Charlotte, N.C.: opinions?

[Caliga]

Anyway my dad, bro and I have been talking about meeting up for a race at Bristol or Martinsville.  MY dad is a die hard NASCAR fan and my brother took him to Pocono for a race for his birthday last year.

[Darth Wagtaros]

Charlotte is the capital of NASCAR nation.

 

I just don't get NASCAR.  I don't deny teh skill involved in not dying out there, but it just doesn't seem fun to watch.

I can't watch it either, but if you ever catch a radio broadcast of the race they make it sound amazing.

The radio is for Tommy Finneran and Howie Carr.

[Ideologue]

Dale Earnhardt... got killed.

"Got killed."  Nice passive voice there.  But you're right, no way we could identify the agent in that sentence.

[Caliga]

IIRC it's not clear whether the accident was primarily caused by him, Kenny Schrader, or Sterling Marlin.

[DGuller]

I don't think anyone holds Schrader in any way responsible, or even potentially responsible.  Schrader was an innocent bystander in that crash.  Most sane fans don't hold Sterling Marlin responsible either, Earnhardt just went too far blocking for the benefit of his team, and paid with his life.

[Scipio]

I don't think anyone holds Schrader in any way responsible, or even potentially responsible.  Schrader was an innocent bystander in that crash.  Most sane fans don't hold Sterling Marlin responsible either, Earnhardt just went too far blocking for the benefit of his team, and paid with his life.

You drive like a jackass, you die like a jackass.  IMHO, the second most-pointless racing death, next to Senna.

[Caliga]

@DG Dude, I don't remember all the minute details... I mean this happened like ten years ago now.

To the best of my prior recollection, Marlin tipped Schrader who t-boned Earnhardt.  Given the speeds involved and tightness of the situation it'd be hard to say any one person was responsible though.

[Ed Anger]

@DG Dude, I don't remember all the minute details... I mean this happened like ten years ago now.

To the best of my prior recollection, Marlin tipped Schrader who t-boned Earnhardt.  Given the speeds involved and tightness of the situation it'd be hard to say any one person was responsible though.

YOU VILL REMEMBER! OR ELSE!

[AnchorClanker]

I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?

[Caliga]

I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?

Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR?  My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion.  Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened.

[AnchorClanker]

I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?

Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR?  My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion.  Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened.

  I cannot understand strong emotions when it comes to sports and sporting events.  I just don't get it.  Tribalism run amok.

[Ed Anger]

I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?

Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR?  My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion.  Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened.

  I cannot understand strong emotions when it comes to sports and sporting events.  I just don't get it.  Tribalism run amok.

*puts on my sweater vest*

[Caliga]

@Ank Agree.

But my dad is such a big NASCAR fan that he named his Yorkshire Terrier Mark Martin.

[Scipio]

I presume all this NASCAR is intended to scare/annoy him?

Did I ever tell you people that the only time my dad ever got in a fight with my grandfather (his father-in-law) was over NASCAR?  My grandfather insisted NASCAR wasn't a sport, and my dad exploded at the notion.  Apparently it almost came to fisticuffs but my uncle intervened.

  I cannot understand strong emotions when it comes to sports and sporting events.  I just don't get it.  Tribalism run amok.

Man, the paroxysms of rage my family went into at Thanksgiving, when they had to cheer for the Packers against the Lions for the benefit of their pathetic Bears, were OSSUM to witness.  I just chuckled, remembering my many years of suffering as a Packers fan.

[AnchorClanker]

*puts on my sweater vest*

Missing the point.  I get enjoying a sport, I don't get people getting all worked up about it. 
"Grow the fuck up!" is basically my inner feelings on it - save your emotional energy for something that actually matters.