What IS, and What IS NOT "Track Bashing"?

[Shiny Side Up 18]

I don't intend to stir anything up with this question, but this is something that I've been wondering for some time. It seems to me that there is no clear-cut definition of track/series "bashing". I personally believe there is a place for constructive criticism. However, I've seen on social media numerous occasions of a commenter being eviscerated by fans or volunteers at certain tracks for merely sharing their feelings about something like schedule changes or track conditions. These comments are frequently met with "STOP BASHING OUR TRACK! THIS IS WHY TRACKS CLOSE!!!", and basically shunning the commenter. There was a lenghty post on a track's (that will remain nameless in this post) Facebook page this week regarding "negativity" after an event, and that "negative comments" would be deleted. What do you all think about this? I am personally tired of the "Social media is killing our sport" mantra. It just feels like a copout excuse to shut down any kind of criticism or personal opinion (unless of course, it's a positive one, complete with puppies and rainbows). I'm not saying I could run a track or series "better", since I wouldn't know the first thing about being a promoter or director. I just don't like the idea of silencing paying customers for merely sharing opinions, whether they be positive or negative. I've never seen anybody shut down for sharing a positive opinion. What are your thoughts? Where is the line between opining and full-blown "bashing"? (Please excuse my lackluster writing abilities as writing is not one of my strong suits.)

[Buckeye SLM]

I don't intend to stir anything up with this question, but this is something that I've been wondering for some time. It seems to me that there is no clear-cut definition of track/series "bashing". I personally believe there is a place for constructive criticism. However, I've seen on social media numerous occasions of a commenter being eviscerated by fans or volunteers at certain tracks for merely sharing their feelings about something like schedule changes or track conditions. These comments are frequently met with "STOP BASHING OUR TRACK! THIS IS WHY TRACKS CLOSE!!!", and basically shunning the commenter. There was a lenghty post on a track's (that will remain nameless in this post) Facebook page this week regarding "negativity" after an event, and that "negative comments" would be deleted. What do you all think about this? I am personally tired of the "Social media is killing our sport" mantra. It just feels like a copout excuse to shut down any kind of criticism or personal opinion (unless of course, it's a positive one, complete with puppies and rainbows). I'm not saying I could run a track or series "better", since I wouldn't know the first thing about being a promoter or director. I just don't like the idea of silencing paying customers for merely sharing opinions, whether they be positive or negative. I've never seen anybody shut down for sharing a positive opinion. What are your thoughts? Where is the line between opining and full-blown "bashing"? (Please excuse my lackluster writing abilities as writing is not one of my strong suits.)

Two issues: everyone is for “free speech” or speaking your mind until it’s different from their opinion & there is no tone of voice, facial or body expressions with social media so regardless of how something is said, it can’t always translate into good intentions. In other words, if someone is in a bad mood and reads it, it can likely be taken the wrong way. But if they’re in a good mood when they read it, it can have a whole different meaning. If someone wants to offer the slightest negative comment, they should just PM the track/series directly so things don’t get out of hand and one comment turn into something completely not related to the issue with the track when they get blasted by other commenters. JMO

[golddirt]

I know of one track that people messaged the promoter only to be banned

[dirty-white-boy]

I don't intend to stir anything up with this question, but this is something that I've been wondering for some time. It seems to me that there is no clear-cut definition of track/series "bashing". I personally believe there is a place for constructive criticism. However, I've seen on social media numerous occasions of a commenter being eviscerated by fans or volunteers at certain tracks for merely sharing their feelings about something like schedule changes or track conditions. These comments are frequently met with "STOP BASHING OUR TRACK! THIS IS WHY TRACKS CLOSE!!!", and basically shunning the commenter. There was a lenghty post on a track's (that will remain nameless in this post) Facebook page this week regarding "negativity" after an event, and that "negative comments" would be deleted. What do you all think about this? I am personally tired of the "Social media is killing our sport" mantra. It just feels like a copout excuse to shut down any kind of criticism or personal opinion (unless of course, it's a positive one, complete with puppies and rainbows). I'm not saying I could run a track or series "better", since I wouldn't know the first thing about being a promoter or director. I just don't like the idea of silencing paying customers for merely sharing opinions, whether they be positive or negative. I've never seen anybody shut down for sharing a positive opinion. What are your thoughts? Where is the line between opining and full-blown "bashing"? (Please excuse my lackluster writing abilities as writing is not one of my strong suits.)

It really depends on whether the person its directed to is smart enough to recognize it as criticism and not take it personally. We live in a society that loves to point blame to others and not take the complaints to heart.

[ptown]

If it’s the truth it’s not bashing.

[TerryM]

There's a difference between normal criticism and track bashing. I think most people understand the difference.

This is in no way directed at you, Shiny.

[golddirt]

Well crap, I have to agree with ptown

[NormP]

What happened to talking to the promoter or track personnel face to face?

[ptown]

Well crap, I have to agree with ptown

Welcome to the dark side goldy.

[President Clinton]

Anyone that stands to lose any money (promoter,journalists,YouTube channel,photographers etc...) will take everything that is not positive and uplifting as bashing, because it might negatively influence their income. I really like Kenny Wallace, but he is a fine example of this, with his taking up for NASCAR. He knows but would stand to loose without NASCAR (job=income)

[Clayton_Wetter]

It does no good generally to contact a promoter and give them valid criticism. That is exactly what most of them would want you to do. Then they can most likely ignore it and the public does not see anything about it. That is all too convenient for them as the issues get quietly swept under the rug. And you the fan, get to feel personal satisfaction for nothing in reality.

[illiniracing]

Anyone that stands to lose any money (promoter,journalists,YouTube channel,photographers etc...) will take everything that is not positive and uplifting as bashing, because it might negatively influence their income. I really like Kenny Wallace, but he is a fine example of this, with his taking up for NASCAR. He knows but would stand to loose without NASCAR (job=income)

One time on twitter Kenny was complaining about having to go to a different place to film something because of a network outage.As he was driving he just happened to pass a couple of Xfinity guys working in the rain repairing a cable.Needless to say he proceeded to bad mouth them and blame them for his delay.I called him out on it and said those guys are just a couple of working men who are just doing their jobs.F*ucking P*ssy blocked me lol

[ptown]

One time on twitter Kenny was complaining about having to go to a different place to film something because of a network outage.As he was driving he just happened to pass a couple of Xfinity guys working in the rain repairing a cable.Needless to say he proceeded to bad mouth them and blame them for his delay.I called him out on it and said those guys are just a couple of working men who are just doing their jobs.F*ucking P*ssy blocked me lol

Like I have said many times he’s a fake a phony a con man and a NASCAR POS.

[gjohnston]

I won’t bash a track but I will bash the idiots who run a track.

[Snowmanracr21]

track bashing is usually always the result of a badly run or promoted race track. If the track closes and then blames track bashing its because it was poorly managed and owners and promotors still blame everyone else but themselves