Morris received a $1,000 fine and is on probation until
December 31. Also, any attempt by Reynolds to participate in a NASCAR event as
a crew member of Morris’ No. 01 team will result in further penalties levied to
Morris.
It has also been indicated to Reynolds that he is on suspension through the end of the season for all NASCAR sanctioned events, even though he does not currently own a NASCAR license as a crew member. He will not be allowed to return until he applies for a license, something he will not be eligible to do until 2020.
NASCAR also levied a $1,500 fine against Pulliam and
suspended him until April 17. If the fine is not paid, the NASCAR suspension
will continue. Pulliam will be on probation until December 31. The South Boston
Speedway season does not resume until April 20.
South Boston Speedway officials emphasized that this was a
NASCAR penalty, and not one imposed by South Boston Speedway, and that the
track is disappointed with the ruling.
“We disagree with the penalty handed down to Lee Pulliam,” said Cathy Rice, general manager of South Boston Speedway. “We are disappointed with the penalty and there will not be a track penalty for Pulliam or Morris.”
The track recommended no penalties for Pulliam or Morris. Officials asserted that Pulliam acted in self-defense and Morris was not responsible for the actions of his crew chief.
During a red-flag period in the second of two 75-lap Late
Model races, Reynolds ran onto the racing surface between the first and second
turns, threw a two-way radio that hit the windshield of Pulliam’s race car and
then crawled head-first into the passenger side of Pulliam’s car.
Pulliam started his car and took off, ejecting Reynolds onto
the surface of the race track. No one was injured in the incident.
The incident came after Morris and Pulliam had an on-track altercation that resulted in Morris’ car wrecked forcing the red-flag period.
Matt Weaver is the owner and founder of Short Track Scene. Weaver grew up in the sport, having raced himself before becoming a reporter in college at the University of South Alabama. He also has extensive experience covering NASCAR, IndyCar and Dirt Sprint Cars.
2 Comments
2 Comments
marshall haines
April 4, 2019 at 4:37 pm
i agree with track 100%
James Chapman
April 5, 2019 at 1:01 pm
I completely disagree with the racetrack on this. This incident could have ended up with a serious injury or death.
Reynolds absolutely deserved to be penalized for his stupid decision of entering the racing surface and confronting a competitor. With that said, what amounts to suspension for the remainder of the season is exceptionally harsh in my opinion. I have no problem with Morris being penalized $1000 for the actions of his team member.
My issue is with the extremely light penalty given to Pulliam for intentionally starting his car and then driving away in a dangerous accelerating manner with someone else reaching inside the car. A two week suspension (which really means nothing given the season doesn’t resume until after the suspension) and a fine of $1500 is way to light for an action that could have potentially killed someone, even if that person was being stupid.
I can say that outside of a racetrack, if that happened on the street the prosecutor would take a serious look at criminal charges for both individuals.
marshall haines
April 4, 2019 at 4:37 pm
i agree with track 100%
James Chapman
April 5, 2019 at 1:01 pm
I completely disagree with the racetrack on this. This incident could have ended up with a serious injury or death.
Reynolds absolutely deserved to be penalized for his stupid decision of entering the racing surface and confronting a competitor. With that said, what amounts to suspension for the remainder of the season is exceptionally harsh in my opinion. I have no problem with Morris being penalized $1000 for the actions of his team member.
My issue is with the extremely light penalty given to Pulliam for intentionally starting his car and then driving away in a dangerous accelerating manner with someone else reaching inside the car. A two week suspension (which really means nothing given the season doesn’t resume until after the suspension) and a fine of $1500 is way to light for an action that could have potentially killed someone, even if that person was being stupid.
I can say that outside of a racetrack, if that happened on the street the prosecutor would take a serious look at criminal charges for both individuals.