Soccer-style riot feared from NASCAR ’Bubbas’

TALLADEGA, Ala. – Team owner Rick Hendrick said maybe it's time to start selling beer at the racetracks in paper cups. Not a bad idea, although – and I know this is a crazy thought – not selling beer at all might even be better.

Another shower of beer cans rained down on Talladega Superspeedway's track today, leaving several cars, including the Chevrolet of race winner Jeff Gordon, scarred and dented.

Fortunately, no one was hurt on the racetrack or pit lane – although spectators may have been injured by the hailstorm of aluminum.

It was a frightening and shameful display, apparently brought on by Gordon winning another Talladega race cut short by a caution flag – as he did in the spring of 2004 when he beat Dale Earnhardt Jr.

After an outburst from fans of his late father last week in Phoenix after Gordon tied The Intimidator at 76 victories, Junior asked fans of he and his father to throw toilet paper, not beer cans, if they need to protest at the track.

On Sunday, I saw one roll of toilet tissue rolling down the track. Beer cans were scattered – and splattered – everywhere.

I completely understand the disappointment of the Earnhardt fans and the anti-Gordon faction. It's really no different than a Red Sox fan upset and angry after the Yankees come from behind for a win in Fenway Park, or the Pittsburgh Steelers beating the Browns in Cleveland.

I've seen fights break out in the stands in each of those cases.

Still, this outburst was on a much bigger scale and has the potential to escalate in the future into a real mob scene or even a soccer-style riot. More at AP article