Are we better off without them?

[Boneman]

We have all heard them; racers, owners or even fans who do nothing but complain about their choice of racetrack. There are a few around my tracks that I actually go out of my way to avoid. Really, I have no interest in hearing AGAIN about how messed up they think things are, about the favoritism, the pay or any of the other junk, real or imagined, that they always go on about.

The racers will always say they are going to tow across the state to another track, or hang it up and get a boat. I really get a kick out of the ones who tow for hours because the other track "pays better". I am sure they are making a whole lot more money by towing for hours, but that is beside the poimt. The question is, are we better off without the chronic complainers? I think so.

Even if it costs the track a car or two, it is worth it so everyone else who decides to stay can have a better time. Who needs the constant infusion of poison?

I also think that someone who buys a ticket or a pit pass should be listened to if they have a problem. The track has no responsibility to make everyone happy, but they should hear their customers out. THEN it is up to the racer or fan to let it drop and find a way to enjoy the night. What makes some of them think we only go to the track to listen to them crabbing about things?

So waddya think? Should a track put up with anything to keep another car (ie: racer22), or should they be invited to haul down the road.

I know what I would do, any other opinions?

[tccaz]

I have been to and participated at many tracks drag racing and short track and the complainers are everywhere. The tracks could be paved with gold and someone would still not be happy. Does anyone on this board really think racer22 could ever be happy no matter what the track did for him? I have one other question on all those nights when the other guy was ALWAYS winnig was he running second, (probably not in the top ten).

[UREZ2PASS]

Everyone has a complaint at one time or another but some people complain so much that it is detrimental to our sport. I agree with boneman, some people are worth avoiding at the track and on the internet. Now complaining and bashing are two different things. Track bashing is WRONG and does no good. Maybe my purposeful bashing the bashers is wrong also but how else can they be silenced ? I have found that they tire out ( pun intended ) after a few rounds of sarcasm. Don't get me wrong, issues can and should be discussed openly but with some level of professionalism.

Excellent topic boneman and very well expressed on your part.

[MiniRacer26]

Boneman, its the SAME ones that constantly are involved. In the complainers section there is a guy complaining about his kid being put in a "head lock" and the track doing them "wrong" Everwhere that group goes trouble seems to follow them. Ironic? I think you are right, the bad apples should be thrown out before they spoil the fun for the rest of us. I have NEVER had a problem with NSS, Guy ( I think thats his name) and Kim Brown have gone out of their way to help me in the past and it is appreciated. If it wasn't so damn far of a drive we would rather run NSS than anywhere else.

[weekend racer]

Boneman you make great points here.The tracks and the drivers should never miss anyone that conducts them selfs like this.Who in there right mind bash the drivers and sponcers and the tech people at there local tracks.I would understand if what was being said would help the tracks and drivers but it does nothing but hurt us all.So with that the tracks would be such a greater place if these type of people where not there at all.

[mr south 59]

I have been on both sides of the fence as a racer and a track owner. Like ez said that complaining to much can be detrimental to the track and I agree. The way 22 is going about is all wrong. That is ok also. It is his prerogative. You don't have to be good or right at everything you do. But as an owner the last thing you want to do is ban someone or ask them to never come back. That also hurts the track. But in all of my years in racing I have found that tech will make or brake your track. When I became an owner the biggest grip I heard about the previous owners was the lack of tech and favoritism. Lack of tech will run off more racers that a complainer will any day.

With that being said. And reading all of the post on this topic I would ask 2 questions.

1) Does the car in question have 2 1/2 inch exhaust and added sheet meta

2) Is it legal?

If the car does have these things, as others have said, and it is illegal than the track pushed 22 into complaining. So now if the track ask 22 to "haul down the road" or 22 just decides to never come back the track loses. So now "racer44" replaces 22. On his first night at NSS 44 go to tech after the feature and says WTF. That ain't legal. What does the track do? Tell him to follow 22 and never come back or STFU. It will be the death of the track if they don't resolve their tech issues.

I think the track need to do their job and not give their races a good reason to complain. If the racers don't have anything to complain about than most of them probably won't complain.

I will say one thing. If I can see illegal stuff on someones car that keeps passing tech every week and the track does nothing than I will be complaining too.

Look. You will always have complainers. Everybody complains. If you get rid of anybody that complains I would think you wouldn't have anybody left.

Boneman. In your class, if the same guy won every week and took the purse every week and was beating the field every week and he had illegal 10 inch slick and everybody else had legal 8 inch treads and took your money every week. Would you complain???? I know what I would do? What would you do?

I agree that there is a few bad apples out there. But if they have a real grip and complain, that shouldn't give you a reason to send them packing just because you don't like their altitude or professionalism in the way they handle themselves.

[Boneman]

Just to clearify a bit....

I really wasn't referring to racer22 specifically, I don't even know that guy. Although I don't agree with his approach, I have a similar concern about damaging the show via inactivity in the tech shed.

There is a clear distinction between being opinionated (like I am) and someone who constantly crabs. Is it just me, or are the trucks a mecca for teams who complain and hold grudges?

A side note:
I've been traveling on business this week.....I can't wait for the racing weekend!!

