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Topic: Knoxville Raceway Response to Chris Hassel Juice Article
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Page 2 of 3 of 41 replies
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May 03, 2011 at
06:43:06 PM
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I love the nationals as much as the next person. I have been to at least the last 20 which isn't too bad. I miss very little weekly races at Knoxville. I mention this so you may know my love for the racetrack. With that said, Chris Hassel is hilarious! He started working with a great sports team at a local television station, the news isn't the best, but the sports is must see television. Especially Sports Soundoff. I get not everybody loves dirt track racing the way I do. Even my wife isn't a nut like I am, but she supports my habit. And you will not see a cell phone anywhere close to me for 10 days in August. That is my only chance of the year to get rid of all ties to work. I hope you don't beat Mr. Hassel up too much for his stance, although I know most on here will. Just remember when your piling on him, at least he hates the Huskers too!!
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May 03, 2011 at
07:00:02 PM
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I think I'll send TV 13 and the Register's Juice the following 70's style note:
Don't 'Hassel' me man .....
S.H.S.
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May 03, 2011 at
08:28:56 PM
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I personally know Hassel and am friends with him. What he said was nothing to take seriously. I noticed people posted only the section of the article that referred to Knoxville. If you wanted to get a true idea of what kind of person he is, you should have posted the full article. He made comments about several sports. The fact is, he covers the races at Knoxville and willingly helps expand our coverage by showing coverage of the races, more than any other local sportscaster or media member. I am a die hard racing fan with many connections like much of the rest of us, but I also can let others have their own opinions about the racing community, whether they are true or not. Besides, when it comes to what Chris said, I've heard worse. Thats what I thought made our racing community unique and last for over 50 years, our ability to take criticism and continue on with our tradition. I can tell you Chris didn't mean what he said, let alone to have it go this far.
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May 03, 2011 at
10:22:41 PM
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Yank his press/media credentials! Make him pay admission to get in if he's going to "report" on the dirt track races. With a media "friend" like this, who needs enemies! He probably doesn't like Iowa porkchops or corn on the cob either. He said his opinions and we can say ours. He probably was more at home tonight in Sioux City at the Elton John concert..................
Knoxville Nationals supporter since 1991-till the day I die.
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May 03, 2011 at
10:31:09 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: kagan on May 03 2011 at 08:28:56 PM
I personally know Hassel and am friends with him. What he said was nothing to take seriously. I noticed people posted only the section of the article that referred to Knoxville. If you wanted to get a true idea of what kind of person he is, you should have posted the full article. He made comments about several sports. The fact is, he covers the races at Knoxville and willingly helps expand our coverage by showing coverage of the races, more than any other local sportscaster or media member. I am a die hard racing fan with many connections like much of the rest of us, but I also can let others have their own opinions about the racing community, whether they are true or not. Besides, when it comes to what Chris said, I've heard worse. Thats what I thought made our racing community unique and last for over 50 years, our ability to take criticism and continue on with our tradition. I can tell you Chris didn't mean what he said, let alone to have it go this far.
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When they pay a part of your salary.. You might just want to keep your mouth closed. JMO
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May 04, 2011 at
09:39:34 AM
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Maybe we need to get Mr. Hassel on Winged Nation to explain his side of the story.
As someone who works with journalists everyday, saying "I didn't mean it" after you printed it doesn't quite work.
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May 04, 2011 at
10:14:15 AM
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The entire article hasn't been posted here. The very last paragraph in the article reads:
"The only thing worse than having to attend these events is having to attend these events after bashing them in a public forum. The good news is, they'll never find out. And if one of you tells them about it, I have a built-in excuse: I wrote this on April 1."
Reading that, it would appear this was intended to be some sort of April Fools joke.
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May 04, 2011 at
12:31:12 PM
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I agree with Chilly.... I won't defend Chris Hassel, but he is just a goof ball and trying to be a funny guy. I've seen his skits on TV for a few years and I think people are over reacting here. Hassel makes fun of all kinds of stuff and I generally find him entertaining whether he is making fun of roller derby, the state fair, the Harlem Globetrotters, or Husker fans. No, I don't like his comments about Knoxville, but he is doing this to get a reaction and obviously he has. But to take this guy too seriously isn't worth the time. We all get poked fun of by other non-racing fans who don't get why we love it so much. We're used to it. And I have a feeling Bill W's press release (although defending Knoxville is a good thing) gave this more attention. I don't even read Juice and I'm guessing many of you don't either.
