Fan Dead At Texas Motor Speedway After NRA 500

KevinWI

KevinWI

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Not good.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2013/04/14/fan-death-investigation-texas-motor-speedway/2081395/


FORT WORTH (AP) — A man died of a "self-inflicted injury" following a verbal altercation in the infield during a NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday night, police said.

Police spokeswoman Cpl. Tracey Knight didn't specify how the man died, and said he was believed to be in his late 30s or early 40s. She said alcohol may have been a factor in the incident, which occurred late in the Sprint Cup race.

Knight did not identify the man and wasn't sure of the man's relationship with others involved in the altercation. Several people witnessed the incident, but nobody was in danger, Knight said.

The death occurred "in or around a pickup truck" in part of the infield near the middle of the backstretch, track spokesman Mike Zizzo said.

Police blocked off the area around the incident, and investigators could be seen looking into a truck.
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Obviously, feel sorry for the family. Seems the police are being vague about how he killed himself. A suicide by gunshot after the NRA 500... well, it wouldn't be good.
 
Sad for sure. It will be another political football if he used a gun to kill himself, even though there is no way of stoping someone who wants to die.
 
nascage said:
Agreed. Something tells me some people are going to have a field day with this one, regardless of what the truth may be.
Sad.
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Quackjack said:
I hope it wasn't a gunshot, the anti-gunners have enough ammo as is.
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I know this may sound cold but at least he didn't harm anyone else and unless he did it as a political statement, it's a family matter at this point, IMO.
 
I was in the infield when it happened. My buddy walked by before the area was roped off. Fortunately he was in his truck and shot himself. Nobody else was injured. We watched the coroner's van leave the facility with a police escort.
Tragic development for sure.
And I am wondering what kind of play this will get from the mainstream media. I hope they let this story, and the "victim" rest in peace - but I have my doubts...

Gun-related Suicide at NRA 500! Film at 11.
 
Great. NRA and a hand gun suicide at a NASCAR race.

Stereotypes really are based on reality.
 
robbybee said:
NO. I would lose that bet, I'll bet...

I think that maybe the dude just REALLY hated Kyle Busch.

What? Too soon?
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Maybe he was a HUGE Jeff Gordon fan... Bummer for sure but what an a-hole!
 
robbybee said:
I was in the infield when it happened. My buddy walked by before the area was roped off. Fortunately he was in his truck and shot himself. Nobody else was injured. We watched the coroner's van leave the facility with a police escort.
Tragic development for sure.
And I am wondering what kind of play this will get from the mainstream media. I hope they let this story, and the "victim" rest in peace - but I have my doubts...

Gun-related Suicide at NRA 500! Film at 11.
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Yeah, it's very unfortunate for all involved.
 
He must have been a Tony Stewart fan. With the way Smoke's season has been going, can't blame him.
 
Should they have canceled the post-race celebrations? I supported the decisions to cancel the 1999 IndyCar race at Charlotte (when fans were killed after debris went into the grandstand) or the 2011 IndyCar race at Vegas (when Dan Wheldon was killed), but this was an off-track incident. Tragic for sure, but not sure they should have canceled the victory lane celebrations, as BuzzFeed seems to suggest.

FLRacingFan said:
It sounds like the argument was with other campers though. Weird.
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Wow, so the guy had an argument with other campers and then killed himself? I assumed it was a fight with a significant other, as well. Definitely sounds like he had some issues going on upstairs. Sad news.
 
I'm sure the word never made it to victory lane..
 
There was a comment on one of the reporting websites from an individual that was there who claimed the man was arguing with his girlfriend.
I don't feel they should have cancelled the post race celebration. I can see if fans were injured from racecar debris but this was a isolated incident involving a single disturbed individual. I'm not downplaying the loss of life, but nobody else was involved thus, nobody else should have been adversely affected.
 
Not according to the speedway. Here is a section of the rules from the speedways website.

All security measures are subject to change without notice.
  • Coolers are allowed inside the Speedway, but are subject to inspection by security officials and can be no larger than 14” X 14” X 14”.
  • Only one cooler per ticket holder in the grandstands.
  • Glass is not allowed inside the Speedway.
  • Bags such as backpacks, fanny packs etc. are allowed, but are subject to inspection by security officials and can be no larger than 14” X 14” X 14”.
  • Binoculars, scanners and cameras are allowed inside the Speedway.
  • Strollers, umbrellas, skate boards, scooters or roller blades are not allowed in the grandstands.
  • Items may not be left in or around the gate areas if they are not allowed inside.
  • All items brought through the gate areas are subject to inspection by security officials.
  • Guests are encouraged to arrive at the gates early to avoid traffic and to expedite entrance into the Speedway.
  • Guests are not allowed to bring these items into Texas Motor Speedway - weapons or firearms, fireworks, illegal substances and items restricted by local, state and federal laws.
  • The resale of Texas Motor Speedway admission tickets is strictly prohibited on the premises, which includes grounds and surrounding parking areas.
  • Smoking is not permitted in any grandstand at Texas Motor Speedway. Smoking is permitted in the concourse area.
 
The above doesn't say anything about inside your vehicle! I'm thinking it means walkin persons. I betcha there are lots and lots of guns in the parking lot and also in most Texas vehicles inside the track grounds..
Betsy
 
The only thing they check for when you go into the infield at Texas is if you have your wristband on.
 
Betsy said:
The above doesn't say anything about inside your vehicle! I'm thinking it means walkin persons. I betcha there are lots and lots of guns in the parking lot and also in most Texas vehicles inside the track grounds..
Betsy
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This was in the infield, correct? So that would be inside TMS. Which the rule states, firearms aren't allowed. Doesn't matter if it's on you or in your vehicle, if the vehicle is inside the racetrack.
 
Betsy said:
The above doesn't say anything about inside your vehicle! I'm thinking it means walkin persons. I betcha there are lots and lots of guns in the parking lot and also in most Texas vehicles inside the track grounds..
Betsy
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I think anything on track property would be considered "inside" Texas Motor Speedway.
 
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