One might not think of Anderson, Indiana as a hot bed of the auto racing scene, but it is! You won’t find it staging Nascar races, and I doubt very much that you will find regular coverage on even the most obscure cable channel, but auto racing is in the blood of this small community. This is a town that has felt the effects of the economic down turn, by way of escapism they have jumped feet first into the auto racing world.
Dirty Driving follows the fortunes of five amateur racers in their quest to be the best in Anderson. There is indeed drama, but also a real sense of fun and adventure. This is escapism at its finest, it is also living proof that you don’t need a multi million dollar budget to go racing.
Of course for some it is a fine line between racing and demolition derby. Anderson as a town does not have much going for it, houses are empty, shops boarded up, and the factories silent following the GM layoffs. But every Friday night the faithful few remaining gather at the Anderson Speedway to cheer on their local heros.
Maybe the quote that sums up Anderson best, comes from one of our intrepid racers:
We don’t make cars no more here in Anderson, Indiana, But we can still race ’em and we can still wreck ’em. They can’t take that away from us!
Dirty Driving premiers tonight on HBO 10pm ET/PT and you don’t have to be a race fan to enjoy it, check out this Youtube segment, and also the HBO web site.
Update: You can read my Post Game Analysis here.
Simon Barrett
http://zzsimonb.blogspot.com
66 users commented in " TV Preview: HBO documentary, Dirty Driving: Thundercars of Indiana "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThis is the most hilarious show I have ever seen! I have never witnessed so many mullets and missing teeth in a one hour show. Next year I’m taking my kids to this town so they can understand the importance of an advanced education. This show is Cops on speed. 5 Stars!!! Feed the Children? Hell no, save Anderson, Indiana, we cannot lose this entertainment! They should place web cameras throughout this town and sell season tickets!
I have to agree with Hilarious, this show had my wife and myself on the floor in stiches. Where else would you see some guy bragging about how much his wife drinks, or a woman so foul mouthed that the clean word seemed to be the bad word slipping out. My oh my how this made me think about how fortuate I am to not be like them. And yet it was like watching a train wreck, I couldn’t take my eyes off of it. Too Funny.
absolutely loved the show. my favorite is the bar scene when the two girls fight. all because one was “eyeballin” the other girls husband. how ironic that the husband had a glass eye! oh what a blast. thanks to the fine folks of anderson and HBO. great show!!!
I got my start in racing on the Indiana short tracks and I have been around racing for close to forty years. I can honestly say I have never seen such a collection of inbred gill people in my whole life and I found myself wondering why are people like this allowed to breed.
This isn’t really an accurate portrayal of Anderson. It has it’s share of necks, but the ratio of rednecks to aspiring hip hop artists, illegal immigrants, and country club snobs is about the same as any small town. The place isn’t what it used to be, but they seem to have sent cameras to a very small niche crowd and made it seem like that’s everything that is there. Hell, I live in Anderson, and I didn’t know they still raced at that track.
ok, i am from Indianapolis, Indiana… and i have family from Anderson.. wow cant even believe i would even admit that now that this documentary is now out!! and speaking of this documentary its pretty true… but in any small town, if your going to have a race track, and guess what comes with that… mullets pulled through the back of a Dale Jarrett race hats, few teeth and over-ruling wives with 110 cigarettes sticking to their foul-mouths…. its make for a great story, i too could not change the channel. but their are several hundred town like this, im sure across this great big ole country… and im sure they all have their unemployment issues as well. it seems not very fair that they did this to this town, but oh well. only one person’s perspective of Anderson Indiana. overall though… good documentary.
Talk about kicking a guy when he is down…. This film is a horrible representation of what Anderson is like. You can go to any town in the country and find stupid, toothless, redneck, inbreed, hillbillies who live like Neanderthal’s. That doesn’t represent the majority of the town.
What was the intention of this film? Was it to trash Anderson, or racing? . I lived there for 38 years and have visited a few times since moving away 8 years ago. The vast majority of this town is nothing like how they have portrayed it to be.
When I heard about this ”documentary” I had hoped it would be an inspirational look at a town that was down on its luck.
Who, after seeing this, who would want to buy a home or open a business in Anderson?
Can a filmmaker be sued for “defaming the character” of a town?
The guy who posted the comment “I should take my kids to Anderson to emphasize the importance of a college education” couldn’t be more right on…I grew up in Anderson and it was dismal even when the jobs were there. I was looked down/hassled by the locals because they knew I was smart enough to go to college and get out of that Godforsaken place. I don’t think that you could even call Anderson a blue collar town…it is much lower than that. One thing that I had forgotten about is the way the locals talk…disgusting. If you didnt know better you would think that Anderson was in Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, or at least Kentucky…that gutteral, southern, double negative “dont care about Nuthin” dialect.
My college roommate and I made a pact that we would never return to Anderson…that was 1982 and with a few minor exceptions during college and my early professional life on one holiday, I never have…and am better for it.
And no, a filmmaker cannot be sued for telling the truth about this hellhole.
I caught the show about 15 minutes into it didn’t move until the show ended. Living in the south now, but being raised in Ohio, I still could not tell where this place was until after the show when I googled the 765 area code that was all the for sale signs.
