Guy Kills Self at NRA-Sponsored NASCAR Race Days Before Senate Kills Gun Control. Nobody Notices.

NOTE 8/18/13:  Before I revised the post title (“What Is the Sickest Thing That Could Have Happened at the First NRA-Sponsored NASCAR Race?”),  my aim was for you to look through the photos first, then look at them again after hearing what happened. I know the new title upends that process. In retrospect though (especially with the gun control legislation going down to defeat today), I felt like being more direct. The original copy is as follows:

I culled these photos from over a thousand by Getty of the NASCAR race at the Texas Motor Speedway this past Saturday. After you look through them, I’m going to tell you what happened so you can look at them again.

Here, the President of Texas Motor Speedway and the NRA’s Wayne LaPierre announce the NRA’s one-year title sponsor agreement for the Texas race. “No limits.” Keep that in mind.

The logo on the infield.

Sort of self-explanatory.

Clint Bower’s #15 Gander Mountain Toyota. Literally self-explanatory (though could use a grammar check).

Campers parked on the infield on the backstretch of the track.

Campers on the infield enjoying the race.

Winner Kyle Busch celebrates by shooting revolvers in Victory Lane. This is the reverse view. The photo leading the post is the front view.

And what happened? Having reportedly gotten into an argument with other race campers, an inebriated fan by the name of Kirk Franklin committed suicide in the infield by shooting himself in the head near the end of the race. The act took place in the back seat of his truck parked near the middle of the backstretch at 10:48 pm.

…With rights come responsibilities?

(Photo 1: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Caption: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, celebrates by shooting revolvers in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo 2: Tom Pennington/Getty Images Caption: Eddie Gossage, President of Texas Motor Speedway, announces a one-year agreement with the National Rifle Association to serve as the title sponsor for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo 3: Tom Pennington/Getty Images Caption: Dale Earnhardt Jr., driver of the #88 National Guard Chevrolet, and Trevor Bayne, driver of the #21 Motorcraft/Quick Lane Tire & Auto Center Ford, pass National Rifle Association (NRA) signage during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo 4: Tom Pennington/Getty Images Caption: Fans hold up a sign in support of gun ownership during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo 5: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images Caption: The #15 Gander Mountain Toyota of Clint Bowyer sits in the garage area during practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 12, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo 6: Tom Pennington/Getty Images Caption: Billboards for O’Rielly Auto Parts, Cinch Jeans & Shorts, Coke Zero, the NRA and Winstar World Casino are displayed above campers parked on the infield and the backstretch of the track during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo 7: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images Caption: Timmy Hill, driver of the #32 OXY water Ford, races during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo 8: Chris Graythen/Getty Images Caption: Kyle Busch, driver of the #18 Interstate Batteries Toyota, celebrates by shooting revolvers in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NRA 500 at Texas Motor Speedway on April 13, 2013 in Fort Worth, Texas.)