Fan access? (1 Viewer)

[Gutter Brain]

I probably shouldn't say it, but I had the NASCAR race on (which usually means naptime, and did for a while). While there was a red flag a fan ran to Matt Kenseth for an autograph. The announcer said that is one of the great things about NASCAR, the drivers are so accessible to the fans. I was like, "What the....???"
I am guessing he hasn't been to the drags or anything other than NASCAR. Did anybody else catch that? This is just another reason I love the drags.

 

[The Counterfeiter]

I probably shouldn't say it, but I had the NASCAR race on (which usually means naptime, and did for a while). While there was a red flag a fan ran to Matt Kenseth for an autograph. The announcer said that is one of the great things about NASCAR, the drivers are so accessible to the fans. I was like, "What the....???"
I am guessing he hasn't been to the drags or anything other than NASCAR. Did anybody else catch that? This is just another reason I love the drags.

You might want to explain that the fan jumped the armco and ran up to the car ON THE TRACK - probably got a ride home -
NHRA drivers aren't doing anything while waiting for their cars to be fired . .
think one of our favorite inebriates might try for an autograph in the staging lanes?

 

[Gutter Brain]

Good point Jim. I could feel myself being too long winded already. I couldn't believe that when I saw him run over. Hey, he probably won't have to worry about traffic on the way home right?

 

[Sully]

Even media members have to schedule driver meetings and NASCAR goes to great extremes to eliminate any chances of fans and drivers crossing paths except at planned autograph events. The drivers are flown in and out by helicopter, stay in privacy-fenced enclaves, and go to and from the garage area via enclosed walkways not open to the public. The closest most fans get to their favorite driver is a cardboard standup in the grocery store. Didn't used to be that way, but it's big business now and the drivers are assets (or asses) that need to be protected and access is carefully rationed and controlled.

 

[jpee]

Even media members have to schedule driver meetings and NASCAR goes to great extremes to eliminate any chances of fans and drivers crossing paths except at planned autograph events. The drivers are flown in and out by helicopter, stay in privacy-fenced enclaves, and go to and from the garage area via enclosed walkways not open to the public. The closest most fans get to their favorite driver is a cardboard standup in the grocery store. Didn't used to be that way, but it's big business now and the drivers are assets (or asses) that need to be protected and access is carefully rationed and controlled.

Wow Larry that how I'm treated now the Judge said with good behaver I'd get out in 2 yrs.. They have electric fences.. Dogs, and guards with guns.... Maybe I should change my profession

 

[N2Nitro]

I probably shouldn't say it, but I had the NASCAR race on (which usually means naptime, and did for a while). While there was a red flag a fan ran to Matt Kenseth for an autograph. The announcer said that is one of the great things about NASCAR, the drivers are so accessible to the fans. I was like, "What the....???"
I am guessing he hasn't been to the drags or anything other than NASCAR. Did anybody else catch that? This is just another reason I love the drags.

I heard the same thing, made me choke on my coke.

 

[Gutter Brain]

Thankfully I had put my drink down just before that. Thanks Larry, I didn't even realize it was THAT bad.

 

[The Counterfeiter]

Even media members have to schedule driver meetings and NASCAR goes to great extremes to eliminate any chances of fans and drivers crossing paths except at planned autograph events. The drivers are flown in and out by helicopter, stay in privacy-fenced enclaves, and go to and from the garage area via enclosed walkways not open to the public. The closest most fans get to their favorite driver is a cardboard standup in the grocery store. Didn't used to be that way, but it's big business now and the drivers are assets (or asses) that need to be protected and access is carefully rationed and controlled.

We had pit/garage passes for the Brickyard 400 - I've been in the garage for a lot of NASCAR races and have never seen it this restricted. The only time we saw drivers was when they were escorted under very heavy security from their motorhomes through Gasoline Alley to the pits. There is an area perhaps 50 feet wide between the garage and entrance to the pits that is accessable to fans - it was an absolute mob scene.
Saw a few people who had "Race Pit" passes (apparently a higher level than ours) who were very upset when the pits were cleared before drivers went to their cars.
A lot of discussion on Wind Tunnel tonight about declining NASCAR attendance and TV audience - not too hard to figure this out!

 

[Ted]

This is how it could be for us too, if NHRA gets "taken to the next level".

 

[mike]

This is how it could be for us too, if NHRA gets "taken to the next level".

Yo Ted,

If that ever happens and we as fans can't go in the pits, I don't know about you and others, but I wouldn't be attending many races!

 

[PJ]

Interesting note. Since the first year spike that nascar saw when they went to their chase system, they have constantly lost viewers.

I was just reading in the paper over the weekend that the numbers are down 9% from last year and 20% from 2 years ago. And yet we are now copying them......

 

[none]

NASCAR has setup all of there drivers to ROCKSTARS.

 

[Erik]

There always seems to be a pesky little chain link fence in between fans and drivers a NA$CAR races...unless of course you buy one of those pit passes

It is just as bad at champ car races...I got free tickets w/ pit pass and i was one of the "lucky" ones who got to venture into the pit enclave, and the whole time i was in there, I think i only saw one driver signing...Really makes you wonder where these series' priorites are