Talladega track bans 14 fans FOR LIFE

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Fourteen auto racing fans who were identified as throwing objects onto the Talladega Superspeedway track after Sunday's Aaron's 499 will never again be allowed to purchase a ticket at the track, speedway officials said Monday.

The fans were arrested Sunday and charged with disorderly conduct, according to Talladega County Sheriff Jerry Studdard. All posted bond at jail facilities located at the speedway and were released, Studdard said. Disorderly conduct is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $500. Numerous fans peppered the track with beer cans following Jeff Gordon's win Sunday.

That win allowed Gordon to surpass the late Dale Earnhardt in career wins on what would have been Earnhardt's 56th birthday. Talladega Speedway officials had warned all week that fans caught throwing objects over the fence that separates the grandstands from the track would be arrested. Track President Grant Lynch also made that announcement over the public address system before the race, and warnings were posted on track guides issued to fans before the race. Additional security was placed in the stands.

Lynch said he knows that more fans than 14 threw objects, but pinpointing the culprits was more difficult than he imagined. He was in the stands at the race's conclusion but was unable to identify a single person throwing an object onto the track.

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People that do stupid things like this give all NASCAR fans a bad rap...just as a few irresponsible hunters or fisherman can do the same to all outdoorsman.

I am very disappointed that a few people who "call themselves" NASCAR fans would be so disrespectful and ignorant as to do something to tarnish the incredible feat that Jeff Gordon, the 24 team, and the entire Hendrick Racing Organization accomplished that day===>>>They passed the late, great Dale Earnhardt for sole possession of 6th on the All-Time Career Wins list.

Now I am a die hard Dale Earnhardt fan (have been since the mid 80's), and have never been a Jeff Gordon fan, but I have to admit that Jeff Gordon can drive a race car and his team and entire organization are getting the job done. Even if you don't like a guy for whatever reason, if you call yourself a NASCAR fan, you have to give the guy and his team the respect that they have earned and deserve.

There is some preconceived notion out there that if you liked Dale, you can't like or respect Jeff. Also, that Jeff and Dale were fierce enemies and you can't like both...that's incorrect. Yes, Jeff and Dale did have a fierce competitive battle on the track, but they were also good friends who had built mutual respect and admiration for each other on and off the track. They joined forces to start Chase Authentics and a few other business ventures as well. Dale mentored Jeff on how to be an ambassador of the sport, and how to take the jeers with the cheers. If Dale could respect Jeff, I would think that he would like his fans to do the same !!! Just for the record, throwing stuff after a great accomplishment is not respect.