1 fan was killed and several injured by a lightning strike following the race . Here's the story from Yahoo sports . http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nascar-from-the-marbles/ten-fans-affe...

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yeah a lot of people that called into the Sirius show asked the same thing " why didn't those people just let the tents go " but I know I would've probably done the same thing trying to save the tent . Not thinking bout the lightning . It was just luck or higher power or whatever you believe like you said you were only a few yards away and did get jolted but not as much as the other people . If I were you either go to church and do some thanking or to you closest casino and gamble with your luck lol
Nature is powerful and it is an outdoor sport. Sad to say but almost nothing could have prevented, other than the removal of any flagpoles fans set up in the parking lot. I been to plenty of tracks, and during weather situations including tornados and they always had adaquate plans for the fans.
Nothing more to say but the situation just sucks. My condolences go out to the family.

The National Weather Service had issued a warning for severe weather. At that point, NASCAR should have red-flagged the race, and the track should have directed fans to take cover.

As a professional weather man states it:

It starts from NASCAR all the way down to the track. Because people will stick around as long as cars are on the track, it's NASCAR's responsibility to say, "We're going to stop things right now because it looks bad. Lightning is a possibility, and the safety of our crews, our drivers, our personnel, our media and the fans is at stake."

At that point, the track needs to come out and tell the fans, "We've got severe weather in the area. You need to either go to your car – and we'll let you back in later – or seek shelter underneath the stands."

(Full article here)

Leaving the cars on the track, in the rain when a storm is imminent is grossly negligent. Odd coincidence too, that the race was called around a quarter-to-the-hour, just in time for ESPN to wrap up the broadcast before the next scheduled show, but not have too much empty air to fill.

As per Trading Paint on Sirius Radio : Pocono Speedway released a statement pertaining to the victims stating they're condolences to the families involved and has started a memorial fund for them . Glad they stepped up and again prayers go out to all involved .
Just saw this article from nascar.com . Just to get their side of the tragedy I thought I post it too .
http://m.nascar.com/primary/wk_cup_article?articleId=urn:newsml:NAS...
Thanks Mike I didn't see the ESPN 1 . It's just so sad my heart keeps going out to the families involved . Really makes you appreciate the time we have . :~)

Three races ago (I believe) at Watkins Glen it was status normal, the command came drivers STA...........no drivers get out of your cars and run!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm in the mood so i'll lay it out. I've been in every situation at the track that there is other than snow (bring it on) That day at the Glen my buddy was rocked off his shit by one one of those filtering crisp crinkle cut rip fuckers that tear your ears off if not for lack of natural selection many other parts, while running for cover. That day NAZICAR held true to its "everything in our power to get the race started at blah blah blah. Now don't get this or myself wrong for a second not for a second, but there are "crews" of fans who would be bloodshed if a race was called, tentative and in mild harms way or severe who's to say. At the other end there are fans who scamper at no fault of their own when the threat of severe weather is possible. In the end an exact formulation of what is what is by no means an at hand solution to what ails. At the same time NAZICAR left us high and dry (no pu.....) high and dry that day by the fact that a fan sitting in a grandstand looking out over a shrouded horizon could only guess what the witch is brewing all the while "THEY" are watching a radar screen......... was he to see the approaching misfortune to which not I be aware. Auh.....can I say something????????Thank You. That day NAZ screwed us. I can only imagine the spin on TV about it. I watched many a race from the confines of my cell with a clear and calculating image of the impending weather as idiots like DW string you along like a car salesman as to the "start". It's their job. However when you start to say things like ban this ban that where will it end?????????? in a subservient society made up of clones of the stupidest person they can find ?????????? I've seen wind tear and take apart shelters. I've sat in the POCONO infield on a Monday morning 7AM and had my tent pound and shudder in the left overs of a hurricane come up the East coast. Tragic, that's all you can say. Unwarranted and by the hand of who knows what I'll never know but as horrible as it may seem if any race fan was asked or told to give up any portion to what makes the experience what it is for themselves then hells bells weld the door the fat lady sang her final tune ........the end. My heart is deep. My mind is clear. An exact formulation is an unenviable task for an alteration to the days schedule but by the all mighty as my witness they have dropped the ball more than once prior. However telling fans they "like little children" can't have a canopy if certain weather is coming or "tents are illegal"............no...It was tragic there is a warning system in place by the national weather service and NAZICAR is exempt. Exemption from logic common sense and the simple adherence to brotherhood that holds in each others hands the safety and welfare of all. Tragic yes, avoidable who knows. Lighten rods present..........any ones guess. That's a mighty flagpole there but lightening is one bird that will never be tamed.

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