I found alot of this funny, but pretty sad at the same time. I’ve lived in areas like that before and they have a hard time hanging on. Unfortunately, it’s happening more and more becuase of the global economy.
My fear is that if we all just “sit and watch” it’s going to be more that just a few “rednecks” is small towns and become more of the main population. And judging by some of the earlier comments, middle class America seems to be looking down their noses at these individuals who are just a couple rungs down the ladder beneath them. Even though all it takes is a bad car accident or a sick family member or any unfortunate event to send most of us to that economic level.
This country is such trouble. The idiots are reproducing in greater numbers than the intelligent people (The movie Idiocracy comes to mind). Not that they are entirely stupid though. It does take a fair amount of skill to rebuild engines, cook meth etc.
Here’s a few ideas: Limit your TV watching. Read some books. Learn to argue an issue without profanity or physical attacks. If you can’t be bothered with raising kids, stop having them.
I also watched the documentary. It made me feel really sad for Anderson to be portrayed like this. I have lived here 22 years, and yes we do have some folks like this, but we also have many wonderful people and families here. We have lost our industries and that has hurt our community. I would like for you to visit and meet our better families, those that do care about their families and try hard to rear their children to become decent citizens. As a whole we are much better than what was shown on that tv show.
I just moved from Anderson and it’s not that bad. Let’s talk about the University there, and strong community and religious ties. It has it’s problems but a large population of University educated persons there that love that place. I moved away but I miss it time to time. They just targeted the unfortunate persons that make this town of 60,000 look like a small, do nothing, red-neck sort of place. Nice people, nice town.
Try 45,000 people (from 70-75K when I grew up there)and Anderson University and religion aren’t going to save that dump. If the UAW members weren’t so foolishly greedy – striking at the drop of a hat with combined pay and benefits approaching $75 an hour on average for doing jobs that a trained seal could do, maybe the jobs would still be there instead of gone or moved to other countries.
If you live there, move now…or you are flat stupid. If you haven’t been to Anderson, consider yourself fortunate.
Oh by the way, hats off to mayor Kevin Smith and all of the Rocket Scientists on the city council who back a few years ago announced that their big platform issue was “economic development”. Watch the documentary again and look at all of the “development”.
So many people leave these types of towns bitter. Just like Muncie, IN and many other small town former industrious manufacturing locations in Indiana.
Then there are the retirees who as 5IUBANNERS said have worked all their life in the factories that are now closed or closing and left nothing for their kids because they were so greedy to drive the factories out with their outrageous union demands…those retirees are relocating in droves to TN, NC, AZ, FL, etc…now you get what’s left in IN.
Those retirees raped the local economies.
They took everything they could from the plants that provided a future for the local economies, then, when they were done, they took their money and wealth and left for another, warmer, state. What is left is what is left, and although I haven’t seen this movie, I am sure it is just as it is portrayed.
But, there is no need to be bitter to the towns or even the people that are left.
Rather, the bitterness should lie with those that were greedy, raping the towns of good employers and then picking up roots with their retired wealth and leaving the scene of the crime. Taking the wealth they built which could have at least supported service jobs.
That’s the real rust belt.
Now all you yankees that raped your towns get back up there and fix it before you become damn yankees…if you know what that means.
It is simply tragic that a high profile cable channel (e.g. a self-centered parasite looking for ratings) can come into a community, zero-in on a specific sector of the population and cast a national perception that is neither accurate nor complete. Sure Anderson has its challenges; but, so does any small town in America.
What viewers don’t know is that Nestle’ recently opened a factory in Anderson, the Flagship Enterprise Center is a business incubator in Anderson that has a full house of entrepreneurial tenants, and the city has a renowned university within its borders. The list goes on and on.
You won’t hear about these stories because these stories don’t capture ratings. People with mullets and missing teeth capture ratings. I guarantee that I could grab a camera, pick any town, visit a few bars or local hang-outs, and come real close to editing something that matches this piece of garbage. The only difference is that I don’t own a national cable channel—but wait, there’s always YouTube.
—an Anderson resident (and proud)
You cant make chicken salad out of chicken s**t, and I think indianaguy thinks that you can. The chained up , almost haunted looking former factories are a grim reminder of what Anderson is all about – and the camera’s images don’t lie. Even on Broadway, a place where I used to work, shop, and hang out as a teen had boarded up business after boarded up business which I suspect have been that way for a long time.
I knew all about Nestle, the Flagship center, and AU (which I grew up 5 minutes by car away from)but those places, while not bad in their own right, do not make Anderson anywhere near a viable place to live, work, run a business, and raise kids. The website psk12.com rates schools and school districts in several important categories and it should be no surprise that Anderson schools are at the bottom of state and national lists.
So, no work, no opportunity, no good public schools…no hope???
I’m glad you are proud to remain in Anderson…every s**thole needs its apologists, but this documentary was well done and dead on…kudos to the director and everyone else who helped put it together. One poster felt that I might be “bitter”…no, just absolutely relieved and proud that I had the courage to leave Anderson and raise my children in an exponentially better and more opportunistic environment.
