Who knew a sign could go viral, as was the case for Caney Valley Speedway. The Kansas dirt track posted its signs for four rules on Facebook. Then, the comments came and came to the point the track has since deleted the post.
“All we are trying to do is make our track fan-friendly,” said track owner Kerry Gorby.
No re-entry? Why not?
“Our rules are keeping people from going out in the parking lot, drinking or doing drugs, and then returning to the grandstand, fighting or causing vandalism,” Jeremy Berry, who heads up marketing for the track, said. “Other events have the same rule.”
No outside sporting equipment? Why not?
“People trying to enjoy the races have been hit by frisbees and balls,” said Berry. “Two fans had eyeglasses broken from being hit by balls last season. We don’t allow sporting equipment and they say we are against kids.”
Not outside food or drinks? Why not?
“Other events have the same rule,” Berry said. “We sell food and drinks. What venue allows you to bring your own food and drinks?”
Lastly, and, perhaps the most controversial one, no guns, no dogs and no coolers allowed.
“I’m not against guns,” said Gorby. “A man with a gun on his hip had people freaking out last season. I just want a crowd of racing fans to come in with ease and peace of mind. I don’t want people walking around with open-carry guns.”
Berry theorized that the Facebook algorithm favored the use of the word “guns,” which then propelled the post worldwide.
“Once you get someone hating, the hatred spreads,” said Berry. “Some of the commentors profiles are all hate. The sad thing is that most of them are Republicans. That’s unfortunate, because we are all Republicans here. These people are bashing fellow Republicans, not liberals or Democrats. People read headlines, but they don’t take the time to read further.”
This situation exemplifies what promoters fear from social media, according to Gorby.
“Social media could be a great promotional tool, but over the years, it has deteriorated,” Gorby said. “It upsets me to see what people think and post, with no regard to whom they are affecting.”
Berry had a positive take on the viral post of Caney Valley Speedway.
“People who love the track took time to defend it and remind others how Kerry saved it from oblivion,” said Berry. “Nothing will shut the haters up like a packed house, and we are getting that.”
Mike Adaskaveg has written hundreds of stories since the website’s inception. This year marks his 54th year of covering auto racing. Adaskaveg got his start working for track photographer Lloyd Burnham at Connecticut’s Stafford Motor Speedway in 1970. Since then, he’s been a columnist, writer, and photographer, in racing and in mainstream media, for several outlets, including the Journal Inquirer, Boston Herald, Stock Car Racing, and Speedway Illustrated. Among Adaskaveg’s many awards are the 1992 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Ace Lane Photographer of the Year and the 2019 National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) George Cunningham Writer of the Year.
