In the stands today at the Texas Motorplex (3 Viewers)

[travis1960]

My experience in the stands today at the Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.

For the most part drag racing fans are a good bunch of people. And then there are "them". You know "them", that small bunch of people who just have no regard for those around "them". We have all had our encounter with "them" at one time or another in the stands at the races. Today I was almost surrounded by "them".

Let's start with the three "jumpers" sitting in front of me. One directly in front, one to the left front, one to the right front.Their names were Jake, Bubba and Leroy. Now I don't know these guys but I know their names because every time two cars would run, Jake would say; "Bubba, did you see that"! To which Bubba would reply; "That was something Jake...you like that Leroy"? To which Leroy would reply; "Wooo Hooo"! I don't know if Leroy could actually speak, because this is all he did. Now I mentioned before that they were "jumpers". You know, every time two cars leave the line.....they all three jump to their feet. But they were not just your regular "jumpers", they were "drunk jumpers".

On to the person sitting to my right. A twelve or thirteen year old boy with no interest in the races. He has a portable DVD player that he is watching music videos on and stomping his feet to the music, thus jarring the bleachers with every stomp of his feet. This was non stop.

The guy directly behind me was on his cell phone giving play by play of all the action to someone who evidently couldn't be there in person. It was pretty annoying. I turned around at one point to see if it was Bob Frey sitting there, but it wasn't.

Now to the only bright spot in this hole experience. To my left was a gorgeous blonde with big.....well, let's just say she smelled real good. Alas, this one bright spot didn't last long as the dude with her must not have cared for my glances, because they soon switched seats. Sigh.

And to top off the whole experience, this photo will tell the tale of how bad my luck was today.

That's right, couldn't even see the finish line.

I suffered through the first round of qualifying and then I had had enough and just came home. And I am not going to the finals tomorrow, I am just going to watch it on television.

 

[paoldtimer]

When I first started reading your post I thought I was back at Englishtown...we had Leroy, Dontrell and Jamequah..betting $$$ on every round, every division...had to stand up as soon as the tree went green OMG...I couldn't take it anymore and 1-2-3 we all yelled sit your @$$e$ down!!! They were a bit rude for awhile but took the hint and decided to move on.

I didn't pay $40 to watch betting...

 

[NHRAMike]

Travis, that was absolutely hysterical, when I read your post back to my wife, she just about died laughing when I told her you thought that Bob Frey was behind you. Seriously though, it really sucks that you had such a miserable day, especially when you add up the cost of tickets, parking, food, drink etc. You ought to reconsider about going tomorrow, after all, what are the odds of Jake, Bubba and Leroy being in front of you again? Maybe you could find a better crowd in the GA seats.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Travis,
Permit me to share one of my little secrets with you. Certain Quick-Trip type service stations have awesome big fat thick plastic straws. One would think this to be a waste of plastic but, on the contrary, for those of us older than 40 these are best used as pea-shooters. A variety of ordinance can be loaded in the mouth and blasted into the unsuspecting Leroys of the world who refuse to sit down, use good manners and language or drink responsibly. A stealth lift of the straw to your mouth, a quick blast of the ordinance of choice and "Wallah" you have begun an irritation that will equal the playing field. This is especially effective for the "watch-me" arrogant jerks found in all stands. Don't limit your use of such valuable tools to drag racing stands when it's effectiveness can be utilized in movie theaters to the head of the guy on the cell phone or to brightly redden the ear of somebody who won't sit down and stop dancing at a concert while blocking the view of many others. It's even been known to effectively level the playing field of with motivational speakers who find themselves trying to save our sorry selves from mediocrity. Yes, the pea-shooter of yesteryear is now the Leroy Toy of today!

 

[The Counterfeiter]

Travis,
Permit me to share one of my little secrets with you. Certain Quick-Trip type service stations have awesome big fat thick plastic straws. One would think this to be a waste of plastic but, on the contrary, for those of us older than 40 these are best used as pea-shooters. A variety of ordinance can be loaded in the mouth and blasted into the unsuspecting Leroys of the world who refuse to sit down, use good manners and language or drink responsibly. A stealth lift of the straw to your mouth, a quick blast of the ordinance of choice and "Wallah" you have begun an irritation that will equal the playing field. This is especially effective for the "watch-me" arrogant jerks found in all stands. Don't limit your use of such valuable tools to drag racing stands when it's effectiveness can be utilized in movie theaters to the head of the guy on the cell phone or to brightly redden the ear of somebody who won't sit down and stop dancing at a concert while blocking the view of many others. It's even been known to effectively level the playing field of with motivational speakers who find themselves trying to save our sorry selves from mediocrity. Yes, the pea-shooter of yesteryear is now the Leroy Toy of today!

