I am so proud of the strides we have made and the things we have accomplished in a very short span of time at the Fairgrounds Speedway. This is without a doubt the greatest short track in America! We have so many exciting events on the horizon in 2009 with series’ such as ASA, CRA, and Ken-Ten making an appearance later in the year.
Our show this past weekend was an impressive night of competition on both tracks here at the Fairgrounds Speedway. I think it may have been the best show of the year to date. We now have new competitors in our Sportsman division, which is a big plus for the fans too. The Trucks are without a doubt the show the fans cannot wait to witness on the track with its non-stop action. In our Late Model division we feel we have some of the best racers in the country, but this past weekend short tempers gave way to dangerous actions by our current track champion Andy Johnson and former track champion Mark Day.
The first 100 laps were exhilarating for the fans and the staff here at the track. The second leg of the action, the first 50 lap section, was also intense and eventful. But, the beginning of the last leg of the race, the second 50 laps, is where I have to draw the line as a respectable promoter.
After the massive wreck on the track that virtually took out the entire field for a short while was not only an on-track melee, but it spilled over onto pit road. As the promoter of the Fairgrounds Speedway I will not tolerate drivers and/or their crews taking situations into their own hands and therefore endangering themselves, the pit crews, officials, and fans in the pit area.
This has been an ongoing battle for several years between Johnson and Day, two of the best Late Model drivers in the country, but tempers flared past the acceptable stage on Saturday night. I fully understand the passion and talent these two drivers possess, but those attributes should be a deterrent to such behavior not a catalyst for a brawl to ensue.
I have issued the following penalties against Johnson and Day:
· Both drivers are disqualified from the event on Saturday, May 23
· Neither driver will receive points for the event
· Neither driver will receive money for the event
· Both drivers are suspended for one race
· Andy Johnson is fined an additional $500 for his action on pit road as his actions could have resulted in severe injury or even death of a crew member, an official, or an innocent bystander in the pit area.
Several other crew members from random teams will also be contacted and possibly fined or suspended for their involvement during the pit road clash.
We are striving hard to make this track the premier destination for all racers. We want all racers to know this type of ill-advised conflict will not be tolerated and it will be penalized to the fullest at the Fairgrounds Speedway.
I’m truly grateful for all the support we are receiving from the competitors and the community and I want to thank every one of them.
THANK YOU!
Sincerely,
Danny Denson
Fairgrounds Speedway Promoter
JOHNSON should be suspended for an indeffinate time at nashville.He not only wrecked Mark but also tore up a lot of other cars also.He has been rough driving for over 2 years now and it is about time to put him in his place.He also could have hurt a lot of other people on pit road saturday night.He has been a smart mouth for a while now even at the opening season meeting at the Fairgronnds.Mark gave to him what he had coming for a long time.I guarantee you if Johnson had been driving at Highland Rim,Beechbend,or at a dirt track up here in Ky.,he would have done had his head busted many times and then suspended for his ignorance.He cost the teams a lot of money since sponsorships and money is tighter nowdays.Since he has so much money Johnson should enter his car in demolition derbys.Mark Day should NOT be suspended or should loose his money for the race.Andy Johnson is the reason a lot of drivers care not to race at the Fairgrounds because he is played favoritsm as he has in the past.All I got to say is bring it on Johnson and us Northern boys will show you what it's all about.
ReplyDeleteWhy is it when Day hits someone in the first 100 laps its just called racing for second, but when he and Andy get together it all of a sudden turns into Andy wrecked Mark. I think after the backstretch incident, Mark got exactly what he asked for. Could it have been handled differently? Sure, but Mark knew what was coming thats why he left his helmet on. Ive been around racing since the early 80s at highland rim thats just Mark Day for ya. Always whines when he dont get his way!! Can we say Deborah Renshaw. As for you northern boys, if ya cant hadle the heat stay out of the kitchen. Eddie(knuckles)
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