Originally Posted by tomcat5402:
J.T. Stapp your the one the started the trouble tell it like it is not what you want people to beleve.
Every one needs to go to St.Louis Racing.com and get the real story.
Both sides of the story have already been posted on here. No need to go to the website (if you would have provided a good address). "Mustang" posted his side, JT posted his side, the only person who hasn't posted would be Mr. Gurley, but I might have missed a post.
For yucks, I will edit both of the sides in.
---------- Post added at 07:02 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:00 PM ----------
Promoters (??) side
Originally Posted by :
HERE IS WHAT WENT DOWN AT MT. VERNON SATURDAY NIGHT!!
John Gurley and I were informed by the track promoter that he was short and wanted to pay everyone in checks for the A-Main. I went around and gathered up all drivers and owners to discuss the situation.
Aric Gentry suggested we all load up and not run. We then all decided to go up to the push off ramp and let the fans know why we weren’t on the track yet. A lot of chaos took place from there and punches were thrown. Some of the punches struck young Sprint Car Driver Tyler Trainor and his Dad. Some of our ASCT Officials were also hit trying to get the Mt. Vernon officials off of Tyler and his Dad.
The cops were called and told what happened, but no arrests were made at that time. Charges may still be filed, only time will tell.
It was a very unfortunate incident that never needed to escalate to our officials, drivers, and owners being assaulted!!
We did run the Feature after all, and I was personally paid cash, but 1st, 2nd, and possibly 3rd were paid in checks. I hope they are good.
I am relieved to be back home and look forward to another race somewhere else.
Thanks,
J.T. Stapp
Track operator
Originally Posted by :
J.T. If you want to air this, then air the truth.The truth is, that JT went to the pits and told the drivers we did not have enough to pay them.That was totally false,I went to John and told John,that there was not enough cash to pay each one of drivers and asked if a check would be ok. At that time he said yes,about 15 mins later,John the promoter of the Sprint series came to me,and asked me to make a check to each driver.I said that would be fine,after the fact of what happened,John told me that JT went to each drivers pit and told them that we did not have enough money to pay them.That is what incited the mob like action from the Sprint drivers, with one of the pit crew guys, not sure who he was with,hit me with his chest four times, and I told him that he needed to quit.They were all in a restricted area, and I asked them to get out of it several times,they were trying to go on the track.This kids Dad that you speak of,told me as well as other track officals there,that he would whip four or five of us, to bring them on.He then doubled his fist to swing on me,and a fight broke out. It is a very unfortunate that it happened, had the drivers from the sprint series paid us in cash instead of check then all drivers would have been paid in cash.Everyone except for 1st and 2nd place were paid cash. We were told that JT would not be part of the series any lonnger due to stirring up controversy.
By the way JT there were only three up against your Sprint drivers,that were throwing alot more punches than the two or three that were fighting back.Shame on you JT, you should have never went down and incited your drivers, and you call yourself a promoter. Rick
P.S. there was no track officals involved in this, other than trying to break it up,and the promoter did not throw a punch, or touch any of the sprint drivers.JT, as long as you are a part of this series,you will never be booked at Mt. Vernon again.
Promoters Response
Originally Posted by :
Rick Heck, there is no need to try to make you or your race track look better for the mess that was created when you decided to tell John Gurley and myself you were $1100 short and wanted to pay everyone in checks. Our contracts specifically state we are to be paid in cash only, before the A-Main hits the track, plain and simple!!
It is my duty as a racer and promoter to let my fellow competitors know what is going on!! They travel a long way to put on a show for your fans not to be paid in cash as advertised. They need money to get back home! The fact is if you just would have given us the cash everything would have been fine. You as a promoter should know you can take a loss and should have extra cash in reserve at the track on a race night. You might think you are a great promoter but you have things to learn too. We had a written contract and you breached that contract, plain and simple.
I had heard many rumors from other racers and promoters to be careful of you and I ignored them to give you the benefit of the doubt. I guess I should have listened.
You probably need to stick to running stock cars only. Sprint Cars deserve better places to run.
I am not taking sides and won't judge since I wasn't there. All there is now is he said/he said.
