Re: Went to a fight and a race broke out
 

I'm baffled that an alleged assault took place and the aggressor was allowed to remain on the grounds and wasn't arrested. Seems that we have three parties behaving badly, the aggressor and the United States Auto Club/O'Reilly Raceway Park/County Sheriff for taking no action, at the minimum, immediate removal from the premises. I can't imagine anyone assaulting someone in plan view, especially some kind of alleged aggressive move to the upper body/head, and not being arrested immediately.

Re: Went to a fight and a race broke out
 

Originally Posted by lazyifoto:
What will TS do when Usac goes to Eldora to show them HE IS THE BOSS . You slapped my hand I'll show you Whaaaaaa WHHHHaaaaaaaaa

Whats he going to do provide the racers with a dry slicky for hot laps and over all dusty conditions that doesn't allow you to see from one side of the track to the other?

Oopps...can't do that. He's already doing that.

I heard someone say to me on the phone today that he lived long enough to see his hero turn into and ***hole. I have thought alot about that today and I have to say it makes me sick to see Smoke be the pompass *** he is sometimes. All of this what an hour or two after the feel good story of his foundation giving the K-9 vets and then this. He must have forgotten to take his meds. :(

Re: Went to a fight and a race broke out
 

Can you blame Smoke for being upset?? The team had nothing laid out ready in case something happened. :headbang It looked like a circus when they ALL finally jumped into action. :headbang I didn't know it took 8+ people to change a tire. And then they looked around for the push truck to come up behind them when they were ready.... they knew that they had to be in the inspection box ready to be pushed off BEFORE the one to go is given. I wonder how the team member that got punched first is doing, not to mention the USAC pit steward.

Re: Went to a fight and a race broke out
 

Originally Posted by AlkyMadness:
The overall attitude in response to TS doing this is hypocritically funny. If Tony does it, well, he had good reason and it's really okay.

Now, if Sammy Swindell had committed this same act, the howling would be heard for hundreds of miles calling for his arrest and dismemberment. Same goes for the outrage that Steve Kinser seemed to incur on several message boards when he lit into the WoO officials at Eldora.

Just depends on who the perp is.

I believe most sanctioning bodies do have rules against "handling" officials. And they need to be enforced just like other major "respectable" sports do (NFL, NHL, NBA, NCAA, etc). No need for the law to be involved (unless physical injury results).

USAC should ban TSR from all sanctioned events for 30 days effective immediately. This kind of crap needs to be nipped in the bud. Otherwise, it sends a message to every team owner and driver that it's okay to "intimidate" officials. Once shoving becomes acceptable, then punches become borderline.

Is this a harsh penalty, sure. But Kevin Miller and USAC are trying to sell their product to new audiences and capture more of the market. I can assure you, NASCAR would penalize the hell out of Tony if he did that to one of their pit road staff.

If you shoved a track official at a show at Bloomington, Gas City, the Burg, or Haubstadt, I suspect you'd be escorted out and asked not to come back for a while.

dude u are crazy, TS sold the product to the fans extremely well, usac got attention on Windtunnel and all across tv stations and message boards. Because of his tirade people will pay to come back. weather u like it or not nothing big is going to come about this, instead it will be a highlite show before next years ppv chili bowl event.

Re: Went to a fight and a race broke out
 

when was the last time a story involving a USAC event was on espn.com?

Re: Went to a fight and a race broke out
 

TONY STEWART FINED $10,000 BY USAC, TONY STEWART RACING

PLACED ON PROBATION THROUGH 2008





USAC team owner Tony Stewart has been fined $10,000 and Tony Stewart Racing has been placed on probation for the balance of the 2008 USAC racing season following an incident on pit road during Thursday night’s USAC National Midget race at O’Reilly Raceway Park (ORP) in Indianapolis.



Stewart was fined for violation of USAC competition rules 10.28 (Unsportsmanlike Conduct) and 10.32 (Conduct Detrimental to Racing) after his interaction with USAC race officials following an on-track incident involving one of his Midgets driven by Tracy Hines. Hines had scraped the wall and pitted for a tire change, but his car was not deemed ready to re-enter the race in time to rejoin the field for the restart.



“USAC immediately assessed the incident and it was determined that unacceptable behavior detrimental to the sport had occurred, and that the professionalism and the integrity of the series and its promoters had been severely compromised,” stated Jason Smith, Vice President of Racing Operations for USAC. “While we respect the passion of our teams in the spirit of competition, we regret this incident occurred and are dedicated to averting a recurrence in the future.”



“I apologize to USAC and their fans for my behavior last week at ORP. My own misinterpretation of USAC policies in place at the time led to confusion and elevated emotions,” Stewart said. “I’m very passionate about my race team and will stand up for them when I think something isn’t right. Obviously, I handled this particular situation the wrong way, and if I had to do it over again, it never would’ve happened.”



In addition to the fine and his race team being placed on probation through the 2008 season, Stewart will also pay for the costs of new radios and uniforms for USAC officials.



“Tony offered to go beyond the penalties USAC assessed him because he wanted to do something positive that would have specific impact for our officials,” said Kevin Miller, CEO and President of USAC. “While what took place at ORP last week was unfortunate, we applaud Tony’s commitment to bettering USAC and for providing additional equipment officials use week in and week out.”