NASCAR

No one watches Nascar for the excitement of turning left for three hours. Those in the infield jockey the rented RV for position, so on race day, there will be a clear view when a driver spins into the outside turn, leaving smoke and flame and debris in a flamboyant exit from the race. It's a safe thrill for the audience. Technology protects the drivers. There have only been 28 fatalities from crashes since 1952 and none since 2001. The small, safe, adrenaline rush keeps our blood lust satiated.

It's a different scene, when a rogue wheel skips across the track and wipes out a family of five in the grandstand. Then we have to acknowledge our total lack of control. Life is gravely serious at times. It was like watching Lindsey Lohan. It was funny at first, and then as her tragedy didn't fade, it no longer was anything but terrifying.

Some fans get good at identifying when a crash will occur. They can pick it out based on the track conditions and how the drivers choose their lanes. They'll shout to those nearby when to watch the wall.

Maybe I should attend more often to hone my skills. Maybe I'll see a train wreck coming and be smart enough to get off of the tracks.