Congratulations, 5IUBANNERS, on your major life achievement of moving from one place to another.
…the last poster misses the point entirely…I guess thats why his user name is “BS”.
Probably also lives in the hellhole formerly known as Anderson, IN
Hello im sammy hawkins the lead in dirty driving thundercars of indiana.I dont know where all these people that say anderson isnt that bad are living but its different than the anderson in i and many other hard working andersonians live.We told the truth about anderson sorry we didnt show your country club or your 250,000 home.We showed all the buisnesses that have left.Nestles has came to anderson but guess what,the filming started in 2004 thru 2006 and it wasnt built and set in stone so it didnt get mentioned.We didnt sugar coat anderson that is what pisses the goody goody peopl and the city off.truth hurts.By the way those arent mullets and i have a full set of teeth,along with the rest of us but when were racing your teeth tend to pop out in crashes and i paid 1100 dollars for them and ide like to keep them.wake up people it was a view in our eyes you dont race you werent in the film.i love living in anderson even though that is totally stupid but my family is here.I plan on being here for a while ,if you happen to like the film email HBO.com and let them know please.you all have a right to your opinion but leave my kids out of it i have 2 now since the film and they are my world.my email address is christynsammy@yahoo.com or hit myspace under sammy hawkins or my facebook.sorry anderson but our town needs help and if this film helps bring media attention then so be it.
If you didnt like the show then dont watch it,there were a lot of good laughs in it and we had a blast making it.by the way HBO is really wanting to make a series out of it so get use to seein redneck race car drivers.the race life and the home life is two different things with us.my wife drinking was only on the weekends which wasnt explained in the show.us guys were always in the garage in our spare time then and the girls would toss back a few beers,and i had a quart of shine that was well aged in the fridge that made a real splash with critics.we had fun and maybe we will have more soon.see ya all sammy hawkins
It gave me an idea. Instead of sending 3 rich CEO’s on private jets to Washington, how about getting 3 million auto-workers to descend on Washington driving Thundercars? That would get the bastards’ attention. I don’t think they would snub the auto industry if THAT happened!
Loved it ! Damn I thought we had rednecks in Alabama, but we ain’t got nothin’on Indiana. Good ‘ol boys and their ‘ol ladies, fun cars, and an American Spirit and will to win and stick up for themselves.
Sad parts is all the lost jobs factory closings. We gotta take care of our own people and not just live by the all mighty dollar.
GOD Bless all the people in the film and GOD Bless America.
5IUBANNERS will never change his mind, nor would he know how to (obviously an IU grad). Somehow, I am thinking I went to high school with this guy. I live in Atlanta, GA, now, but make my way back to Indy and Anderson at least once a year. I was just discussing it with other family members (down in Florida for Thanksgiving) how sad it is to go back there. When I graduated Anderson High in 1982, we were a top ranked state basketball team (as were our 2 other high schools in town). We sat 10,000 people in our gym for the local games and sectional. Most (if not all) my friends either went to IU or Purdue and I don’t know of a single one that went back to LIVE in Anderson. Not that we didn’t like the place, there just wasn’t anything for a college graduate at that time. NOW, many of the GM (Guide Lamp, Delco, etc.) plants have been boarded up and some have been demolished and removed. Houses are being let go and run down, jobs are no longer around. Yes, it is definitely run down and falling fast. However, it was a great place growing up. My mom still lives there (87 years old), as do a few of my many other family members. I just saw a link on WTHR in Indy the other day about how they may be downsizing the school system to just ONE high school (from 3 in 1982 and beyond). I will certainly agree that you could make that same movie in any town in America, but it seems to be a little more prevalent in Anderson these days. I don’t see it ever coming back to the glory days when GM was hot. Last note….during WWII, Anderson was one of the “top targets” of the enemies because of the car manufacturers making parts for the war. Now, I don’t think they would waste their ammunition and some (5IUBANNERS for one) would agree that bombs may actually help the scenery. EVERYONE….have a happy Thanksgiving!!
This film disgusted me, sad part about it… for the most part it is true. I watched it tonight and the first thing that came to mind was, “I need to thank the asshole that made this peice of shit film”! Sorry for the language, but who is going to want to move to Anderson and try to start a business now? Who is dumb enough, or brave enough to come to this town after watching this trash. Jesus, we have people in the southern states thinking we’re all redneck mullet-headed sheep fornicators. I do plan on moving out of here, but I have many friends that will stay… not by choice. Yes, the education here sucks! The economy… sucks! The town is turning into a ghost town, and I don’t believe that this film will help it out.
I am leaving soon. This town is a violent vortex of lost hope and dreams forever folding into itself. Nestle came… good for them! They also shipped employees in from other states to work there. What good did it do anyone? Flagship, Awesome! If you like making $7.50 per hour. The Hoosier Park Casino… What an excellent idea! Let’s put a Casino in a town that is already weak, and see if we can really screw it up!
I’ll have my Architectural Degree soon, and I am breaking out of this place like a low level security prison. I love many of my friends here, I will keep in touch, and wish them luck, but I can no longer live in this depressed environment.