Of course, it doesn't hurt when an angry Leroy turns around to attack, only to find himself facing three 6' 5' very fit Wannabees! -

 

[BaldyLochs]

No, no no.... Umbrellas and Cowboy hats have no place in any paid spectator seating area - and I don't care if it's pouring rain at the Superbowl, or you're at the Don Gay/Tuff Hedeman Mesquite Championship Rodeo World Finals.

Those people should be escorted off the property and given a full refund at the ticket booth, PERIOD. OMG, I would come unglued if some idiot had an umbrella in front of me for what those seats cost. Same goes for the little innocent kids, with no earplugs or sunscreen... who are running on the bleachers like it's a set of damn monkey bars (who by the way, are whining all day to thier Maw or Paw ....wearing the black Harley shirt & grey pony tale.... begging for them to buy them a Coke..... while all the while he has a steady full glass of beer all friggin day. Ugh!!! PEOPLE!!!!!

 

[Prestaged]

Travis:

Your experience today is very similar to the one I had at the Gators this year on Saturday. Sad that a few self-centered ignorant people can ruin the day for so many others. In addition to having idiots around us in the stands, we also had them in the parking lot when we were trying to tailgate. Next year we are going to try the Top Eliminator Club for the first time. Kinda' pricey, but I am hoping the "neighbors" will be civil.

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

Of course, it doesn't hurt when an angry Leroy turns around to attack, only to find himself facing three 6' 5' very fit Wannabees! -

Good stealth operations need no size at all since most everyone around you will agree to their expendibility and maintain your secrecy. Oh, and David is another son between Buzzz and Paul making four of us.

 

[The Counterfeiter]

No, no no.... Umbrellas and Cowboy hats have no place in any paid spectator seating area - and I don't care if it's pouring rain at the Superbowl, or you're at the Don Gay/Tuff Hedeman Mesquite Championship Rodeo World Finals.

Those people should be escorted off the property and given a full refund at the ticket booth, PERIOD. OMG, I would come unglued if some idiot had an umbrella in front of me for what those seats cost. Same goes for the little innocent kids, with no earplugs or sunscreen... who are running on the bleachers like it's a set of damn monkey bars (who by the way, are whining all day to thier Maw or Paw ....wearing the black Harley shirt & grey pony tale.... begging for them to buy them a Coke..... while all the while he has a steady full glass of beer all friggin day. Ugh!!! PEOPLE!!!!!

The only motorsports venue where I will sit in the stands is the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. I was fortunate to meet a retired neighbor who has had tickets for the 500 since 1983 and tickets for every NASCAR Brickyard race. The family that sits in front of us at the 500 has had tickets for the last 62 races! We are surrounded by very knowledgeable people who are there to appreciate both races. That's all great, but here is the point.
There are literaly thousands of "Yellow Shirt" IMS security employees at both races - they are highly trained and motivated. We know several of them who have a highly prized gold badge that indicates 40 years of service. Bottom line . . . obnoxious drunken behavior is not tolerated. If you don't cooperate with being removed by the Yellow Shirts, you will meet the Indiana Highway Patrol very quickly. Obviously, this will never happen at an NHRA race but somone better wake up to provide a better experience
for fans.

 

[dragboatphoto]

I just move too a different seat.....although that was pretty difficult today...I dont think I have ever seen that many people there on a saturday.

 

[RAPID]

Man I hate the "Stander upper guys" if everyone would sit, we could all see everything!

However, after reading your report,

#1. I agree with you.

#2. Are you kidding me??? We get told about the blonde,,,but no photos,,,,we don't get told about the umbrella,,,but have a photo if it???? Wouldn't you say you did that backwards??

Rapid

 

[vegasnitro]

Of course, it doesn't hurt when an angry Leroy turns around to attack, only to find himself facing three 6' 5' very fit Wannabees! -

No Kidding!!! I am 6 foot 3 and 200 pounds and I feel like a midget around Doc, Buzz and Paul.

