Ridiculous Moments in NASCAR History: In 1986, something unexpected happened at Talladega Superspeedway that shocked NASCAR. A drunk NASCAR fan stole the pace car and took off down the backstretch, throwing the event into chaos. But what led to this wild moment, and what happened when security tried to stop him? This is one of the most bizarre and memorable incidents in NASCAR history.
NASCAR Fans’ Wildest Moments: The Craziest Things They’ve Done at the Track
NASCAR fans are known for their passion, but sometimes, they take it to a whole new level with unexpected and wild antics. At Chicagoland Speedway, one fan stunned the crowd by rolling a motorized couch through the infield, making everyone laugh and adding surprise to the atmosphere. Things got even wilder when a fan brought a monkey, and it was seen sipping on a beer, blending the excitement of the race with a touch of the unexpected.
Security was also caught off guard when a spectator scaled the fence during a race, triggering a caution flag for an unusual reason, showing just how far some fans will go for attention. Some fans went the extra mile by bringing pools and grills to the infield, creating a laid-back vibe at the track. Even Tony Stewart got in on the fun, joining the crowd in this lighthearted racetrack culture.
At Watkins Glen International, another fan made headlines when they jumped the guardrail mid-race, hoping to get an autograph from Matt Kenseth, only to be caught shortly after. But one incident took things to a whole different level when a man stole a NASCAR pace car, taking the chaos and excitement of NASCAR fandom to a whole new extreme.
The Role of the Pace Car in a NASCAR Race
The pace car plays a crucial role in NASCAR races, especially when caution flags are waved. As the name suggests, the pace car “paces” the field, driving ahead of the race cars under a yellow flag. This typically happens when the track needs to be cleared for safety reasons, such as after a crash. The pace car ensures that all cars are driving at a controlled speed, usually around 45 mph, to avoid further incidents while the safety crew clears any wreckage from the track.
One of the key jobs of the pace car is to regulate speed during caution periods. Since NASCAR Cup cars don’t have speedometers, the pace car helps maintain a specific speed, preventing drivers from racing too aggressively while they wait for the track to be cleared. During this time, overtaking is not allowed, and no race car can pass the pace car.
When the caution period ends, the pace car picks up the race leader, and pit roads open. Lead lap cars are allowed to pit first, while lapped cars get a chance to “wave around” the track to regain a lap. The beneficiary rule, also known as the lucky dog rule, allows the first car not on the lead lap to regain a lap.
Once the track is clear and the pace car returns to the pits, the leader sets the pace as the race resumes with the green flag. But what would happen if something unexpected occurred and a fan stole the pace car, which actually happened at Talladega Superspeedway?
The Drunk Fan Who Stole the Pace Car
In 1986, Talladega Superspeedway was filled with excited fans, all ready to watch a thrilling race with famous drivers like Dale Earnhardt, Michael Waltrip, and Richard Petty. Bill Elliott was in the lead after qualifying with an amazing speed of over 209 miles per hour. As the drivers prepared for the race, something unexpected happened that would go down in NASCAR history.
A fan named Darion Crowder, just 20 years old and from Birmingham, Alabama, made his move. Witnesses said he wasn’t wearing a shirt and jumped over two fences to get closer to the racetrack. He spotted the pace car, a 1986 Pontiac Trans-Am, sitting empty.
Crowder saw the keys were still inside and decided to take advantage of the situation. Without hesitation, he started the car and took off, driving at speeds over 100 miles per hour down the backstretch.
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When officials realized what was happening, they tried to stop him by using spare keys, but Crowder kept them out by locking the doors. His stunt didn’t last long, though, as security quickly caught up with him and pulled him from the car. He was arrested and faced several charges, including resisting arrest and unauthorized use of a vehicle. Though many believed he was drunk, there was never any proof of it.
Crowder’s story became one of the most famous, wild moments in NASCAR history, and it remains a memorable part of Talladega’s race weekend.
On this day in 1986, a 20 year-old stole the pace car at Talladega. He got in it when it was parked at the finish line and the grand marshal was giving the command to start engines. pic.twitter.com/8nL425HBeB
— nascarman (@nascarman_rr) May 4, 2020
A Recent Pace Car Incident at Phoenix Raceway
During the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race at Phoenix Raceway, an unusual incident involving the pace car caught everyone by surprise. As drivers were getting ready to race, the pace car driver made a sharp turn toward pit road, miscalculating the approach and losing control of the vehicle.
The pace car, a Toyota Camry XSE, veered off track and crashed into the sand barrels meant to protect the pit road wall. These barrels are designed to absorb impacts and keep everyone safe.
Thankfully, the situation was not worse. The pace car driver managed to avoid hitting race leader Chase Elliott, and the damage to the pace car and the sand barrels was minimal. This incident showed how well NASCAR’s safety features work, with the barrels doing their job of protecting the vehicle and the track. Despite the unexpected event, the race continued smoothly, thanks to quick thinking and effective safety measures.
News in Brief: Ridiculous Moments in NASCAR History
The incident at Talladega Superspeedway in 1986, when a drunk fan stole the pace car, remains one of the wildest moments in NASCAR history. Darion Crowder, the fan behind the stunt, was able to take the pace car for a joyride at over 100 miles per hour before being caught and arrested. This unforgettable act highlighted just how far some fans will go to be part of the action. Though the moment was chaotic, it became an enduring part of NASCAR history.
ALSO READ: NASCAR Pace Car Spins and Crashes at Phoenix Raceway—How Did This Happen?
