by Larry Rahn

Created on: September 13, 2008   Last Updated: November 24, 2008

I have been attending races at Talladega since 1994. I have seats in Birmingham Tower and always rent a motor home in Birmingham to use at the track. I usually get there on Wednesday and leave on Monday morning.

The only way to keep people from throwing cans and bottles on the track, is to eliminate such objects, plain and simple. Treat all the race tracks just like a MLB stadium. Sell the drinks only in plastic cups, they don't fly very far. The only thing I have have seen NASCAR do in recent years is reduce the size of the cooler. Just prohibit the coolers entirely. I'm quite sure NASCAR would get to dip their greedy little hands in the concession money somehow.

Things definitely need to be policed up at the track, that's for sure. Security is very lax and almost non-existent in the camping areas. I park in the same spot all the time and the guy next to me pulls his big camper in next door, puts out a full carpet, big screen TV, stereo, chairs and sofa, and never goes to the race. He's done this since I can remember. Never goes to a race, he says he just likes the atmosphere. I know several of the "Alabama Gang" personally and they don't go along with the way the fans act either. Of course, in their younger years the Allison boys were never afraid of a fight, nor Bonnett.

More serious security needs to be added to the track and campgrounds. They have increased it in recent years, but, it seems security doesn't want to make you mad, because they are afraid if they do, you won't come back and spend your money. The majority of the people come to see a good race, not to party, and these usually are the people that stay in town at a motel, not in the campground. Track officials just need to tighten the reins a little and get things under control, or it could come down to them losing a race a year. We all know if attendance drops real bad, NASCAR will step in and do something that is in their best financial interest. The two races held at the track are real big boosts to Alabama every year and are needed for the economy, plain and simple. Perhaps the best thing to do is eliminate the problem, carry in coolers, and also don't admit anyone thru the gates that is already intoxicated. Nobody like a drunk sitting next to them for 4 hours anyway. Security and the adherence to stricter rules is the only solution for the Alabama track, it needs to be done for everyone's safety. I remember throwing beer cans at the bottom of the fence and they would come in with a Bob Cat and scoop them up, of course that was in my younger years. If I want something to drink, I'll buy it at the track concession, who wants to pack a cooler around with them anywa? Only a true Jeff Foxworthy "Redneck". Come on Alabama, clean up your big revenue provider before some gets hurt or killed.

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