Lightning Strike Kills 1, Injures 9 at Pocono NASCAR Race
- Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:00pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo: AP)
(The Blaze/AP) — A lightning strike in the parking lot at Pocono Raceway after a rain-shortened NASCAR race Sunday killed one person and injured nine others, racetrack officials said.
It wasn’t immediately clear if all 10 people were actually struck by lightning in the parking lot behind the grandstand, nor was it known whether one or multiple strikes occurred during the thunderstorm.
Two people were taken to hospitals in critical condition after the strike, racetrack officials said. President Brandon Igdalsky said one of them later died at Pocono Medical Center, but he provided few other details.
(Photo: AP)
“Our thoughts and prayers with those involved in today’s lightning strike at the Raceway,” track officials said in a statement.
“Unfortunately, one of our fans, who was critically injured, was pronounced (dead on arrival) at the Pocono Medical Center in Stroudsburg…We ask for our fans to please keep all affected, and their families, in your prayers.”
The race was called because of storms, with 98 of the 160 scheduled laps completed. The track posted warnings on its Twitter page near the end of the race encouraging fans to “seek shelter as severe lightning and heavy winds are in our area.” Public announcements were also made.
Crew members push Ryan Newman's car in a downpour that shortened the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race, Sunday, Aug. 5, 2012. (Photo: AP)
Jeff Gordon, who won the race, said he could hear a huge crack as he walked down the pit road during the storm.
“We were walking down pit road, the umbrellas weren’t doing any good and there was a huge, huge crack from lightning,” Gordon explained. “You could tell it was very close. That‘s the thing that’s going to take away from the victory is the fact that somebody was affected by that.”
One person remained hospitalized in critical condition at Lehigh Valley Hospital Center, a track spokesman said. The other five people were taken to various hospitals with minor to moderate injuries.
“That’s just so unfortunate, because (the fans) are so loyal and avid here, so you hate to hear something like that,” Gordon reiterated at a post-race press conference.
“Certainly our thoughts are with them.”
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isobamamadd
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 1:51pmAw man ,Now the goonies will want to Ban Rain,Electricity, Race cars,Popcorn,Advertizing and Hot Dogs if they are served with lager than a 16 oz drink..
Report Post »hi
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:12am“Certainly our thoughts are with them.”`Gorden
Let’s pray for Jeff Gordon too!
Report Post »scrudge
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 7:03amAh Yes….. never thought much about nascar racing…. after all of the restrictions… it reminds me of politics
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 6:26amI was watching that race and in the post-race show, when the broadcast suddenly cut out, I chuckled that the broadcast equipment just got struck by lightning. Now, I feel bad for that, realizing that it didn’t need to be a direct hit on just materiel for the effect I saw on TV and that real people were really hurt by its effects as well.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 2:50pm.
Report Post »In Pocono, the TV compound is directly behind the grandstand.
They run on generators, so they didn’t lose power, but with all the
interconnect cables, they may have been affected by lightning.
Hopefully, all the camera guys got off the roof in time.
Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 3:11amNo One ever questions soccer deaths but they do a NASCAR fan death?At least 74 people died in a Soccer match in Egypt in Feb. 94 fans of the Liverpool soccer club had been fatally injured in 89.
Report Post »Hoax And Chains
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 6:48amIsn’t that because most soccer fans kill themselves and others in moronic stampedes?
Report Post »joeb22
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 8:09amNow how in tarnation do soccer deaths back in 1989 have ANYTHING to do with someone being struck by lightning yesterday at a NASCAR race???????????
????????????
Report Post »yougottabekidding
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:55amMostly happen in socialist countries caused by fights and idiots,
Report Post »good point. Nothing to do with a lightning strike.
What amazes me is the stupidity of the crew in the middle of the pit
lane under an umbrella. You could have just as easily been the ones
Paul
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 12:39amDo “everyone” a favor and ignore the Trolls on this one…
Think about it….
Report Post »NevergiveinNever
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 1:57amI love Nascar also…..however we must address this….because we know it will hit the media…..WHY years ago was weather forecasted with more efficiency then now? Where there any warnings given to Nascar officials about the severity of this storm? Is Nascar getting so involved in the chase that the ones who ‘are in charge’ ignore warnings? Has the sport become so $$$$ oriented instead of real life oriented that the sport must go on no matter what? Nascar fans, I am hoping, will be the ones that take responsibility for them selves and would be informed of dangerous weather. I am hoping that they just didn’t attend thinking that the ones in charge (like govt.) knew the risks….Nascar please do not become like other sports….money first and the sport is more important than the safety of participants…..
Report Post »NevergiveinNever
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 2:09amNo when the lightening stuck, there should have been no declared winner…..someone should have taken over and said ‘all victory’ cancelled…..the officials knew that some of the fans had been struck..this is what we expect,,,,,and I love Nascar….someone decided to go to declare a ‘winner’ but we expect more out of Nascar……a fan was killed …..if I know the good ones they will come forward and say enough of the new age of making it on the media….nascar needs to get a grip and quit trying to evolve with this sick media age…..
Report Post »Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 6:31amIs that what the rule books say? Everyone conducts these competitions according to the same rules. If we can just change, ignore, or make up rules as we go, then what does that say about the nature of the competition? If the race runs more than half of the scheduled laps, it’s official and must be tallied as such. The leader of the race at the point where it was determined it could not be finished was Jeff Gordon, as much as I might wish it had been Stewart. Jeff needs these championship points to make his season. Should the rules that grant them to him be disregarded due to conditions that are beyond not only his, but everyone’s control?
