NASCAR’s heartbeat comes from its fans, who pour energy into every race weekend and help shape the sport’s vibrant culture. At times, that passion boils over into moments that grab everyone’s attention in the garage. Let’s think back to 2007 at Watkins Glen, where a fan leaped the barrier during a red flag because of a major crash to ask Matt Kenseth for an autograph, showing how deep devotion can sometimes push boundaries. These stories remind us that while fans act out of love for their drivers, the line between enthusiasm and excess can blur quickly.

Fast forward to New Hampshire Motor Speedway, where a Chase Elliott admirer stirred things up with a nod to the driver’s Georgia heritage. As Elliott held seventh in the Round of 12 standings with a slim five-point edge above the cutline heading into the event, he lined up 27th for the September 21 Mobil 1 301. But how is this fan’s display connected directly to Dawsonville traditions?

Though Elliott‘s fans are known for their dedication, this particular one at New Hampshire took it to another level by designing a siren that echoed the Dawsonville custom, leading to widespread pushback from the NASCAR community. Jeff Gluck highlighted the incident on X, stating, “This Chase Elliott fan brought his own siren. Says it’s 160 decibels and woke up the campgrounds with it last night.”

The device, emblazoned with Elliott’s No. 9 and NAPA branding, was meant as a portable version of the victory siren back home, but its blaring volume, comparable to a gunshot and capable of causing immediate hearing damage, rattled campers trying to rest before race day. This over-the-top act transformed a heartfelt tribute into a disruption, sparking debates about respect in shared spaces like track campgrounds.

This Chase Elliott fan brought his own si-reen. Says it’s 160 decibels and woke up the campgrounds with it last night. @cdownsy5 pic.twitter.com/dggWAcv4Nq

— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) September 21, 2025

The siren’s significance ties back to Dawsonville, Georgia, where the tradition began in 1983 at the Pool Room, owned by Gordon Pirkle, who sounded an old patrol car siren for Bill Elliott‘s wins, turning it into a town ritual during his 44 career victories. Revived in 2014 for Chase’s early successes, including his first Nationwide Series triumph at the Texas Xfinity race, the siren now blares for his 20 Cup wins, fostering community pride.

Yet at NHMS, the 160-decibel blast felt excessive to neighbors, far louder than typical race noise and ignoring campground etiquette, as noted in reports like Yardbarker’s coverage: “A Chase Elliott fan created a 160-decibel si-reen that woke up Loudon campgrounds at night.” This incident underscored how adapting hometown customs to away venues can clash with the broader fan experience, especially during high-tension playoffs.

With social media amplifying the story, the NASCAR crowd didn’t hold back, sharing a mix of laughs and gripes that captured the divided opinions.

Chase Elliott’s diehard gets backlash

One reaction cut straight to security concerns: “How does something that looks like a pipe bomb get into the track? They will confiscate your umbrella, but he can bring in a pipe bomb-looking thing? Take that to an airport and they’re evacuating it.”

This points to the strict item policies at tracks like NHMS, where umbrellas are often banned for safety, yet this cylindrical siren made it through the gates. Drawing from post-9/11 protocols that heightened vigilance at events, the comment reflects real worries about appearances, similar to how airports evacuate over suspicious items.

Amid the chatter, humor surfaced around performance, with a fan saying, “Bro, we qualified 27th. Put it up for the weekend 😂.” Tying the 160-decibel siren’s use to Elliott’s starting spot far back in the pack, this jab suggests holding off on celebrations until results warrant it, much like how Dawsonville saves its siren for actual wins, a practice rooted in Bill Elliott’s era of dominance.

“Tagging him so all the upset people that were woken up can have their revenge? 😆” This lighthearted call-out nods to the campground fallout, where the pre-dawn wail likely frustrated folks prepping for a long race day, echoing common complaints at multi-day events where rest is key to enjoying the action.

The conversation then shifted to frequency of use, as someone noted, “Well, he sure don’t get to play it much from victory 🤣.” Referencing Georgia’s siren tradition that only activates for Elliott triumphs, like his lone 2025 win at Atlanta, this remark pokes at the scarcity of blasts this season.

Wrapping up the sentiments, a broader swipe came in as the fan wrote, “Chase Elliott fans not be the most annoying fan base in the NASCAR challenge (impossible).” This captures ongoing rivalries, fueled by Elliott’s massive following since his 2020 championship, often seen as overly vocal at tracks, much like debates during his 20-win career that polarized the community.