“The King”, Richard Petty remembers the salt-of-the-earth loyalty that characterized his sport decades ago. When stock-car racing wasn’t as popular and they went out of their way to meet the fans. Petty says he remembers those days fondly, but also as some rough living times.
“After a race, when I got ready to go to the truck, or go get in the car, there was always a bunch of people around” Petty said before the Bristol race. “And the first thing you know, here comes somebody that’s been drinking a little bit too much, or gets too enthused about what’s going on — jumps right in front of you. Grabs your shirt or collar — ‘Sign my autograph.’”
Last week it was announced that Tony Stewart was again in trouble for crossing the line and assaulting another spectator. The Sullivan County (Tenn.) sheriff’s department is investigating a female fan’s complaint that Stewart shoved her post-race in the Bristol garage several weeks ago. This reporter was there, and saw no altercation between her and Stewart, however the Sheriff’s department deputy swore in an affadavit, that he saw the incident.
What happened, why it happened, and the resolution isn’t the point. The number of fans in the Winston Cup garage has grown immensely the past few years with the burgeoning growth of the sport. No other major sport allows its masses to walk among their heroes, and it’s a core ingredient of NASCAR. In what other sport does the average fan have access in essence to the team locker room? However, if you work in the garage, it can be difficult. Drivers quickly learn to dodge hordes of strangers every week.
“I turn around and blame NASCAR for letting people in the garage area and the pit area in the first place,” Petty said. “If these people weren’t in there, we wouldn’t have that problem.”
Nobody in the NASCAR world obliges more fans, more often than Richard Petty does. That’s part of the King’s appeal. He’s also one of those guys — Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon are current examples — who can’t walk from hauler door to garage bay without a crowd surging around them. Tony Stewart is in that category, too. So are most marquee drivers.
“Any time when you’re getting ready to go from point A to point B and a fan is right there, it makes us want to stay inside until time to get into the car and race. We’re just trying to get back to the garage area to do our job.”
The constant deluge of fans shoving placards or programs toward the driver must become annoying at some point.
Fans must understand that just because drivers make more money than you or I, doesn’t mean they’re honor-bound to scribble across your T-shirt. Think of your job. Being chased by 50 people every time you go to the restroom.
“Just because you buy a ticket, to a football game, a basketball game or a race, that does not entitle you, in any way shape or form to an autograph,” Richard Petty said. “You didn’t buy that. You bought a ticket to watch the race.”
Manners, and maturity, apparently matter to the King. He has other concerns, too, particularly safety. Petty thinks fans shouldn’t be allowed in the garage or along pit road when cars are on the track.
“If there’s no race cars going on and people are working on them, fine,” he said. “Let people in. When the race starts, don’t let anybody in the garage area, because these guys come in here that have just run into the wall– they tore a wheel off, they ain’t got no brakes — they come in wide open and people are just standing there looking at ‘em.”
There should be alternatives, he agreed.
“In football games, do you see where as quick as the thing’s over, all of the spectators are down on the field?” Petty asked. “It don’t happen. You can’t. But it happens in racing. And I think it needs to be controlled a little bit more from NASCAR’s standpoint.” NASCAR is looking into limiting the access from a safety standpoint and are likely to have some kind of restrictions in place by next season.

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