So What’s All The Fuss About?

By:  Carol Bell

**Author's note: This is a “companion” piece to PattyKay Lilley’s recent column “A Voice For The Fans ~ What’s On Your Schedule?”

Longtime race fans wear black for a number of reasons. Some of those reasons have been tied to the loss of one of the sport's most beloved drivers. For a number of years though, the reason is more profound. They’re in mourning.

The loss of so many long held traditions over a short period of time is akin to losing a dear friend. Some have even taken shots from those who don’t understand what the fuss is about. So let’s take a look at some of the obvious and not so obvious reasons that fans are, well, really ticked off.

Naturally, losing a foundation track that helped form the history of the sport, and may have been one to three hours from home, is going to hurt. Losing two is catastrophic. Losing three may well feel something like watching a tornado level your house as well as your hometown. Being blamed for the disaster (low attendance, although these venues didn’t have the mega number of seats the new palaces have),  is tantamount to being blamed for setting fire to Mrs. O’Leary’s barn.