Eric Arnold
Social Media Manager & Track Historian
Knoxville Raceway
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May 04, 2011 at
01:32:20 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: EASports on May 04 2011 at 12:31:12 PM
I agree with Chilly.... I won't defend Chris Hassel, but he is just a goof ball and trying to be a funny guy. I've seen his skits on TV for a few years and I think people are over reacting here. Hassel makes fun of all kinds of stuff and I generally find him entertaining whether he is making fun of roller derby, the state fair, the Harlem Globetrotters, or Husker fans. No, I don't like his comments about Knoxville, but he is doing this to get a reaction and obviously he has. But to take this guy too seriously isn't worth the time. We all get poked fun of by other non-racing fans who don't get why we love it so much. We're used to it. And I have a feeling Bill W's press release (although defending Knoxville is a good thing) gave this more attention. I don't even read Juice and I'm guessing many of you don't either.
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I didn't write the release...
If this post isn't results, stories or something c
constructive, it isn't me!
@BillWMedia
www.OpenWheel101.com
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May 04, 2011 at
02:45:42 PM
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Chris' Reply to me:
Taylor, I respect the fact that you're upset with the article. However, the opinion column was a completely facetious look at some of the sporting events I've covered over the years. Nobody contacted malaria during swimming, no elephants present in Wells Fargo Arena for AHLHockey, and no ringworm for wrestling. Most people understood that (especially after I made the statement that I wrote it on April 1st).
This isn't the first time I've had people with burning pitchforks at my door. It comes with the territory, and I understand it -- to a point.
I appreciate your concerns, and thanks for the email. Chris
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May 04, 2011 at
02:53:54 PM
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My reply to Chris:
Chris,
Thanks for the fast reply. I am not "burning pitchforks" at your door but I did feel the need to express my opinion. I am kind of person that does not speak up much but I love sprint cars and Knoxville especially.
Maybe I do not have the whole story or quite know what you do but you stating that nobody contacted you about those other sports tells me one thing, those people are not passionate about what they do.
Anyway thanks for the reply, everyone is untitled to their opinion and I thought I would express mine.
If you have time...... Were you able to catch the A-Main at last year's 2010 Knoxville Nationals? The atmosphere around that race alone could turn a non race fan into a race fan. It was one of the best I have seen. If you have time, look up a video of it, it might change your mind about the Nationals.
Thanks,
Taylor Howell
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May 04, 2011 at
04:29:53 PM
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I send highlights of the Knoxville races weekly to ch 13. Chris is the only one to pull them off the server for use on thier sportscast. Thank you Chris.
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May 06, 2011 at
03:24:24 PM
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Gee, sounds like Hassell went and got Mr. Tough with No Personality marketing guru Brian Stickel all upset. Best not come to Knoxville, Chris, because next time Stickel has a few (as usual) he's liable to get tough with you. (Better duck!)
It's freakin' satire!
Some of you people need to get a life!
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May 06, 2011 at
03:53:27 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Bill W on May 03 2011 at 10:44:52 AM
Recently the Knoxville Nationals has been the target of negative statements by reporter Chris Hassel. Mr. Hassel is apparently a sports reporter for WHO TV 13 in Des Moines, Iowa. He also has a column in a publication called Juice which is produced by the Des Moines Register.
Specifically Mr. Hassel's recent column is on sporting events he would like to wish away. Below is what he wrote about the Knoxville Nationals.
Knoxville Nationals: Talk about being out of place. I feel like a fish in the desert at this event. It is the biggest dirt track race in the entire world, which isn't exactly a compliment. I was interviewing a fan in 2010 that didn't own a cell phone. Worse yet, it was clear to me that he didn't own any deodorant either. Published Juice April 13, 2011
The Knoxville Nationals has been in existence for 51 years and attracts all types of fans from around the world. The economic impact on the state of Iowa is in the tens of millions of dollars each year. Like all motorsports events, the Knoxville Nationals draws a diverse crowd from many different backgrounds in a celebration of humanity and cultural sharing.
On a hot summer day in August the gentleman Mr. Hassel was speaking to could be the CEO of a major company, the pastor at the local church, a mechanic on a race team or a homeless person spending some time with new found friends. For Knoxville Raceway, and for most dirt tracks around the nation it doesn't matter who he was, if he had a cell phone or if he had some grit and grime on his brow. He would always be welcome.
