FanHouse Smoking

This isn't going to go over well.

Bristol Motor Speedway announced this week that beginning with the Food City 500 race weekend in March, all events -- at the speedway and dragway -- will be smoke-free in accordance with Tennessee state law.

NASCAR fans will now be limited in their smoking arrangements, with grandstands, terraces, suites, and restrooms off-limits for those who want to light up. The concourses below the grandstands will, though, still allow smoking in the area.

BMS is following along with the recent "Non-Smoker Protection Act" legislation in the Tennessee state government that prohibits smokig in sports arenas.

While some may argue that smoking is a right, I'd argue that because I'm not a fan of lighting it up, this is a good measure. I'm just not the biggest fan of inhaling smoke though I've certainly dealed with it in the past. A minor inconvenience for some for the health of all?

Sounds good to me.

(Feel free to let me know if you won't be heading to Bristol anymore because you can't smoke, I'll gladly buy your tickets)

Monster Mile Building 46-foot Monster Statue

A few years ago, Dover International Speedway started handing out race-winner trophies with "Miles", a fictional monster who has a penchant for destroying race cars that goes along with the 1-mile concrete track's nickname of the "Monster Mile".

NASCAR, which has been synonymous with smoking for decades (Hi ... remember when the premier series was sponsored by Winston?), continues their recently adopted effort to kick the habit.

This weekend's Busch Series race, The Nicorette 300, will be dedicated in memory of NASCAR legend Benny Parsons, who died January 16 of complications from lung cancer. BP was originally slated to be Grand Marshal for the race.

In celebration of BP, family of the 1973 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion will be honored and recognized as Grand Marshals of the Nicorette 300. Parsons' brother, Phil Parsons, a former Cup driver and current Speed TV broadcaster will represent the family at the race serving as Grand Marshal.

To honor Parsons' life, fans attending the Nicorette 300 will take part in a "Celebration of BP" during pre-race ceremonies. NEXTEL Vision will air a special video montage featuring highlights from Parson's racing and broadcasting career as well as memories from many of his friends within NASCAR. NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, Busch, and Craftsman Truck Series racecars will carry a special "BP-72" contingency sticker throughout the Nicorette 300 weekend to remember Parsons and his car number "72."

Speaking of remembering Parsons and his #72 car, the Parsons family would like some memorabilia back. Where have you gone with his stuff, Chris Politis?

Don't ever let anybody tell you that things never change. For years the Cincinnati Reds were inexorably linked with Marge Schott, their chain-smoking, dog-walking, racist owner. She was banned from running the team in 1998 and sold her shares in 1999, but she loomed over the franchise for years afterwards. Today has to be about as far away from her as the team has ever gotten: smoking has been officially banned in all parts of Great American Ballpark.

The entire stadium will be non-smoking for Cincinnati Reds games and other events, and fans will not be permitted to leave the ballpark to smoke and then re-enter.

Ohio voters passed a smoking ban in public facilities and places of employment in November.

Before the vote, smoking had been allowed in some sections of the ballpark, although not in the seating bowl.

The new law bans smoking in "enclosed" areas, and there was some question about whether ramps and concourses met that definition. That question has now been answered.

Great American Ballpark: home of America's pastime and the oldest professional sports team in the country and in the spirit of the name of the park everyone is welcome. Except smokers.