[weekend racer]

I would like to think so too.We are human and make bad choises but this fella came through tech scaring the hell out of some of the people that where there.So with that is that a person you want to be racing with?What could he do next wreck someone?I would also like to think that the tech people there that night might have learnd something.If they would have talked to this fella with respect he might not have gotten so upset. They would not even listen to him but this still does not make it right for him to scare the other drivers and fans.AND YES THE TECH PEOPLE AT SOME OF THE RACE TRACKS NEED TO GET OF THERE ASS AND WORK AND SHOULD START WITH WHATS RIGHT IN THERE FACE.

[mr south 59]

Boneman. When you say crabbing do you mean crabbing about the weather or the price of gas or tires or entry or the long haul because I wouldn't ban somebody for that. Or do you mean crabbing about tech things you can see that are illegal on a car. I wouldn't ban someone for that either. Or do you mean crabbing about the way a track owner runs their business and bashing them about the way they conduct themselves. That one I can tell you that I have ban people from my track for. If you think you can run a track better than the way I do it than get of my property and go get your own track. That is one thing a track owner will not take and don't have to.

Granted 22 did step over the line with Mr. Hart. He did it over a tech thing. He was already planning on not coming back and went over the edge. I am sorry for him that tech pushed him that far. I still blame it on tech.

I think we should ban the cheaters not the people complaining about the cheaters.

Good luck racing this weekend.

[Rusty the 50/50 Guy]

Boney...it is funny...some years back I touched on this subject and was rather chastised by some in the racing community!

Believe it or not..there are some folks that come to the race track LOOKING for a reason not to be there! There are not many but they are there!

Negativity breeds negativity!!! And that is a fact! And it does not matter if it is a racer, track employee, fan or just someone that sits and writes on a message board!

The problem that I see is that everyone thinks their problem is the MOST important! And that is just human nature. If folks will first treat folks the way they want to be treated you would see a world of difference EVERYWHERE not just on a race track! You can tell someone that they are fat and ugly, and if you do it in the right way, instead of punching you out, they walk away saying to themselves hmmmmm maybe I could lose a pound or two!

Banning...If you banned everyone that thought they could do it better...well let's put it this way...you could hear crickets! Banning is a battle of the ego's usually! There are only a very few reasons to ban somone! How many people do you know that have been banned? Suspended, maybe!

The theory that who ever had the track last had favoritism etc etc YEAH YEAH YEAH Usually the ones that are coming up and saying it are the ones that are looking for it from the new person! We were accused of "favoritism" at OSW when I was there! Funny thing was the person that it was being said about was DQ'ed one night...I am still baffled about that one! How does the favorite get DQ'ed! ...because it was NOT the case! IF there is favoritism SHAME SHAME SHAME on the track and it's officials! Some would call someone helping the track out a "favorite" ...I will tell you what I told the various folks that have helped at tracks I have been at! "We love you for what you are doing! BUT...when you are on the track or tech building you are #so and so! Need practice time...let me know! " Any car that goes on to the track must feel they have the same chance to win as any other car! Now, if they do not have the equipment to do so that is on them! ...as long as it fits into the rules of the facility.

I would say to answer your question...First find out if their complaint is real or imagined. Second try and fix the situation. Third see how it all pans out and if you have done all that you can...let em go! On their own!

[fridaynightfun]

complain complain thats what some do... i think thats part of the sport we dont need and for racer22 he should come back to nss could use the car count even if he rides in the back or he should try osw...it seems tech will only do there job if you put up the money...it hard on the wallet just racing on a friday or sat.night let alone put money up

[Boneman]

I guess I didn't make myself clear... I'm not proposing wholesale banning of teams. No way. I wasn't even referring directly to racer22. What I really had in mind was a short list of characters who come to the track every week and run their flap about how much better things are elsewhere, and how terrible things are here. With those, I am out of patience. I think we are better off without them.

Now I am also a reasonable guy, and I know that things can change over time. If those same racers ever wanted to bury the hatchet, strap in and race, then Rex the track owner would have no problem welcoming them back.

[Don Nerone]

think your starting to get it. and at one time you? were the biggest crybabby i had.
Sure miss you. Do you miss me yet?
going to take some more meds.
don62

[Boneman]

Don, you are dead wrong. I never, ever cried about anything at the track. I am opinionated on here, but never at the track.

Lets see....who are we better off without? Hmmm... There is somebody....hang on, its just about to come to me....

[BTyler99]

It's funny how us (racers ) spend all this money to go have fun and yet it seems that some manage to leave the track so upset they can't see straight. I can understand the occasional wreck, parts failure etc etc leaving you upset every few night , but at what point is it better just to leave and go take yourself some where else where you might actually leave with a smile on your face?

Maybe everyone should try and voice their issues the right way. If tech is doing a poor job find the track manager or owner; complaining week in and week out on a message board or to your fellow racers does 0 good for anyone. I understand sometimes sketchy stuff happens at tracks and complaints can fall on deaf ears, but in the end were all there to have a good time. It's unbelievably easy to loose sight of this and to do the wrong thing. Instead of wasting your breath or beating your head against a keyboard just go some place that you can have fun and leave happy at the end of the night!