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 6:46am@Lesbian Packing Hollow Points
Report Post »I’ve occasionally read your posts and I have to admit, you are very fair and balanced. I think if we knew each other off line we’d be friends, especially since I discover you’re a Stewart fan! I really don’t like Jeff Gordon.
yougottabekidding
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 2:55pmNevergivein
Report Post »So by your logic if a fan dies in a accident on the way home they should declare no winner for that race! Or is there a set distance from the track or some other factor that would make it okay to consider it a complete race?
Get a grip
LeadNotFollow
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:59pm…
Report Post »I love NASCAR. It’s one of the few remaining sports that is still clean.
The drivers and pit crews are held to high morals and clean living.
It is so sad that some fans were struck by lightning. Prayers for all.
Fishmanone
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 11:23pmAnd they punish the drivers that break the rules!!! (A.J. Allmendinger)!!!
Report Post »rox
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 12:54amIt’s still a great sport. It’s fun to have a “favorite” driver.
Report Post »LB
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 1:19amThey should get a Chick-fil-A car on one of the teams
Report Post »antiprogressive
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 1:46amI USED to love NASCAR.
Then the “progressive” ideas took hold.
Now it is illegal to have one style of car with a better windtunnel test than another.
NASCAR takes the best car and “upgrades” the others to match.
Effects the spoilers, wings, damper force etc.
Same with suspension, cubic inches and most everything else.
If you paint them all the same color, the only difference will be the badge on the front.
Motors aren’t built in Detroit anymore. All machine shop specials.
None of the cars are available even CLOSE to NASCAR specs on the showroom floor.
Gone are the days when Richard Petty could run on the track with a 426Hemi Dodge Daytona and kick serious butt because Chrysler did their homework and built something absolutely superior to every other car on the track.
Further, they used to have to SELL a minimum of 500 cars to the general public before the car could be used on the track.
That CANNOT happen today as the cars are not available.
The major manufacturers no longer put the money into R&D they used to as everyone else gets to take advantage of 1 company’s gains.
And let’s not even TALK about restrictor plates…
As REAL drivers used to say – If you can’t stand the speed, stay off the track.
Yes, NASCAR races for money instead of striking for raises.
My highest level of praise goes out to them for that.
But it’s not what it used to be.
And God’s speed to the one that died from the lightning strike…
Report Post »pickupyurcross
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 5:25pmAnti progressive, if that’s the type of racing you want, you should check out the Continental Tires Challenge Series in Grand Am. Mustangs, Camaros, Porsches, BMWs, Aston Martins, MINIs, Hondas, Mazdas all battling it out on road courses with 70+ cars on the track at each race. Lots of great racing and fun to watch. Very few modifications.
Report Post »Cavy from VA
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 9:12pmDear Antiprogressive
I’ve been a NASCAR fan for 30+ years … I remember Bill Elliott lapping the field 4 times … boring … I recall David Pearson running away with races … Richard Petty won his 200th race in front of President Regan … Fixed for sure … The racing today reflects DRIVER SKILL … having the “money” to outspend your competetors is a thing of the past. Just remember … Jimmy Spencer won Michigan on the last race that Jr. Johnson’s team HAD TO WIN to stay on the winners circle program … Money again. The driver that wins today does so by skill and just a little expertise of the team. Racing is far better today than it was “back in the day”. Kyle Bush wins because he can drive … not because of Gibbs racing … he has proved it in his own ride (trucks and Nationwide) over and over again.
TEA!!
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:58pmGod be with the families of the injured and the one who fell.
Report Post »spirited
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 11:47pmYes…….amen.
Report Post »Paul
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 12:32amPrayers to Family & Friends…
Report Post »CatB
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 12:50amAmen.
Report Post »conservative beckhater
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 12:20pmGod caused the lighning obviously to express His displeasure. God-fearing people know this.
Report Post »izzy1127
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 12:57pmGod bless the family in this tragedy, and my he bless the trolls on here for being so stupid and ignorant.
Report Post »conservative beckhater
Posted on August 6, 2012 at 2:11pmStupid is believing in the supernatural because you were indoctrinated into it as a child and never made the effort to think on your own.
Report Post »ProScrub
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:53pmGrow up and have a little sympathy guys. What are you back in 3rd grade?
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:52pmPray for the victims. (that was close to home.)
Report Post »Gorp
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:49pmIt will be reported as being Bachmann’s, Limbaugh’s, Beck’s and Tea Parties fault for Lightning Hate Speech.
Report Post »marcus_arealius
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:19pmThe Democrats will be calling for making lightning illegal. No one needs a lightning bolt.
Report Post »MODEL82A1
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:13pmCountdown to Death Wishes for NASCAR fans from Lefty Hate-Mongers in…….. 3…2….1……
Report Post »mercenary4freedom
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 10:26pmBan lightning!
Report Post »The Gooch
Posted on August 5, 2012 at 11:24pmAin’t that the truth. I had free HBO a few weeks ago and watched Maher (know your enemy, yes?). One of Maher’s guests was a smug, liberal punk (fat, by the way) who was giddy that Bloomberg’s war on soda would affect “the NASCAR crowd”. I don’t care for NASCAR, but wish no ill upon any man in general (even progressives). Progressives often admit their disdain and disgust for their fellow man… but, sure, they ALWAYS have the collective’s best interest in mind. Right?
Report Post »And certainly, let’s ban fun, cars, lightning, rain and death.