Kevin Smith… total moron! They spend millions of dollars to re-build both high schools, not 5 years ago, and guess what… they are planning on shutting one down… big surprise! Rather than fixing the structures… they should’ve fixed the infastructure… gotten rid of crappy teachers and replaced them with ones who cared at a higher pay-rate. How can the students care, if their instructor does not!
Nice effort by the people who were dupped into making this film, but you just made the town look trashier than it really is. It’s not in good shape, but COME ON! Look at it like this… who will want to come here now? Other than some Jackass that wants to give his kids an education by planning a field trip to see all the “Toothless Rednecks”! Jesus, I may have to change my address information on my resume to somewhere outside of Madison County, or they may be afraid to hire me because of the rising premioums on their dental plan. Sorry for my spelling, but I did go to Anderson Community Schools! I feel sick, disgusted, and inspired… to get the Hell out of here… Thanks!
OH MY GOD!!! I WAS SO EXCITED WHEN MY BROTHER TOLD ME HBO DID A DOCUMENTARY ON OUR TOWN,AND THEN I WATCHED IT… I’VE BEEN BACK FROM CALIFORNIA 8 YEARS AND NOW I HOPE MY FRIENDS THERE DONT TRY AND GOOGLE WHERE I LIVE CAUSE SHIT, HBO TRASHED THIS PLACE!!!
WHY COULD’NT HBO DO A QUALITY PIECE? THE PEOPLE HERE ARE DOWN TO EARTH, HARD WORKING AND PROUD, THIS MAKES ME WANT TO CRY.
IT IS UNFORTUNATE, YES I KNOW SOME FOLKS LIKE THOSE PROFILED,HOWEVER MOST PEOPLE HAVE THIER TEETH, SPEAK PROPER ENGLISH AND WEAR SHOES. SHIT!! MIGHT AS WELL MOVE NOW, LIKE MOST PEOPLE SAID IN THIER COMENTS, “WHO IS GONNA MOVE HERE NOW.” HBO, YOU JUST SUNK THIS TOWN!!!!!!!!!
I am from Anderson,Indiana.I was pretty much raised at anderson speedway in the late 70’s and early 80’s.I was born in Anderson and since have lived in many places. Ocean City, Maryland;Port.Charlotte,Florida;Mansfield, Ohio;Crestwood,Kentucky and other cities in these states.This documentary does not represent all of Anderson.Come on people if you think your town or city doesn’t have folks like this then your blowing smoke up your own asses….You don’t have to bring your children here to teach them how to look down on people.I am sure they have already picked up on that with you as their parent.
The Media that made this film is far dumber than anyone who was profiled. They took these people and exploited them to line their pockets… bottom line! This town may never recover now!
There is no reason to insult anyone on their appearance and their personality. Everyone is different and thats what makes us unique. The U.S. people need to stick together and make this country great again. The folks shown in this documentary are true Americans being brought down by our own government. Piece of shit companies like General Motors would rather pay a Mexican 10 cents an hour to build there piece of shit cars to save money. Its a damn shame that our government is so quick to help other countries but they can’t even help ours. The people of Anderson don’t need to be insulted, it wasnt there choice to stop working.
I think some people are missing the point of this movie. I don’t see how anyone who watches this documentary could be angry about the people that it portrayed rather than GM and others outsourcing their jobs to other countries. I think that its a classic example of the slowly dwindling blue collar working middle class at the hands of corporate greed. What are you going to do after working 20 some odd years in a factory only to be told that you will no longer have a job and other potential jobs in your area have either picked up and moved on, or are in the process of it? And we as taxpayers are asked to bail these companies out who screwed American workers over in the first place. Its almost like some sick joke.
Yes, GM, Ford, and Chrysler are asking the government for 35 billion dollars to bail the companies out. I think the government should tell ’em to hit the road. They are no longer providing jobs to Americans… so they do not need the help! On the other hand the Government could force them to bring our jobs back to the states, so towns like Anderson can once again thrive. Fuck GM, Fuck Ford, Fuck Chrysler… tell them to hit the road, and spend the money on worthwhile investments that can make this country gold again. We all know that the companies are going down the tubes anyway, and so does their CEO’s that will be lining their pockets from that 35 billion, so when the companies go feet up they will have money to live on for the rest of their lives. Protest!
The people running these companies are morons to begin with… who bought American cars? American autoworkers! Wealthy people spend their money on forign automobiles, forign art, forign prostitutes…etc, just to show how much better they are that the rest of the community. My point by sending our jobs to forign countries, there is no one left to buy American automobiles… oops, I guess they should’ve thought about the long term endangerment before acting.
The minute NAFTA was passed Delco packed and left this town to go to Mexico… The Idiots in Government created the oppertunity for the idiots in business to flee… who is dumber?
P.S. Bring you kids on a field trip here bud! Us Rednecks will show ’em what it’s like to watch their daddies ass whooped… yeeeeeee hawwwww!!!!! Idiot!
