

Bill Mc · **Joined:** Wed Feb 13, 2008 6:17 am **Posts:** 4989

SLINKMASTERC wrote:

I know you're right Bill. I'll tell you what I've heard from the stands.
I sit near The Fisher Family of the 358 #21 at Lincoln. They always cheer when Rahmer, or some other drivers crash without know if everyone is ok. I have also heard them give other people a hard time if they cheer when Scott crashes. It's total crap.

I have seen many different race teams family members cheer when different drivers wreck. Unlike the Moral minority here on the message board it happens a lot more then they think. I have been known to get wrapped up a race or two in my time and I have friends and family that race. It happens and for people to act like it don't is absurd.

EdC · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 6:51 am

I believe alcohol consumption can trigger a lot of that behavior. Myself, having seen two drivers die in their cars at Williams Grove, I worry about every driver who crashes, for one of those fatal crashes didn't look all that bad - it was a twin to the one in the third turn that Steve Kinser walked away a little sore from last year. When I learn over the radio that the drivers are okay, I then feel for the car owner's wallet.

Ed

luvracing · **Joined:** Wed Jun 01, 2011 8:47 am **Posts:** 189

To hear that even a racing family in the stands displays this type of behaviour really makes you wonder. What if it was Scott, how would they feel if everyone stood up and cheered. I too am happy when someone has to pull in the pits, especially during a close points race, but never wish harm to any driver. Without them there is no entertainment. Reminder that Fred has two kids working on his car. They are his sons! The achohol I assume makes folks braver than they would be normally, but is not a license to be an idiot and wish folks harm. Defending the behaviour does not seem right at all and makes me wonder why it would be defended. I am a rahmer,dewease, hodnett, wilt, buckwalter, pittman, layton fan,krimes and a few more. Not a montieth fan, mainly because his fans were part of the crowd cheering when Fred wrecked, but I can promise you that if the same happened to him I would not be cheering, but praying he was OK. Beneath it all they are human and most likely great folks to talk to, but do not deserve that kind of ignorance from fans. And no I do not cheer when an athlete is hurt in a game. Kids are impressionable and they see this type of hatred from we as adults and i use the term loosely for some I feel for them. They should look up to us, not see the ignorance.

Posse 19 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:12 am

I think some of you are making a big deal of a bit of nothing...

Do you really think people are cheering because they want the driver hurt? no...
Does that happen at other sporting events...yes..Much more than here!!

JTR13 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 9:20 am

I just think it's the nature of the beast... It happens every where and with every form of racing, I've seen it at sprint car races, NASCAR races, heck I've even seen people cheer at the horse track if the horse stumples and dumps the jockey... Is it right, no, but I honestly think the cheering that you hear is more along the lines of being happy that the driver is out of the race so it's 1 less person their driver has to compete against, not because they want to see someone hurt... Truth be told because of their shape, weight, arodynamics, and speed, sprint cars take some of the most wildest rides compared to any other form a racing out there and that may add to the entertainment value for some, not me, but certainly for some others... Don't take my words as me defending these people because I certainly am not...

racebug · **Joined:** Fri Feb 03, 2006 9:29 am **Posts:** 640

I don't remember the year, but at Silver Spring Howie Locke was in a tremendous fire. One guy sitting in the grandstand was yelling "burn baby burn". Just wondering if you thought this guy wanted Howie hurt or was just glad he was out of the race. God love Jack Frazier, as he announced over the PA that if he was younger he would come down and punch that guy out. I have to say I don't mind seeing drivers pull into the pit early, but I would NEVER CHEER for an accident. Things can happen too quickly in racing. That might be my driver the next time.

JTR13 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:19 am

Ok, maybe you didn't get what I was saying or maybe I wasn't clear enough... I was not speaking about every person at the track, yes there will always be a handful of drunkin a-holes no matter what sporting event you go too... And this guy was cleary the designated a-hole of that night...

DavidM · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 10:44 am

I just believe some people have no class at all. It's just too bad some of them go to races just to see crashes!

JTR13 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 24, 2012 11:39 am

DavidM wrote:

I just believe some people have no class at all. It's just too bad some of them go to races just to see crashes!

Agreed!!

Williams Grove Speedway Forums

Driver respect - Try some

Who is online