{"id":5874,"date":"2018-08-23T07:59:43","date_gmt":"2018-08-23T11:59:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/?p=5874"},"modified":"2018-08-23T08:01:43","modified_gmt":"2018-08-23T12:01:43","slug":"nascar-unruly-fans-rear-their-ugly-heads-at-bristol","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/motorsports\/2018\/08\/23\/nascar-unruly-fans-rear-their-ugly-heads-at-bristol\/","title":{"rendered":"NASCAR – Unruly Fans Rear Their Ugly Heads at Bristol"},"content":{"rendered":"

On a night that should have left all NASCAR<\/strong> fans feeling entertained and happy even, about a sport most of us love, it turned on a dime.\u00a0 That turn could have proven really ugly if not for security personnel at Bristol Motor Speedway<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

NASCAR – Unruly Fans Rear Their Ugly Heads at Bristol<\/h1>\n

Kyle Busch<\/strong> certainly is a polarizing athlete.\u00a0 His fans are the most compassionate of any in NASCAR<\/strong>.\u00a0 Likewise for those who are not Kyle Busch fans.\u00a0 Busch was involved in a couple of on-track incidents, one involving the popular and past NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Champion, Martin Truex Jr.<\/strong>, and emotions were running high at Bristol Motor Speedway.\u00a0 It was vintage short track racing.<\/p>\n

NASCAR on a Roll<\/h2>\n

It was or should I say should have been, a high water mark on a NASCAR season which recently has seen a bit of a rebirth.\u00a0 At least on entertainment value.\u00a0 The past three races have pushed the needle in a positive direction.\u00a0 The race at Watkins Glen International<\/strong> followed by a less than stimulating race at Michigan.\u00a0 Then the old Bristol showed up, producing the kind of emotions from drivers and fans alike that made NASCAR as popular as it is.<\/p>\n

\u201cToo many vanilla personalities!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 That is a common theme among many long-time NASCAR fans who love to wallow for the old days when the likes of Dale Earnhardt<\/strong>, Tony Stewart<\/strong>, and the Alabama Gang would provide enough colour to light up the NBC Peacock.\u00a0 In the most recent past, it does seem that a bit of that old time flair had been missing.<\/p>\n

Enter Kyle Busch.\u00a0 No one could ever describe Kyle as vanilla.\u00a0 While many of us would wilt under the pressure of playing a villain, Busch almost seems to thrive on it.\u00a0 There are only a few people dumb enough to question his driving ability.\u00a0 Make no mistake about that, Kyle would be a great driver no matter the generation.\u00a0 He truly is a talent and his persona is greatly needed.<\/p>\n

Unruly Fans<\/h2>\n

So after a tremendously entertaining race weekend, we get a visit from an unruly fan who thinks his right as a fan allows him to verbally and physically attack Kyle Busch.\u00a0 We\u2019ve all witness these kinds of whack jobs at sporting events.\u00a0 I once saw a fan following Tony Stewart<\/strong> in the garage area screaming profanities at the top of his lungs.\u00a0 Oh yeah, did I mention the dozen of young fans who heard this barrage?<\/p>\n

For cripes sake, these are grown adults who act like complete and utter jerks.\u00a0 Heck, they are breaking the gosh darn law.\u00a0 They are nothing short of criminals.\u00a0 For some ungodly reason, some fans think they have some sort of inherent right to behave like animals.\u00a0 Sad, Sad, Sad.<\/p>\n

Sadly, this idiot is not alone.\u00a0 A friend tells the story about an elderly fan at Bristol Saturday night that was harassed and called vulgar names.\u00a0 All because she was a Kyle Busch fan.\u00a0 Sick, Sick, Sick.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen these idiots and I\u2019m guessing most of you have as well.\u00a0 But let\u2019s be clear these idiots, and the other idiots like them are a huge minority in the fandom of NASCAR.\u00a0 Some of the best, nicest and loyal people I know I\u2019ve met at race tracks.<\/p>\n

Passionate?\u00a0 You bet!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Loyal to their drivers and teams?\u00a0 For sure!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Respectful?\u00a0 You better believe it!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Stay Away<\/h2>\n

NASCAR and most racing offers fans tremendous access to the drivers and teams.\u00a0 Heck, the garage areas and pits are often more crowded than the line for burgers and fries at noon on race day.\u00a0 Incidents like the one we saw at Bristol Saturday night could put that access in danger.\u00a0 Sadly, there is not much the majority can do about it.<\/p>\n

To that fan who accosted Kyle Busch Saturday night, I hope he is barred from attending races in the future.\u00a0 Better yet, arrest him for disorderly conduct and assault.\u00a0 Same for that fan who saw fit to pick on an elderly lady all because of an M&M\u2019s hat or a NOS shirt she was wearing.\u00a0 Are you freaking kidding me?<\/p>\n

It\u2019s insane that people behave like that.\u00a0 As someone who loves the sport and appreciates the access we have of its athletes and teams, I hope they go away.\u00a0 And stay there!<\/p>\n

Thanks for reading.\u00a0 Listen to WTBQ radio on Monday and Friday mornings at 8:45 as I join Frank, Taylor and the Morning Show gang to discuss all the current happenings in NASCAR.\u00a0 1110AM 93.5FM or online at WTBQ.COM.\u00a0 You can also follow me on twitter @JimLaplante<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

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\nEmbed from Getty Images<\/a>