How awful. On Apr. 14 at the NRA 500 Sprint Cup Series race in Fort Worth, Tex., 42-year-old Kirk Franklin shockingly shot and killed himself while in the racetrack’s infield. Kirk reportedly shot himself in the head after having an argument with several other spectators.

NASCAR Fan Commits Suicide At NRA 500

The Fort Worth Police said a man — later identified as Kirk Franklin — who had been camping in the infield at Texas Motor Speedway died of a “self-inflicted injury” after getting into an altercation with other campers. The incident happened late in the race, and police spokeswoman Tracey Knight said that alcohol may have been a factor.

Track spokesman Mike Zizzo stated that the incident happened “in or around a pickup truck” parked in the middle of the infield. There were many witnesses but no one else was harmed.

The Gun Debate Flares Up At The NRA 500

It’s a horrible thing to happen, especially in such a public place, but the National Rifle Association must be in a tailspin, as this is just the most recent public case of a gun-inflicted death in an overly long line of them.

The NRA has been in damage control ever since 20 children and six teachers were brutally shot and killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn on Dec. 14, 2012. This latest horrific incident is likely a worst case scenario for the conservative pro-gun lobbying association, which was making its first foray into NASCAR race sponsorship.

Giving an official statement for NASCAR on Apr. 14, a rep said that NASCAR will now take a closer look at how it approves race sponsors. “The NRA’s sponsorship of the event at Texas Motor Speedway fit within existing parameters that NASCAR affords tracks in securing partnerships,” NASCAR said. “However, this situation has made it clear that we need to take a closer look at our approval process moving forward, as current circumstances need to be factored in when making decisions.”

What a devastating disaster. What do you think, HollywoodLifers? Let us know below.

– Andrew Gruttadaro

More NASCAR News:

1. Denny Hamlin: NASCAR Driver Hospitalized After Horrific Crash
2. NASCAR Crash Caught On Fan Video — Tire Flies Into Crowd, Hits Woman
3. Danica Patrick Drops Her IndyCar Gig For The Main Event: NASCAR!

An exciting finish at the Auto Club Speedway on Mar. 24 that involved NASCAR drivers Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano dead even going into the final lap turned traumatic when Joey’s car bumped Denny’s and spun him into a wall.

Denny collapsed to the ground after exiting his wrecked car, and after being attended to on-site by medics, he was taken to a hospital by a helicopter.

Denny Hamlin’s Crash: NASCAR Drivers React

Almost immediately, the NASCAR world started to show their support, and wish Denny well.

Drivers Kasey Kahne and Brad Sweet both tweeted “I hope Denny Hamlin is ok.”

Another fellow driver Elliot Sadler, tweeted and reiterated how serious Denny’s crash was: “Sending up prayers tonight for @dennyhamlin ….. Alot harder hit than what people think..” Brad Keselowski, winner of last year’s Sprint Cup Series, tweeted that the accident should lead to more safety precautions in the sport: “Watching replay of @dennyhamlin wreck. Proof that we need safer barriers EVERYWHERE!”

Joey Logano, who told ESPN right after the race “that’s what he gets,” has not tweeted anything.

And Denny’s girlfriend, Jordan Fish, tweeted to let all the fans know that everything was okay: “Thank u everyone for your messages concerning Denny. Darian is keeping us posted. He’s alert n awake, main concern is his back #PrayersforDH.”

It was a very scary moment, but we’re thrilled to hear that Denny’s alert and we hope that his back injuries turn out to be minimal.

– Andrew Gruttadaro

More NASCAR News:

1. Danica Patrick Drops Her IndyCar Gig For The Main Event: NASCAR!
2. NASCAR Crash Caught On Fan Video — Tire Flies Into Crowd, Hits Woman
3. Danica Patrick Tops Speed Charts & Wins The Pole At Daytona 500

Denny Hamlin was in a tight race at the Auto Club 400, speeding down the final straightaway battling for first place with racer Joey Logano, when Joey’s car brushed up against his, causing both of them to spin out.

