Full Throttle

International Speedway Corporation has implemented a text-message based communication system at all of its 12 major motorsports facilities.

First tested at last falls Homestead event the service goes into full service at Darlington this weekend.

The text messaging system allows fans to communicate directly with the racetrack’s command post if assistance is needed in dealing with any special needs inside the facility.

“In our continuing efforts to provide thrilling and safe guest experiences, we are extremely pleased to make this innovative technology available to our guests across all our facilities,” said ISC’s Chief Guest Services Officer Dean Kurtz. “ISS’ (InStadiumSolutions) text messaging system allows fans to communicate instantly with our command center and receive immediate assistance at their location. We are glad to work with ISS on this important customer service initiative for all our race fans.”

Sound good doesn’t it?

To allow quick reporting of drunk/unruly fans or medical emergencies in a crowd of one hundred thousand or more is a good thing. What could possibly go wrong?

This may be a case of be careful of what you wish for, a Coyote catches Road Runner moment, so to speak.

We’ve all seen reports of 911 emergency call abuse, everything from “national” emergencies like fast food joints running out of triple cheeseburgers to wives wanting to know how often they should baste the Thanksgiving turkey.

To think some of these same loons aren’t in attendance at NASCAR events is ignoring the obvious, and it’s not like the text number is some type of super-duper secret.

ISC is posting texting instructions throughout each facility “via static signage and will be regularly broadcast through audio and video public announcements.”

I can see it now, drunk-on-his-butt Bubba planted firmly on his couch is damn tired of Digger, “debris” cautions, or the number of commercials and the text messages will fly faster than Rocket Man Newman can claim a pole position.

Inside the speedways the command centers may be inundated with messages complaining about favoritism shown one driver or another, the price of hot dogs and beer or why a ticket-holders seat is behind a Yao Ming-like fan and they “can’t see Jooonyer and the #88!!!!!!”

In a crowd of one hundred thousand plus the number of “emergencies” could overwhelm the system. If the “loon population” is one tenth of one percent it amounts to 100 texts per every 100k fans, plus all the “Bubbas” at home whining about one thing or another. And the last thing you want to do is piss-off a pack of “Bubbas,” they might get all hostile and RIOT!

I hope it works, really I do, but it has the potential to be a valuable service but it may also be a royal pain in the butt for those that have to monitor the system.