Often times when we are critical of other people it is because we see parts of ourselves in them. This is probably all too true with Mr. Hassel and his rant. I truly feel sorry for someone who can't see past their own self importance to see the beauty in people doing what they enjoy. For someone who can't see the importance of this type of economic driver that provides jobs and income for so many throughout the state. For someone who chooses the negative over the positive and by doing so tries to bring others down to suffer on his level.
Through his comments it is clear to me that Mr. Hassel is clearly not a fan of dirt tracks or dirt racing. It is also clear in his article that he is not a fan of women's football, high school bowling, AHL Hockey, Roller Derby, High School Swimming and NCAA Wrestling. In a country and state that is thought to embrace such a wide range diversity and individuality, Mr. Hassel's comments seem prejudicial or even worse.
Knoxville Raceway cannot support any business that would freely allow an employee to disperse such negative propaganda in such a way that could undermine the prosperity of our business with such an open prejudice attitude to our loyal fans.
Knoxville Raceway hosts 34 events each year drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators from across the nation and around the world. Premier events include the 51st Goodyear Knoxville Nationals August 10-13, the 21st Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals August 4-6, the USAC Non-Winged Knoxville Nationals August 7th, the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Series September 9-10 and the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
To express your thoughts on Mr. Hassel's comments you can direct them to:
Juice – Editor Tim Paluch (515)286-2564 [email protected]
Des Moines Register – Assistant Managing Editor Vicki Ashwell (515)284-8139
WHO TV – (515)242-3500 Station Manager Dale Woods http://tinyurl.com/6zcfk74
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Anyone find the humor in this guys comment? I mean after all, he works for a paper or TV station in Iowa. Iowa, not a fashion house in Paris or Milan! What a clown! I think this guy need a bit of a reality check.
Keep up the great work Knoxville!
Yes, that right Mr. Hassel Knoxville, Iowa!
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May 06, 2011 at
04:05:17 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: rogerclinton1 on May 06 2011 at 03:24:24 PM
Gee, sounds like Hassell went and got Mr. Tough with No Personality marketing guru Brian Stickel all upset. Best not come to Knoxville, Chris, because next time Stickel has a few (as usual) he's liable to get tough with you. (Better duck!)
It's freakin' satire!
Some of you people need to get a life!
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Nice to see you've actually met Brian
/sarcasm
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May 12, 2011 at
01:00:12 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: Bill W on May 03 2011 at 10:44:52 AM
Recently the Knoxville Nationals has been the target of negative statements by reporter Chris Hassel. Mr. Hassel is apparently a sports reporter for WHO TV 13 in Des Moines, Iowa. He also has a column in a publication called Juice which is produced by the Des Moines Register.
Specifically Mr. Hassel's recent column is on sporting events he would like to wish away. Below is what he wrote about the Knoxville Nationals.
Knoxville Nationals: Talk about being out of place. I feel like a fish in the desert at this event. It is the biggest dirt track race in the entire world, which isn't exactly a compliment. I was interviewing a fan in 2010 that didn't own a cell phone. Worse yet, it was clear to me that he didn't own any deodorant either. Published Juice April 13, 2011
The Knoxville Nationals has been in existence for 51 years and attracts all types of fans from around the world. The economic impact on the state of Iowa is in the tens of millions of dollars each year. Like all motorsports events, the Knoxville Nationals draws a diverse crowd from many different backgrounds in a celebration of humanity and cultural sharing.
On a hot summer day in August the gentleman Mr. Hassel was speaking to could be the CEO of a major company, the pastor at the local church, a mechanic on a race team or a homeless person spending some time with new found friends. For Knoxville Raceway, and for most dirt tracks around the nation it doesn't matter who he was, if he had a cell phone or if he had some grit and grime on his brow. He would always be welcome.
Often times when we are critical of other people it is because we see parts of ourselves in them. This is probably all too true with Mr. Hassel and his rant. I truly feel sorry for someone who can't see past their own self importance to see the beauty in people doing what they enjoy. For someone who can't see the importance of this type of economic driver that provides jobs and income for so many throughout the state. For someone who chooses the negative over the positive and by doing so tries to bring others down to suffer on his level.