Denny Hamlin’s Scary Spin-Out

Joey didn’t suffer any serious damage, but Denny lost control of his car and slammed head-first into the raceway wall. After squeezing out of his wrecked car, Denny collapsed to the ground.

He was awake and alert as medics attended to him, but they decided to take him to a hospital after the driver continued to complain about lower back pain. A helicopter was used to avert the post-race traffic.

Denny Hamlin Vs. Joey Logano: Drivers React

Kyle Busch won the race, but all anyone cared about was Denny’s crash, and the reckless driving that caused it.

It’s time he learns a lesson,” driver Tony Stewart said about Joey. “He’s nothing but a little rich kid that’s never had to work in his life.” After the race, Tony confronted 22-year-old Joey and actually got into a shoving match.

Meanwhile, Joey isn’t showing any remorse for Denny’s hospitalization. “He probably shouldn’t have done what he did last week, so that’s what he gets,” the racer said. Denny and Joey have fought all season long, getting into a Twitter fight full of physical threats — Logano sarcastically saying he wanted to “show him some love and appreciation,” and Hamlin responding, “Need my address?” And last week, Denny spun Joey out at the Bristol Motor Speedway, causing ANOTHER post-race fight.

NASCAR is obviously a highly competitive sport, but maybe these guys need to dial it back — the next time they take their anger out with a car going nearly 200 miles per hour, the injuries could be far worse than lower back pain.

– Andrew Gruttadaro

More NASCAR News:

1. Danica Patrick Drops Her IndyCar Gig For The Main Event: NASCAR!
2. NASCAR Crash Caught On Fan Video — Tire Flies Into Crowd, Hits Woman
3. Danica Patrick Tops Speed Charts & Wins The Pole At Daytona 500

For those fans of racing, today was the Superbowl, the Oscars and the World Series all wrapped in one. After an exciting race, Jimmie Johnson crossed the finish line first at the Daytona International Speedway, taking the victory!

Jimmie beat out Dale Earnhardt Jr., winning his second Daytona 500 in a row.

Danica Patrick: First Woman To Earn Pole Position Ever

On Feb. 17, Danica Patrick was honored to be the first women to ever win the pole for the Daytona 500, and top the speeding charts. However, while she lead the race, it was the 42 cars behind her that were one her mind.

Daytona 500′s New Race Cars

You may have realized the race looked a little different this year, as the cars were all Generation-6 Sprint Cup cars — making the cars look more like their original make and model. This year, you could tell the difference between Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge vehicles — at least, you should have been able to!

Frontrunner Drivers At 2013 Daytona 500

Racing around the 2.5 mile tri-oval track in Daytona, Fl. the cars hit higher speeds than ever, working to beat last year’s champ Matt Kenseth. The other ones to beat included last year’s second and third place drivers, Dale Earnhardt, Jr. — who’s engine failed after 11 laps at the practice at Daytona on Wednesday. Feb. 20 – and Greg Biffle.

However, one thing this year was safe from? The rain, which is the reason last year’s race was delayed a day.

So HollywoodLifers, did you enjoy the race?

WATCH: Danica Patrick Qualifies For Pole Position At 2013 Daytona 500

– Emily Longeretta

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WWE Superstar John Cena will wave the green flag as Honorary Starter of the 54th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 26 at historic Daytona International Speedway (FOX, 1 p.m. ET). The WWE Superstar was invited personally by Nascar star Carl Edwards during the Feb. 6th edition of WWE’s Monday Night Raw®. This will give yet another illustrious achievement in his amazing career inside and out of the squared circle.

The avid NASCAR fan will add to his career achievements by headlining WrestleMania against The Rock® at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on Sunday, April 1, 2012. Cena, has had a long standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He is on pace to grant his 300th wish, making him the first celebrity wish granter ever to reach that lofty goal. The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently dedicated a room to WWE at the foundation’s headquarters in Phoenix, AZ, in honor of Cena’s unwavering dedication to children with life-threatening medical conditions. John Cena is a class act all the way and we are proud of all his good fortune and how he gives back!