Back to the lecture at hand, chuckleheads like these are why I always buy GA tickets and stand at the fence. If I paid for reserve seats and had to deal with that all day I would likely come unglued. There are several good fence spots at ANY track where with some willingness to move around and familiarize yourself with the venue you should be able to see the starting line, finish line and Motel 6 vision.

 

[scooter]

Isn't It legal to shoot people like that In Texas?

 

["Dr. Dirt"]

You wimps! Get the dang pea-shooter and clear out your area of choice!

 

[turbo ken]

Allthough not everyone can do this, I won't go to a race anymore unless I get to help someone out with race their car in some way, you get to see the race's from a totaly different view, like standing on the starting line (or close to it), the return road, etc.

 

[Tom]

Travis,
Permit me to share one of my little secrets with you. Certain Quick-Trip type service stations have awesome big fat thick plastic straws. One would think this to be a waste of plastic but, on the contrary, for those of us older than 40 these are best used as pea-shooters. A variety of ordinance can be loaded in the mouth and blasted into the unsuspecting Leroys of the world who refuse to sit down, use good manners and language or drink responsibly. A stealth lift of the straw to your mouth, a quick blast of the ordinance of choice and "Wallah" you have begun an irritation that will equal the playing field. This is especially effective for the "watch-me" arrogant jerks found in all stands. Don't limit your use of such valuable tools to drag racing stands when it's effectiveness can be utilized in movie theaters to the head of the guy on the cell phone or to brightly redden the ear of somebody who won't sit down and stop dancing at a concert while blocking the view of many others. It's even been known to effectively level the playing field of with motivational speakers who find themselves trying to save our sorry selves from mediocrity. Yes, the pea-shooter of yesteryear is now the Leroy Toy of today!

ROTFLMAO!

Bobby, I love the way you think man! GREAT idea.

 

[turbo ken]

My experience in the stands today at the Motorplex in Ennis, Texas.

For the most part drag racing fans are a good bunch of people. And then there are "them". You know "them", that small bunch of people who just have no regard for those around "them". We have all had our encounter with "them" at one time or another in the stands at the races. Today I was almost surrounded by "them".

Let's start with the three "jumpers" sitting in front of me. One directly in front, one to the left front, one to the right front.Their names were Jake, Bubba and Leroy. Now I don't know these guys but I know their names because every time two cars would run, Jake would say; "Bubba, did you see that"! To which Bubba would reply; "That was something Jake...you like that Leroy"? To which Leroy would reply; "Wooo Hooo"! I don't know if Leroy could actually speak, because this is all he did. Now I mentioned before that they were "jumpers". You know, every time two cars leave the line.....they all three jump to their feet. But they were not just your regular "jumpers", they were "drunk jumpers".

On to the person sitting to my right. A twelve or thirteen year old boy with no interest in the races. He has a portable DVD player that he is watching music videos on and stomping his feet to the music, thus jarring the bleachers with every stomp of his feet. This was non stop.

The guy directly behind me was on his cell phone giving play by play of all the action to someone who evidently couldn't be there in person. It was pretty annoying. I turned around at one point to see if it was Bob Frey sitting there, but it wasn't.

Now to the only bright spot in this hole experience. To my left was a gorgeous blonde with big.....well, let's just say she smelled real good. Alas, this one bright spot didn't last long as the dude with her must not have cared for my glances, because they soon switched seats. Sigh.

And to top off the whole experience, this photo will tell the tale of how bad my luck was today.

That's right, couldn't even see the finish line.

I suffered through the first round of qualifying and then I had had enough and just came home. And I am not going to the finals tomorrow, I am just going to watch it on television.

You post a pic of the umbrella but not the blonde with the big uns, get your priorities straight.

 

[Too many to list here]

I had the trio of yellers sitting behind me at the Grove.Every 10 minutes they would yell out "HEY STUUUUPID"!! and see who would look up at them.I was funny the first 78 times but..........
Oh yeah these guys looked to be about 40 years old!!!

 

[d'kid]

Have reserved seat all three days for Richmond... Doesn't mean I'm gonna sit in them.... I like the fence at 660.... Seats are low... first or second row depending on the day... so life is good... don't have to worry about someone standing in front of me....

 

[none]

That's one good thing about Chicago is that if someone is standing they will yell at that person to sit down. Of course there is more incentive for people to sit down if the seats have backs on them.