Giving money for a bailout is only delaying the inevitable. They will blow through that money and then they will be back to where they are now. These scumbags dug their own graves and now they need to lay in them. American cars are built with Amercian money but manufactured in other countries. How is that fair to us. Let them ask the Mexican government for money. I was a technician at a Chevy dealership up until 3 months ago when I got layed off. There is only warranty work and that doesn’t pay shit. I got a 69 Chevelle, almost 40 years old. Lets see these new Chevys last 40 years. They barely last 4.
Hey you moron, your 69 Chevelle has only lasted 40 years because its probably been sitting in a garage. Do you actually think your going to have more money in your pocket if a bailout isn’t granted? Guess what, if its not spent on the auto industry it will be spent on helping Iraqi’s build their government or some other 3rd world country that contributes nothing but terrorist, how about bitching about that???
I dont want a bailout and I don’t want our government helping other countries either. My point was that American cars are built so poorly compared to my 69 chevelle that is why these big 3 companies need money. Noone is buying them, Toyota is the number one selling auto manufacturer in America. All the foreign cars are above the average mark for quality while all the American cars are below the average mark. We blow up Iraq for years and then we rebuild it. What kind of shit is that? Then we allow all these foreigners in to run 7/11’s without paying taxes for 7 years. Our government is fucked and so is our country. Get my point Moron?
This is not a quality issue, its an issue of a poor economy, high fuel cost and jobs leaving the country. I know everyone is on the No bailout bandwagon, but the same people bitching about the bailout fails to bitch about how our servants in D.C. spend our tax dollars every minute of everyday in pork, special interest and foreign interest. I would much rather see our tax dollars spent on an American industry that affect millions of American jobs so that our economy doesn’t fall any deeper into the doo doo then bailing out AIG.. And guess what, if the big 3 does fail, those high quality foreign cars will have to find another group of people to buy them because it sure wont be the unemployed Americans buying them. Your 69 Chevelle is from a different era, when engines barely got 100k and fuel was cheap, yeah they’re fun to look at and ride, but not practical in todays world and light years behind in safety.. Now turn off talk radio and think for yourself!
I thought this movie was great. People are so quick to judge other people and their lifestyles, that I think some lost the point to the movie. It’s about some folks in the rust belt racing cars. Thats it. No need to tell everyone why you’re better than them or how smart you are for leaving there. I have more respect for the people in these communities trying to better them and secure American jobs. Good luck Anderson.
Again, the previous poster misses the point entirely. If someone who has experienced life in a truly awful and somewhat hopeless place tells people how he got out, that is called “education”…like a teacher teaching a 10th grader calculus or advanced algebra. No one is saying that anyone is “better” or “smarter” than anyone else (a common argument used by people in lower socio economic and education categories)…I certainly am not. Again, the documentary does not lie, and my points that I made in previous posts as a 17 year resident of Anderson stand as the truth. The point of making the comments is not to belittle, it is to educate…and if you cant tell the difference, I feel bad for you.
By way of example…Sammy Hawkins is definitely a guy that I would have a couple a beers with. He seems like a guy who stands up for what he thinks is right and is trying to do what he loves to do which is race. He also tells the truth about Anderson…which some of you posters won’t do.
Especially BOILERDAN – this guy must be a glutton for punishment as he likes Anderson and spent 4 years plus at Purdue. Since I feel bad for you BOILERDAN I have a bunch of farm journals in my basement that I’ll send to you immediately. Also, how many basketball national championship banners are hanging in that dump they call Mackey Arena? That would be zero…I’ll call Gene Keady to see if that is accurate.
I have watched “DIRTY DRIVING” about 5 times now and I am still laughing at the stars of the show! What hams!
I have also read about every comment posted on the net about the people in the documentary, their lives, the city of Anderson, and every other insulting comment that could be thought of to pass along.
I was born and raised in Anderson, Indiana. I graduated from the origional Anderson High School in 1984, then moved to Ft. Lewis, Washington State in 1986. My father was a GM employee for over forty years. Same as my grandfather and uncle.
Although the people in this film are very real and live in Anderson…they are only a small percentage of it’s population. The Anderson, Indiana that I grew up in was loaded with money, everyone bought new GM car each year, our homes were not less than 4000 sq ft, college was paid by our parents, and we all took yearly vacations to Florida. I spent springbreak 1981 in Paris, France!
My father passed away one month almost to the date of his retirement from GM in 2007. I remember his worried voice as we would talk on the phone about what might happen to GM and Delco Remy. He would speak over and over about the downward spiral of the factory and what he stood to loose after working his whole life for this company in this town. He was genuinely afraid of what was sure to happen. I never once thought the doors to GM and Delco would close forever turning this town into such dilapidated conditions as viewed on this documentary. This is culture shock at it’s best for me.
My father and younger brother loved building race cars together. They restored a couple classics, rebuilt countless motors, and turned a $100.00 hunk O’junk into something that actually could win a race! I even knew a couple of the boys interviwed on the film when they were young.
The people of this struggleing town have deep roots that will not be easy to pull up. These people are the youngest of many generations in the area. The hardest thing for anyone to do is leave. Leaving means chaos; leaving means no safety net if you fall too far from home; leaving means no familiarity; leaving means no family. Leaving, for most, is out of the question.
