From the Marbles - NASCAR

From the Marbles

Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:56 am EST

In Memoriam: Talladega Commitment Cone, 2002-2009

By Jay Busbee

Sad news out of Talladega this weekend, as Pit Road Commitment Cone has perished as a result of an on-track accident involving Kurt Busch.

Cone had served faithfully at the track for many years, and was a visible and reliable presence at the superspeedway. "I don't know anybody who didn't respect Cone," a visibly shaken Jimmie Johnson said afterward. Other drivers echoed the sentiment; Cone's word was law around Talladega, but he was evenhanded. So to speak.

Cone is survived by his wife, Beer Stand Flag, and a son who also works at the track. "Our boy had grown up to be a pit box marker sign," Cone's wife said. "Of course, it was for Paul Menard, but still ... This was his first race hanging over pit road, and maybe Cone was watching him when he ... " Her voice trailed off.

Video exists of the fatal crash, but we warn you -- it is graphic in nature. Please escort small children from the room before watching the video below:

Cone will be interred at the Anniston Landfill. Donations are being accepted at all Talladega souvenir stands.

We are grateful to Tuffy R. Tuffenstein for the illustration.

Related: Kurt Busch, Jimmie Johnson, Paul Menard

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36 Comments

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  1. Rudy88
    1. Posted by Rudy88 Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:02 am EST

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    Now you've done it Jay. That is so sad that it brought tears to my eyes. Tears of laughter!
  2. Mike C
    2. Posted by Mike C Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:41 am EST

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    Is it too early to hit on Beer Stand Flag?
  3. Corrine
    3. Posted by Corrine Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:23 am EST

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    Damn that Kurt Busch!!
  4. Sam
    4. Posted by Sam Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:31 am EST

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    I'm sure he wanted more for his son than to work in Paul Menard's pit box. Kids today just don't have any ambition.
  5. miss priss
    5. Posted by miss priss Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:32 am EST

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    teeheehee......... OOOOOKKKKKK I needed that laugh this morning. Jay, thank you very much for posting that.
  6. lumpy2497
    6. Posted by lumpy2497 Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:38 am EST

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    Absolutely Priceless!!
  7. patsgirl
    7. Posted by patsgirl Tue Nov 03, 2009 11:04 am EST

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    Is there a fund set up for the family?
  8. kinggeorge
    8. Posted by kinggeorge Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:03 pm EST

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    Is Cone a registered plastic donor? My mailbox could use a new fold-up "I have mail in the mailbox to be mailed" flag.
    I like how Kurt ended up right in the middle of the Pepsi logo. Damn drivers are always thinking about sponsors' camera time.
  9. Carol
    9. Posted by Carol Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:17 pm EST

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    Lols from work! Thanks for the laugh Jay!
  10. boogie
    10. Posted by boogie Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:18 pm EST

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    That was no accident.. I saw Beer and Kurt behind the stands before the race.. I think they've had something going on since Richmond, but I'm not sayin' anything... Check the video, though.. Kurt just turned left for no reason.. Cone never knew what hit him..
  11. Willy Doer
    11. Posted by Willy Doer Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:48 pm EST

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    I went to high school with cone. Cone was so bright. Cone excelled in everything cone set out to do, and being a commitment cone was EXACTLY was cone was bred for. I know in my heart cone died doing what cone loved....just standing there.
  12. razz
    12. Posted by razz Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:14 pm EST

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    The announcers know nothing of committment and come off as heartless in not mentiioning the fate of Cone in describing the action. When I saw what happened my first thought was "daaaaannnng, Kurt has taken Cone for his last ride". This is the worst case of hit and run caught on tape that I've ever seen.
  13. MarkN
    13. Posted by MarkN Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:30 pm EST

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    Willy you left out the part where you wore the cone on your head in school. Only kidding dude I couldn't let that one go.
  14. tx_jjk
    14. Posted by tx_jjk Tue Nov 03, 2009 1:47 pm EST

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    Tooooo funny. I think Sunday in Texas they should hold a moment of silence out of the respect for the dead...
  15. kinggeorge
    15. Posted by kinggeorge Tue Nov 03, 2009 2:23 pm EST

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    It was murder!
  16. Gators #1 Nuff Said
    16. Posted by Gators #1 Nuff Said Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:13 pm EST

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    I can remember as a youngster playing soccer with Cone's dad. Cone came from a long line of famous Cones many sadly have perished on this nations highways. If only Cone had been a City Titty instead, he'd still be with us today.
  17. NostraChronus
    17. Posted by NostraChronus Tue Nov 03, 2009 4:59 pm EST

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    It was commitment cone's dedication that won him fans the world over, and at least we all got to see one last shot of cone standing guard as Smoke, Jimmie, and others tried to enter pit road as it closed. Had I known what I know now, I would have paid more attention when Jeff Gordon peeled off, ever so cautious not to collect cone.
  18. Chase n Dani
    18. Posted by Chase n Dani Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:08 pm EST

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    Great story... great comments... may Cone RIP!!!!!!! LoL LoL LoL LoL
  19. Chase n Dani
    19. Posted by Chase n Dani Tue Nov 03, 2009 5:08 pm EST

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    Great story... great comments... may Cone RIP!!!!!!! LoL LoL LoL LoL
  20. Matt B
    20. Posted by Matt B Tue Nov 03, 2009 6:48 pm EST

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    I've known cone's son for 3 years. It is so sad what happened that day. But he died doing what he loved. My sympathy to the cone family.
  21. Helen or Rigby
    21. Posted by Helen or Rigby Tue Nov 03, 2009 7:14 pm EST

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    Yeah, an untimely death always works wonders for a persons' reputation. People forget the drug abuse, the domestic violence, the unfortunate "girl scout incedent", the obsession with hard-core pornography. Remember the dead, but remember them as they were, warts and all. Cone, you had some shining moments, but there is no gettin past Nicole and Ron. May you burn in cone hell.
  22. hugsx5
    22. Posted by hugsx5 Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:10 pm EST

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    I feel the sorriest for Cone's twin. Bless his heart, he will be standing in for Cone at the Texas race, true courage in the face of adversity.
  23. hugsx5
    23. Posted by hugsx5 Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:10 pm EST

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    I feel the sorriest for Cone's twin. Bless his heart, he will be standing in for Cone at the Texas race, true courage in the face of adversity.
  24. The Hitman
    24. Posted by The Hitman Tue Nov 03, 2009 8:28 pm EST

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    Rest in piece cone, on the green flag lap next spring my buddies and I will salute you with a toast of Miller Lite.
  25. kinggeorge
    25. Posted by kinggeorge Tue Nov 03, 2009 9:35 pm EST

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    I just heard a news update that Cone's relatives all along the Nations highways will be wearing a white florescent band around their coneheads in remembrance of their beloved cousin, uncle, grandpa, daddy. Recycling services set for Saturday, relatives ask that in lieu of flowers mourners make donations to the Commitment Cone Foundation to help cones that are currently unemployed do to economic hardship. After twin brother Cone fills in at Texas a drawing will be held to determine who will become the full time NASCAR commitment cone. Good luck to all applicants.

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