Desoto Speedway - Keep these folks in your prayers today

[Racefan99]

A portion of the grandstands collapsed last night at Desoto Super Speedway, two rows from the top, on the pit side.

A few people fell, backwards, hitting portions of the metal framework as they fell to the ground. EMS came, and I personally saw them strap two people to backboards, and wheel them out. I don't know if any others were also involved. One was totally prone on the backboard, and appeared to have injuries. Another that I saw was a male who was strapped to the board, but was holding his head up. So, he didn't appear to be as bad as the other.

Please keep these folks in your prayers. I don't know which racers they were with.

[Rick Anges]

Our track Chaplin Eric went to the hospital with them and reported that although bruised and banged up both appeared to be fine. They were going into x-ray as a precaution is what I was told as I left the track tonite.

[Bigbuck]

What a shame, for everyone involved. I hope everything works out ok for everyone.

[VeaseyRacing]

Tragic news. I hope for the best.

[derf]

They're lucky compared to the collapse at the Indiana State Fairgrounds last night. Have not been to Desoto before but have been to some other tracks. Some of the grandstands are dicey at best. Hope that everyone involved makes out ok

[Rick Anges]

The grandstands did not collapse. Our Track Chaplin Eric Peterman informed us before I left the track last night that everything being done at the hospital was precautionary and the two young mean involved were going to be ok. I will post more info as I recieve it.

[Osmosis Jones]

Okay...

...if they didn't "collapse" then what exactly happened?

Let's get some facts out before the wild stories start. You know that I know what condition the grandstands are in, Rick. IMHO I'm surprised this hasn't happened before. I've personally seen boards that were broken and split for months at a time on the pit side. Who's to say the metal supports are in any better shape after so many years?
If somebody posted that the stands had collapsed, given my own experiences and knowledge of the condition of the stands and until I heard differently from someone who was there and whose word I trust....then I definitely would believe it.

Shoot us some facts from the night. And, yes, I do know who it was that fell.


Matt

[Racefan99]

...if they didn't "collapse" then what exactly happened?

Let's get some facts out before the wild stories start. You know that I know what condition the grandstands are in, Rick. IMHO I'm surprised this hasn't happened before. I've personally seen boards that were broken and split for months at a time on the pit side. Who's to say the metal supports are in any better shape after so many years?
If somebody posted that the stands had collapsed, given my own experiences and knowledge of the condition of the stands and until I heard differently from someone who was there and whose word I trust....then I definitely would believe it.

Shoot us some facts from the night. And, yes, I do know who it was that fell.


Matt

I WAS THERE, and the word "COLLAPSE" is what the freaking track staff used when we were talking to him. Not my word, it was straight from the Desoto Track Staff!

Not sure what your dictionary says, but when two people are sitting in the grandstands, watching the OWM heat races, and the row they are sitting on suddenly gives way, causing them to fall to the ground, with apparent injuries........ Rick can call it whatever the heck he wants as his John-speak, but the truth is what it is.

These people weren't able to get up after they fell to the ground. The races were stopped, EMS was called, and then they strapped these people to backboards and took them away. This was something I saw, so believe what you want and trust whoever you want, I don't give a crap. But, the truth can't be altered by a bunch of know-it-all Karnicians who weren't there, posting from behind their keyboards, a PA Announcer who was on the opposite side of the track, or a Chaplain who went to the hospital after.

[carolwicks]

hmmmmmmm

a few years back i saw a woman walking down the pit bleachers in front of the beer stand and about 3 steps before the ground the board split in two and she fell thru. luckily she was not injured. she could have had serious leg injuries. The fact is the bleachers have been in need of repairs for a long time and if it they had been these guys probably would not have been injured.
wood rots over time and when a patron notices damage they should report it to the staff and it should be fixed before the next race. Has nothing to do with liking people or not. has to do with the safety of patrons....
Thank you!
Carol Wicks

[carolwicks]

meant to say...

hope the guys who fell have a complete recovery and not hurting too bad. i know who you are and will keep you in my prayers. God bless...
also thinking of the people who died and were injured in Indiana at the Sugarland concert. what a horrid thing...
Carolwicks

[gene davis]

The board that you put your feet on broke. Both of the guys stood up at the same time and the board broke. Ems did a great job until the county's ems got there. The track tries to stay on top of fixing the bad boards, but every now and then they may miss one. When a fan tells us about a safety issue, it is taken care of asap. Thank God, both people could have been hurt worst. They were both bruised, but no broken bones. Yes, I was there.

[carolwicks]

Gene...

the boards should be safe for 10 people to walk on. when a race is over everyone walks down at the same time. it is sometimes hard to "see" rot as the wood can rot from the inside and not be noticeable until its too late. not sure what the answer is... just sad when it happens...
carolwicks

[DeMan951]

Gene the grandstands have been in poor shape for years. Every time I visit DeSoto I make sure that while walking up the grandstands to spot I walk where the boards meet and sit right there too. The last time I didn't even trust that and just sat a few rows up. I pray that these people make a full recovery what a horrible way to get hurt.

[justpassinby]

re get-er-done

sounds like its time to send a couple employees with a truck and trailer to home depot .

[Rick Williamson]

I know from the time My family started racing down there (2003 to 2006) there WERE boards that needed replacing. It's one of the last places a track will spend money. And yes we can all name other tracks where we have seen bad boards in the stands. Isn't it funny that this happened on the PIT side. Where you have to pay to be in the show.