These people of Anderson have suffered tremendous loss, in one way or another, and to no fault of their own. The race cars, the speedway, the euphoria these drivers feel when race day rolls around…it is about the only thing they have left that they can actually control as a human-being. It keeps them going everyday of their lives no matter what life brings to them. Rediculous insults written about tattoos and bad dental hygiene only show the true ignorance of the writer. Death took three out of four children away from Sammy Hawkins. Can you imagine how he (and his family)suffered emotional heartbreak at such a loss? Can you imagine the irrevocable emotional pain he lives with everyday? And then to realize that he will soon loose his job with most likely no other prospects for him to take care of his family by his own hand!? You should be ashamed of yourself for such worthless comments. Nobody has the personal authority to be judge and jury of another person.
I have been gone from Anderson a lot of years but, I did make it home from military duty at least once a year. Not once was I ever called “uppity” or “sell out” or any other such nonsense for choosing to leave my community. At least I had the willpower to go in the first place. Many of the folks from small town America do not have the luxury to make such a decision. There is a big difference between being able to work with your mind vrs. a lifetime of working with your back. Anderson was filled with Union pride and the demand of solidarity! Proudest working class people in America!
My family has passed on now, but I will always be proud to say, “I am from Anderson, Indiana!”
….and I have all of my teeth, thank you very much.
I would just leave it alone and stand by my posts, but I just can’t let the sob story of the last poster pass. “Union pride and the demand of solidarity” RUINED GM and the other major auto companies. It was the greed of the unions and the foolishness of the corporate leaders that created the mess that is now Anderson. Please pardon my repetition, but it bears another mention that these union hacks were making an average of $75 an hour (combined pay and benefits) to do a job that a trained seal could do, then they sit and cry about the fact that there are no more jobs. Extortionist unions will ruin this countries economy as well…whats left of it…with our new president in their hip pocket.
I also must address the comment “Anderson was loaded with money in the 80’s”. What a joke. My parents were college educated and upper middle class socioeconomically but the poverty was all around us…even in the 80’s (Chesterfield, Greenbriar, the west side, more lower class than upper socioeconomically) I worked at the Broadway McDonalds next to a laid off GM worker in 1981. Also in 1981, Anderson was in the top ten in America for per capita percentage of unemployed – and NUMBER ONE in the country for per capita black unemployed.
I’m glad that you found Anderson to be such a fulfilling and wonderful place. Face it, some people live in Siberia, Iraq, northern Canada, France, etc. so you have your reasons. But get away from Anderson as soon as you can…improve your quality of life and give your children (if applicable) a chance to grow up outside of that hellhole destroyed by greed and stupidity. The fully pensioned retirees will be all that are left…the businesses that thrive on them will be gone once they kick.
Isn’t it great that we live in a country where everyone can openly voice their opinion?
NAFTA – Sent millions of manufacturing jobs overseas for cheap labor.
American workers – Lost millions of Manufacturing jobs to overseas cheap labor.
American Products – Sales take a dump due to job loss!
Greed – Can’t send millions of jobs overseas and expect unemployed people to buy your products.
Fuel – Soaring fuel cost added insult to injury $4 per gallon for several months!
Housing – Default on mortgage due to job loss, stay in home rent free for 1 year until sheriffs auction.
Gov’t – HUD must buy up millions of bad home loans.
Bailouts – trying to stop a boulder rolling down the mountain. Print more money that really doesnt exist!
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All leads back to the government. I believe that Americans that can still afford to buy automobiles should buy Ford for one simple reason. Ford chose not to take the buy out, and stand on their own two feet, as Americans should. The other two gutless companies needed the government to hold their hand like a child. I live in Anderson, and when the factories were still running strong, mentioning Ford would cause a fight. Ford seems to be the only company of the three that chose to fight as American’s, and they are going to need our help to survive. The two companies that needed a baby-sitter shouldn’t be in business if they are not willing to fight, and take losses.
The first thing that these companies can do is bring American jobs back home, so that American’s will buy American Automobiles. ArmyGirl was right in stating that people used to buy a new GM vehicle every year, and those people were the American Factory worker. Until the silver-spoon fed CEO’s of these companies can see that, they will continue to suffer.
5IUBanners, I live in Greenbriar, and guess what… even people out here in this “Slum” bought GM cars every year. I do not know what you do for a living but I bet that it has something to do with screwing people. First thing IU teaches is “We are going to learn to use the sweat from other peoples backs, so that we do not have to work ourselves.” Correct?
You can learn all you want in college, survive, and live well. But… the person who has used his street smarts to start and opperate his/her business, coupled with a college education is usually the one that you have to answer to yourself. Because like GM and Chrysler, you still need your hand held.
In your empassioned but pathetic speech (like most people in the lower socio economic and education categories)you crucified the CEO’s but left out the piggish, selfish “machine operators” who at GM, again, were making on average a combined pay and benefits package worth $75 an hour (the work is worth about a third of that). If that wasnt raised every few years, the extortionist union constituency strikes. Talk about screwing people!! The auto workers sign on to do a job at pay that they agree to going in, and then they screw (by striking) the people that gave them the job in the first place!! That, my friend, is the root cause of the death of the American auto industry…plenty of greed to go around. The one (and probably only) thing I agree with you on is there should be no government bailout of any kind to these corporations.