Through his comments it is clear to me that Mr. Hassel is clearly not a fan of dirt tracks or dirt racing. It is also clear in his article that he is not a fan of women's football, high school bowling, AHL Hockey, Roller Derby, High School Swimming and NCAA Wrestling. In a country and state that is thought to embrace such a wide range diversity and individuality, Mr. Hassel's comments seem prejudicial or even worse.
Knoxville Raceway cannot support any business that would freely allow an employee to disperse such negative propaganda in such a way that could undermine the prosperity of our business with such an open prejudice attitude to our loyal fans.
Knoxville Raceway hosts 34 events each year drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators from across the nation and around the world. Premier events include the 51st Goodyear Knoxville Nationals August 10-13, the 21st Arnold Motor Supply 360 Knoxville Nationals August 4-6, the USAC Non-Winged Knoxville Nationals August 7th, the AMA Pro Flat Track Grand National Series September 9-10 and the Lucas Oil Late Model Knoxville Nationals Sept. 29 to Oct. 1.
To express your thoughts on Mr. Hassel's comments you can direct them to:
Juice – Editor Tim Paluch (515)286-2564 [email protected]
Des Moines Register – Assistant Managing Editor Vicki Ashwell (515)284-8139
WHO TV – (515)242-3500 Station Manager Dale Woods http://tinyurl.com/6zcfk74
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As the announcer for Iowa's first Roller Derby team, the Mid-Iowa Rollers, (another group Mr. Hassel went after by comparing the fans to Rosie O'Donnell) -- I am glad the other fans took this the same way. I emailed Chris and he wrote back it was an april fools joke and that on Roller Derby people were offended. I am glad to see others take issue. I wish he would be fired for his insensitivity.
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June 08, 2012 at
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I just read through this thread. My god people...quit being a bunch of yahoos. It's no wonder people laugh at sprint car fans.
Dumb, dumb, dumb...
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June 08, 2012 at
02:10:02 PM
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Reply to:
Posted By: thowell29 on May 03 2011 at 11:28:32 AM
My email to Tim Paluch:
Hello,
My name is Taylor Howell, I am 21 from Oklahoma City, OK. I have been going to the Knoxville Nationals every year since 1994, when I was 5. Ever since my first time at Knoxville, I have counted the days until the next year until it is time to go again. Some kids look forward to the World Series, NBA Finals etc. etc. I looked forward to that 1 week in Knoxville where I was surrounded by nothing but sprint cars and sprint car fans. There is nothing better in my eyes.
Every year we go up on Monday, the week before the 410 Nationals, we get there in time to setup camp and head to Oskaloosa, IA for races before the Nationals. But when we pull in we always purchase a Des Moines Register to read up on what coverage the Knoxville Nationals is getting. In Oklahoma we do not get much coverage on sprint cars so I always thought it was cool when you could see sprint cars in the newspaper and not to mention my favorite drivers.
In the last few years I have noticed a steady decline in coverage of the Nationals, even so I still purchased a newspaper. After reading Mr. Hassel's article about the Knoxville Nationals I can assure you that I will no longer purchase your newspaper when we come up this year. You maybe thinking that "big deal, its 6-7 newspapers." But I have found this article on several sprint car websites and will began to spread the word my self. Sprint car fans are a close knit group and we can usually get things going if we want to. I hope that you have a decline in sold newspapers this year during the Nationals.
Mr. Hassel's is not a sprint car fan I can tell, which is fine. But someone like this has no room to judge or belittle anyone choosing to support what they love.
Thank you for your time,
Taylor Howell
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Very well written, I also wrote an email to the station and said a few choice words along with telling them to make sure he is no where near the Nationals this year if they wish to not have to go through all of the insurance paperwork that comes along with an employee being in the hospital.What a judgmental piece of garbage. People like him are the main contributors to most of the problems in this world.
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June 08, 2012 at
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Last year, I did not purchase any papers. But I am glad this was brought up again, I forgot about it. I most likely would have remembered once I got up there. Still gets me fired up.
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June 08, 2012 at
02:27:41 PM
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We all know people at the races like the one described in the article.Its not the fact that he pointed out there was someone like this its the fact he basically grouped all race fans under that stereotype. Im 20 I live on my cell phone, I double major in college, and I listen to rap music. I have been to 15 Nationals and have gone to at least 2 races a weekend since I was three. Dont judge anyone.
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