So HollywoodLifers, what do you think of John Cena and all his wonderful accolades and charitable acts? Sound off below!

Russ Weakland

Danica Patrick is widely known as IndyCar’s hottest — and one of few — female drivers.  For months, she has been hinting at taking her talents to NASCAR, and sources report she will finally be competing in the world’s greatest auto racing series. 

Two people familiar with Danica’s situation say that she is in the final stages of signing a deal to become a full-time NASCAR driver beginning in the 2012 season.  When signed, she will be dropping her GoDaddy.com car for JR Motorsports and limited Sprint Cup Series teams, owned by NASCAR veterans Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Tony Stewart.

Previously, Danica has participated in nineteen NASCAR events for Earnhardt Jr.’s team, but he wants to make her a full-time player.  “I would like for her to run full-time, and I’m sure she is considering that, and I think she would enjoy it,” he admitted.

The Associated Press reports that Danica will continue to race in the IndyCar series, most notably the Indy 500.

Do you HollywoodLifers think this is a good move for Danica?

– Michael Emer

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Even though Ricky Hendrick is no longer with them, Emily and their daughter Ricki remember him with love each year!

Emily Maynard may be happily engaged to Bachelor Brad Womack, but that doesn’t mean she’s forgotten her first love — Ricky Hendrick, the former NASCAR driver who was the father of her 5-year-old daughter Josephine “Ricki” Hendrick.

Ricky passed away in 2004 — and it’s super-important for Emily to carry on his memory for little Ricki, who never met him. So Emily and her daughter have started an annual ritual.

“Its our tradition to make a cake and let a balloon go in the backyard,” Emily tweeted on April 2 — Ricky’s b-day.

Ricky was killed on Oct. 24, 2004 in a plane crash. A week after he passed away, Emily — who was engaged to Ricky — found out that she was pregnant with Ricki.

Even though Emily has found love again with Brad, she still makes sure that Ricky’s memory lives on for their daughter.

- Lindsey DiMattina

Brad and Emily are planning their next romantic vacation!

Brad and Emily are house hunting!

Is it a good idea for Emily to move to Austin for Brad?

Courtesy Of ABC

Brad takes Emily on a group date to a race track. It’s there that he finds out her FULL, sad story. How does he react?

Wow! In previews, Brad Womack seemed like one incensitive jerk, but he sure proves himself wrong on tonight’s episode of The Bachelor! During the group date, Brad takes the girls to the Vegas NASCAR race track, only Brad doesn’t anticipate how this experience will render with poor Emily Maynard. He doesn’t know the full extent of her history and past relationship with her deceased fiance (NASCAR driver/owner Ricky Hendrick) until he finds out during the date.

“I am living a dream of mine,” Brad says. “I think the girls are happy and then I’m realizing something’s really wrong with Emily. She’s smiling but it’s almost a forced smile.”

Brad takes Emily aside and she finally tells Brad about Ricky’s work in racing and how the Vegas track ended his career as a driver. “You think you leave it behind, but then you come here … ” Emily cries to Brad. But she braves up and gets in the car to ride the track.

After some tear drops and kind words of encouragement from Brad, Emily takes off around the track. “The hardest part was getting in the car. The only other time I’ve been in a race car, I was in the passenger’s side and Ricky was driving — I was thinking how much I miss Ricky,” Emily tells the cameras. Then, “I was just thinking the first few laps are for Ricky, the last is for me and I’m just ready to move on and love again.”

“You met the love of your life, I don’t want to replace this guy,” Brad says to Emily later on in the evening. “That’s a hard space for any man to fill.”

Emily’s response? “I wouldn’t be here for half a second if I didn’t see something totally amazing in you,” she gushes.

Despite the other girls’ concern, Brad gives Emily the rose.

Ashley S., Marissa and Lisa are the women Brad sends home on tonight’s episode.

- Lindsey DiMattina