Now, as to your decision to stay in Greenbriar…you must be a glutton for punishment (like BOILERDAN) because that place is dismal. Even you cant deny that poverty is rampant there just like the rest of Anderson. Get away from there as soon as you possibly can – you life will be better for it.
And as for me pal, I work on a 100% commission basis, so if I am not out there busting my tail in an organized and disciplined fashion every single day, I might not be around to see the next quarter. No goverment handouts, no union guarantees or yearly pay raises extorted from the people that hired them, no free lunch for me…and that is exactly how I want it.
Have fun in the A-hole….man, I’m glad I left!!
You da man! What is it you do? Sounds miserable! Damn, your very disgruntal..
Two classes left and I will have an Architectural Degree, and yes I am leaving. There is nothing for me here as far as work goes. Family, and many good friends are here, but they can visit me where ever I end up, and I will always come back home. Even though this town is in crisis, it is still in my blood. Good luck with your non-secure job by the way. I am glad you like it like that.
Hey when the economy eats you alive, I’ll have a house in Greenbriar to rent you.
BigMike, I’m sorry if you think I’m “disgruntal”…I actually have a great and happy life. I meant no harm with my posts, I just feel strongly about Anderson and the documentary I felt reinforced some of the opinions that I always had of the place.
Best of luck to all of you, and if you choose to stay in Anderson, I hope things turn around for the place.
Things will turn around for Anderson. Every community has its up times and its down times. This community will rise again, as it has so many times before.
5IUBANNERS, Thanks for the apology to the whole town. You could very well be in our position one day. As communities have their ups and downs… so do people. Anyone who remembers that, will realize that it may only take a single accident on a ride to the grocery store, or a unforseen house fire, or a greedy corperation that decides that it can make more $$$$ elsewhere, shipping your jobs to a sweat shop in Veitnam. Everyones life can be upturned by one person’s desition. The people of Anderson would be proud if the factories were to come back, and I believe that they would even work for $15.00 – $20.00 per hour, and be happy. One thing the above person stated that I did agree with was that $75.00 per hour for a factory job was a little extreme. Union’s have to be shoved aside, American workers do not need their hands held by such enforcers of greed. Good luck everyone, things will come together.
America is just now reaping the rewards from its free trade deals signed in over the past 10 years. Chinese people can build it cheaper, and you people are buying it all up. America has turned into a service only nation, we export nothing! We would rather pay Walmart for Lead paint toys… Keep blaming the union.
Hey Sammy, I know that alot goes on outside the cameras view from editing, but you looked as if you were a sore loser. That Riddle guy apologized and you accepted, then later in the show you deliberatley pushed his car outta commission.. I just think if someone apologizes and you accept it, its done and over. Or was their more to be seen that the editing didn’t show? Did you ever win a trophy? “Cobra my ass, I got your mongoose righ here” that was good… Goodluck
Let’s be clear, leferded. I apologize for nothing. My previous post was empathetic to the folks that are having a tough time of it in Anderson but certainly no apology for telling the truth about Anderson…a town destroyed by it’s own greed and foolishness. I hope people who look at this have the good sense to explore their options (as you are)and good luck to you and them, but no apology here.
Hell, Anderson owes me an apology.
I’ve thought about my previous post for a few days now, and I guess I just want to say Im sorry… God Bless everyone in 2009!
Just so everyone knows…the January 1st, 2009 post made at 4:23pm was not made by me.
First of all, whoever posted it, F you.
And second, just to be clear, I apologize for absolutely nothing that I have said on this comment site. Anderson is an absolute s**thole destroyed by the greed of the auto companies and the unions. Get out while you still can.
I’ve seen this HBO show twice now. The first time was the best obviously. I bragged about it to others. There are not too many rednecks in my part, not saying there aren’t. If there was an image of one, however, this portrayed to the “T”. Both wild Willy and Sammy have the heart any small community needs. What I took out of this and would be supported in my theory is: you get a big million dollar racer and this group. This group knows the importance of family. Other then cars family is number one. Don’t think some million dollar making driver in NASCAR can say that.
I apologize, I havent been on my medications. I was let go by a union shop a few years ago, and I struggle with it now and then.
Your mother is off her medications…and your sexuality is what you struggle with now and then
Man, eversince I got this here computer I havent been able to stay out the chat rooms. For the first time in my life I got friends, and even a couple girl friends. When I was in Anderson I use to goto the races and get autographs, my grandma use to race and blow everybody at the end, what a hoot! yeee haw! see yall at the races
To the fake “5IUBANNERS”, get a clue, get a real name and come up with something original. At least the REAL “5IUBANNERS” has his own thoughts and sticks with his opinions (right or wrong, they are opinions). Just getting back to this site and what a riot it has been to read all the comments.
