Forum: HoseHeads Sprint Car General Forum (go)
Moderators: dirtonly  /  dmantx  /  hosehead

Is nothing but a bunch of BULLSHIT. Fans in the stands have to wear masks and stay apart but it's okay for everyone in the pits to work on top of each other sweating and breathing all over each other, sharing microphones for interviews, etc. I'm getting so damn sick of this political virus. If this was a real pandemic there would be hazardous material waste bins everywhere to properly dispose of all used masks and gloves and any other potentially infected items. Let's get back to normal packed grandstands and great racing atmospheres! 

You can't be talking about PA. It's been back to normal since it started at Lincoln in May. Grandstands have been packed and nobody is wearing masks. Just when I thought they got away with it...a gentleman everyone seems to really respect died from the virus. I hope it has been worth it. Plenty of thoughts and prayers but I cannot imagine tracks suddenly changed their tune in his memory. We stopped going because nobody is doing their part...and nobody seems to care about anything other than what Larson is doing. 

Not sure what the OP was going on about, I assumed he was from PA and has been going to races locally.

You on the other hand, are a drag. Skelly was an old dude who loved racing and how do you know if his test was accurate or not,.

Pretty careless post from someone that doesn't know Barry's history and love for racing. I'm glad you stopped going, more elbow room for me. Your posts are very weak and one way, work on it.

Barry's son confirmed the test was positive when it occurred. He confirmed the rumors.  Was his choice to attend but sad. Thinking it is all political is a joke and a mindless comment. I am sure everyone who has died from this virus or spent months recovering volunteered just to screw with politics. People can choose to go or not, wear masks or not, but do not minimize the deaths to be a political stunt and hurt the families who have lost family members to justify why you do not want to attend or whatever your motivation is. . It is real and families have been impacted. We know a family who lost 3 members to the virus and i am sure they did not die to satisfy some political agenda. We miss them everyday! So go dont go, mask no mask your choice but don't blame on everyone else. You have options. 

Larson has been kicking a ton of ass. What he's doing right now will go down in history as one of the single greatest seasons any one driver has had. Doug Wolfgang 1989 comes to mind. He came to PA and owned the Posse, he's made the WoO his own personal ATM & The ASCoC have no answer for him either. To do what he's doing against the competition he's going up against, is just amazing. 

Thank you for your thought and words. 

Curious 12.  Good post

I was at William's Grove for their first speedweek race after the Wolfe lessen the restrictions on eating estalishments and gyms because I thought people would more or less follow the recomendations.  I was also planning to attend Lincoln's 1st speedweek show later on.  After seeing the total lack of regard for social distancing and mask wearing at the race, I went back into "semi isolation" and did not attend any race until the Silver Crown event at Selinsgrove last Saturday.  My buddy and I social distanced with our lawn chairs up on the hill in turn one and I used my mask everytime I moved to use the rest room.  I thought about going to "The Grove" Friday to see the USAC EC sprints and then drive out to Salem, IN for the Silver Crown event figuring the crowd would be lerss than Speed Week and I could social distance  When I learned of the passing of Barry from COVID-19, there was no way I was going to go. Call it political BS or call me a "Nancy Boy" because I do not subscribe to someone's else idea of what is acceptable behavior is on that person, not me.  I am 72, have type II diabeties, an irrigular heartbeat, but more important four grandkids who I am not about to expose them to any undo risk.  I stood next to Barry for many years when I took photos for NSSN.  When you know someone who you have had personal contact, it drives home how serious this deal is.  RIP Barry, to the rest of you, be safe, stay safe    

We have a hutterite colony close to my town. They have 44 positive test results but zero people are sick or show any signs of illness or infection. 

With all respect to the man who passed, just that a govt influenced medical team says someone had covid does not mean he died from it., or even had it. Our local hospital has a gag order for all staff including the maintenance dept. Ask yourself why. It's not to keep names out of the public, the gag is zero comments about what you see hear or learn in the hospital.

Even though I may not know you, I 
care what most of you think!

I'm assuming that this man picked up Covid from the racetrack.   It's very unfortunate, but I would not advise any high risk person to attend racing events right now.   Hearing what is happening in Pennsylvania just tell me that race fans all over the nation are probably the same way.   Ain't nobody social distancing at tracks in Texas either.   You decide to attend, then you do take your chances.   Hopefully there's a good breeze blowing and that helps, but people still should be keeping some distance and they're not.   

My cousin reported from Knoxville that there was distancing in the stands but not underneath in the concession and restroom areas.    My thoughts are that too many people have reached a "don't give a damn" attitude on this.  

Sorry guys. Believe what you want but few of us can stand 6 ft from the guy beside at the urinal and not soil his shoes. Pick the lesser evil.

Even though I may not know you, I 
care what most of you think!

