One thing we all, as race fans, have to understand is that while the drivers and crews faces dangers out on the track, there are still some dangers that spectators face.
And that doesn’t include being inebriated and attempting to negotiate the bleachers with a tray full of beers. When you have cars hurtling down the track at high speed or involved in a high speed crash, something can come off and be hurtled through the air at quite the velocity.
We had a Claimer lose a tire in Turn 2; the tire bounced right over the barrier and headed directly for the pit spectators’ stand striking one of the braces beside the steps. If anyone would’ve had the inclination to dose off they were likely to experience a very rude awakening. But this incident sent me back to a race day back in ’69.
A C-class stock car lost a front wheel which rolled (so did the car) and bounced nearly clearing the 15 foot chain link fence. Spectators lined the fence and needless to say, when they saw that wheel headed their way, they scattered like sheep.
Of course there is the story about a piece of axle being hurtled through the air to skewer the roof of someone’s Grand Cherokee out in the parking lot. Insurance paid up???
We all face dangers each day and a day at the track is merely another one of those. But we still show up to get the adrenalin pumping and to cheer on our favourites. We all plan on getting home in one piece and most times it happens. And we salute those who do everything they can to ensure us the privilege of watching