The real “5IUBANNERS” still lives in the past, as all he still has to say to a Purdue grad is “see how many banners we have??” WOW, what a genius. Did Sampson give you that one over his cell phone?? No, we don’t have any banners, but I still get a kick out of watching the Boilers beating the “Loosiers” and getting national recognition in hoops and football. IU is kicking their QB out of school and paying outrageous money for the 5 or 7 wins in hoops. Yep, you really got me there. I am sorry, I just don’t live in the “glory past” of my school as I like to enjoy the present and see what the future brings. I am sure IU will turn it around about the same time Anderson does.
This is NOT an accurate portrayal of Anderson.. Not even close. I live in Anderson, work in Anderson and have a decent job, a nice, (new) home and no crime in my area. They really over-exaggerated this story and it’s sad. I really hope people don’t watch this and believe it. Yes, the factories closed and lots of people were laid off. But Indy is less than 30 miles away and most got jobs there. It’s not like we are a destitute town now.
You should have gotten ALL sides of the story.. not just the side of the scum of Anderson. Shame shame 🙁
I am going to have to agree that this is not an accurate portrayal of Anderson whatsoever not only as a resident but as a young educated citizen. Racing is not a big deal in this town at all. I couldn’t even name a distant relative to anyone that races at that track. I regard the track and empty factories as eyesores to my community. Although, it’s the end of the manufacturing era and quitting attitude of some people that have led to the downfall of this city. People who would rather leave and make pacts to not come back. Heaven forbid that those so highly educated people actually return and make the city better. As long as there are quitters in this community that won’t be the case. I for one do plan to help Anderson someday. I didn’t watch the documentary but I know that everyone who did and made negative comments about how dumb the people of Anderson have to be must not be too educated themselves. If they were so smart wouldn’t they realize that in a city of 50,000 people not every single person can live in a trailer, have no teeth, and be Wal-Mart greeters. Come on.
Seems like 5iubanners is really immature for his age and very repetitive. Example: his idea of socioeconoimic people, 75$ an hour on average(not likely), and anderson being a shit-hole. Somebody needs to figure out that wikipedia isn’t a reliable source.
I’m a Canadian and just love watching you stupid hicks smash up old cars and making yourselves look like a bunch of dirty mouth pigs. You all look and dress like a bunch of HoBo’s and most of your famillies are discusting screwups. How you can live like that is a real ?? for everyone else.
Andrson Indiana muist be the biggest shit dump in the great U.S.A. ( United Snakes of America ). We feel sorry for all of you ,,But,,,???
A mind is indeed a terrible thing to waste. I drink but keep it to moderation, I curse but that’s an unfortunate side effect of the army. I’m able to turn it off if around women and children, elderly, ect. All things in moderation people. It’s the only way to live life successfully.
I just watched this Doc again this morning. I think it’s a great snapshot of America. These are real people who aren’t trying to be something they are not. Those who only focus on the bad teeth and creative hairstyles are missing the point. And I wish I were half as passionate about a hobby as these people are about racing.
i cannot believe all of the negative senseless comments that have posted. i guess it all depends on what you took away from the show.
I saw a community that has been devastated by an economy going global. I saw good people who have developed a strong identity in spite of the miserable lack of opportunities. A town that has been able to redefine itself in the face of harsh times. We can all learn a valuable lesson in human relationships. yes, I can see the crassness of some of the scenes, but this is the real world. I am certain that
many of these people would make those on Wall Street seem like ex-cons. their values were evident by the sincerity and empathy for one another. Please, this situation could happen to any of us. many college grads would be unemployed and left scratching their heads if confronted with their reality. this town is an example of what makes us human, so i would not be so quick to judge.
This movie is a SLAP in our face! I have been an Anderson resident for over 35 yrs and as much as anyone would like a change of scenery…this is MY HOME! I’ve been all over the US and always find myself back here!!!!
Yes, there is some rednecks in this town but…show me a town that DOESN’T have them!?
I am well educated, a great mother, I dont drink and I have all of my teeth!!!! Yes this town needs more jobs BUT….we survive! Im a FIRM believer that “only God can judge me” and by reading a majority of these comments and posts…some of you need to open a bible! Shame on most of you for the rude comments and judgmental attitudes. NO ONE is any better then anyone else and thats the main reason I LOVE living here. The people in this town are REAL but most of all…they are loving and caring!
Keep your head up Anderson! It WILL get better!!!
Ok, I have lived in Madison county my entire life, and I can honestly say this is 10% of the population in our county. We are midwestern folk, we smoke, we drink, we have guns, we drive fast, but the majority of us understand the economic downfall of GM pulling out and loosing the majority of our income. Most of us are good people struggling but trying to do better for ourselves and our families. There are parts of Anderson I don’t like to go through because it is utterly depressing and disheartening, but just three miles from that track is beautiful farm country with respectable farmers making a decent living and raising wonderful children in a world that throws stones. I am a well educated educated women, from a lower middle class family who want nothing more than happy healthy succesful children. Yes we live in a ghost town, yes we are beaten down, yes there is crime, yes there is struggle, but show me one midwestern town that isn’t. With good comes bad, its balance and natural order. This world needs more hope and proactive people who have compassion for humanity.
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