I decided on the two racing channels and taking a wait and see approsch so despite the fact that it's bad news and a different part of the country it's necessary to know.  Catching it outdoors isn't as easy as a subway or bus or indoors but it's still possible.  I'm done debating this subject, people are going to think and do whatever their world view dictates and nobody will change anyone's mind.  That was my main reason for making the decision as we all have to take care of number one aka ourselves.  I can't imagine sharing grandstand, concession line and bathroom space with people who don't believe it's for real.  Those of us who are older managing the usual health issues for our age group have to make our own descision.  The sad thing about it is that it could be better if everyone would cooperate.  I'm surprised that some of these drivers aren't getting it when MLB, NFL training camp and many schools are having.outbreaks.  My only gripe personally is that I have a favorite race that I have only missed once last year when I was overseas and don't want to extend that streak two years.  In effect those with the casual attitude who think it's a hoax are calling the shots for everyone else as prevention efforts are only as strong as the weakest link.  

While dirt track fans are packing the stands and not distancing in many places I struggle to square that with empty stands for MLB, the NHL and NHL.  Either dirt track fans are much more knowledgeable about infectious diseases and their mitigation than all other sports and concerts or the opposite is true.  I'd rather error on the side of caution and still be around when the dust clears.

Stan Meissner

PS, my wife had to get the Covid test last week after a sore throat and headache outbreak after a family day, our first in six months.  Both her and my 45 year old oldest of three daughters got tested.  My wife did not like the  but test but as it turns out one of my granddaughters was exposed to strep so could have been fighting that. Anyways she said it sucks and nobody would want to experience that.

Meanwhile my son who is a country guy believes that it's no worse than the flu.  He ended up fighting about it with my wife and things got kind of ugly in the family.  My wife and a couple daughters are very liberal and my son is on the other end of the spectrum.  Me, I just want to be left alone by fanatics of all political and religious persuasions and enjoy my last fifteen or twenty years on this rock in space.  

Anyways, I'm loving the racing channels and trying to not get sucked into anymore debates.  People are going to do what they're going to do and people only care about themselves.  

Stan Meissner

I never said the virus wasn't real. But we are almost in the 6th month of the "2 weeks to flatten the curve" bullshit. I do believe the government is now using it as a way of controlling the people to see how much they can push. If 6 feet apart works then why are we still wearing masks? If masks work then why are we still staying 6 feet apart? Just a reminder; the flu has been around for many years and has a vaccine, but it still kills 45K-75K each year. But we don't panic about that anymore, do we? 

No arguments from me.  Enjoy yourself at the races and I will stay away from the tracks.  You win.  

Stan Meissner

One would think that younger fans would read the comments by those of us considered higher risk and have some empathy for our situation.  I have been attending races for sixty years so my only desire is to feel feel like I could attend safely.  The message to us older ones is pretty much "fuck you old man, it sucks to be you".  

Stan Meissner

Same here. I've only gone to races at my home track that I figured won't have a huge crowd and I can sit a few feet from others, but big packed crowds like speedweek or WOO? Nope. I don't want to put my wife or older family members at any unnecessary risk. I'm glad they are still having the races and grateful I can watch on floracing and dirtvision. I hope things are back to normal asap but I don't think that's going to be the case until maybe next year. There's nothing political about common sense. The people making it political are mainly the conspiracy theorists. 

A

Good point.  My feeling is that this virus, just like the flu isn't going away, ever.  It's something we'll learn to live with just like we have with the flu, in all it's various strains.  Sad that Barry got Covid but is there any proof that he got it at Lincoln? Who really knows, as he could have gotten it anywhere.  So basically we have two known cases, one sadly ending in a death, over the course of the past two and a half months with thousands of fans in attendance at Port Royal, Williams Grove, Selinsgrove and Lincoln. Just making sure I got those numbers correct.  Anyway, can't wait for "Kinda Fair" week at Port. Five nights of racing in seven days, gonna be great!!!

Well said

I went to Knoxville this weekend.  This is what I can say----If you wanted to stay social distanced from people, you could.  There were groups hovering together and inter-mingling.  But, if you didn't want to, you didn't have to.  I was there with a friend and our sons.  In years past, we spent time at the Dingus when it was busy, and went pretty much everywhere.  This year, we stopped at the Dingus 2 times at around noon when it was empty.  We also visited the Peace Tree Brewing downtown and sat outside.  We took 2 six-pack coolers into the stands and bought our beer at the start of the night.  No standing in line.  We would book down to the restrooms in between heats rather than during a break.  There was never a line when I went to the restroon and everyone inside the restroom gave space to others.  At no point did I feel anyone was right on top of me.  For the most part, close encounters with others were very brief such as in passing.  In the stands, I sat within 3 seats of 1 person on Saturday night.  Otherwise, no one close to us the other 2.  

So, we took some extra precautions without going over-the-top.  I take it serious enough to know I don't want it but lightly enough to know I still need to live a little.