…Watching the activity at Martinsville this evening I noted the line hasn’t been moved back away from the track yet, as I thought it was to be by now…That is, to make room for improvements at the track and with safety in mind for the fans. [8D]
…We must not have any Nascar fans on here but…did anyone see the dozens and dozens of fans walking down the railroad track…right on the track…after the race today and that is a well used route…!
Im a nascar fan. but i didnt see what you are talking about. thing is i was working. but i bet the people move when a train does come
From what i understand the improvements will be made in the off season.
…Yes, we hope the folks would move if activity on the track appears…but I couldn’t believe how many were walking down the tracks to perhaps where they had parked after the race. The rails are real shiny there and I have seen trains go through while a race is being run…Dozens of people were not only walking on the ROW, but between the rails,etc…The info I read was this work was to start after last season and I didn’t see any change from the aerial views I saw yesterday…
People walking on the tracks is as American as apple pie, although also the Russians do it in Russia.
I saw the tracks, you can see it every time they go to the blimp over the race track. With about 120 laps to go a NS unit coal train went by, (very slow, I’m sure the crew wanted to watch for fans and some action!) Even one of the tv race commentators, I think it was ol D.W. said “Hey look, here comes a train!” The cameras panned over to to it and you can really see how close the tracks are and NO FENCE! That really surprized me! But they could add several thousand seats if those tracks weren’t there. It would be neat to build seats over the tracks then fans can’t walk along them any more.
heavyd…It is my understanding the tracks are to be moved away from the back stretch side of the track about 350 ft…and yes, then extend the capacity of the stands and…by removing the tracks beyond the parking lot people won’t have to cross over them to access the track, etc…I missed the train passing yesterday…was away from watching it at times.
I saw that too. ( was there an old Conrail unit on that coal drag, too?
Take ur camera…watch the race and railfan…like killing two birds with one 12 guage shell [;)]
This would be the best place to stage an Operation Lifesaver event, during a NASCAR Nextell Cup race…Let J. Gordon be the victim
I am hopping the NS placed a slow order on this section of track near the “track” for the simple reason of the amount of people that attented the race, there is bound to be someone walking near the track . I have seen CSX do this for a parade, with the instructions to be on the look out for people on or about the track.
According to NASCAR.com, the tracks are to be moved and the seating is going to be enlarged. Right now they have 93,000 seats and want around 100,000. This is the first year since 1996 that I missed a Martinsville race on TV and i’ve only seen one train go through. ~GO JG!~
…If the darned track would not have damaged Jeff’s car Sunday he would have had a great chance of winning it…Again…!
…What about Matt Kenseth, Dale Jarret, and Jeff Burton?
At least Rusty won the thing, although I wish he could have won it in a [bow]FORD.[bow]
Jeff is the one that suffered the damage and lost track position from the track failure.
Rusty’s win was definiteley “one for the old folks”.
Pretty sure that I heard (during the TV show) that M’ville and NS have a deal for the “shoofly” – M’ville pays…
Who’s Jeff Gordon ??
If it doesn’t have a “3” or an “E” on the side; it isn’t worth watching !!
Talledega here we come !!
I’ll be civil about this…and I also happen to have a “3” on the back window of one of my vehicles. “Unknown” Gordon happens to have 4 championships and more wins in a shorter period of time than any other modern era driver. And as for the NS railroad, I would wager they won’t be paying for the relocation of track that will be benefitting another concern.
I’ll help relocate the tracks for free NASCAR tickets!!!
The track is to be moved back and the new seats will be added to the backstretch after the fall Winston… ummm… NEXTEL Cup race on October the 24. The seats were to be added in last year before the fall race but instead seats were added over-top the suites in turns 1 and 2.
I loved that train… combined my 2 loves at once, trains and NASCAR. I snaped a few shots of it. The engineer even gave a freindly wave and a blow of the horn ( possibly to the idiots on the tracks) to the fans. I believe the 3rd loco was a Conrail, I’ll watch my tape to find out. Did anyone see the 2 NS pushers on the end of the train?