Ricky Brooks, crew escorted off property on final day working at Cordele

The relationship between Ricky Brooks’ UARA crew and Cordele Motor Speedway ended one day short of its scheduled conclusion.

Both parties announced earlier in the week that a decision was mutually reached for Brooks to step down as track general manager after this weekend, which also included working through the CARS Tour event the weekend before.

Tension has been mounting in recent weeks between both sides over a variety of operational disputes. Despite that, both sides agreed to part ways professionally with a well-intentioned mutual statement that confirmed that Ben Sumner would take over as operations manager once Saturday night ended. Brooks maintained all week that his working through this Saturday night was merely serving through a 30-day notice.

Their final day didn’t make it through lunch on Saturday.

First, a statement from the track, which was provided in lieu of a text message request for statement from track owner Greg Noland:

As we prepare for tonight’s Pro Truck Twin 50s, we want to take a moment to address an important update. Effective immediately, Cordele Motor Speedway and Ricky Brooks have mutually agreed to part ways. While the timing is less than ideal, especially on a race day, this decision was made amicably and with respect for all parties involved.

We are grateful to Ricky Brooks and his team for their contributions to our program and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.

Moving forward, Ben Sumner will step in as our new Operations Manager. He and our team have been working diligently to ensure that tonight’s event — and all future events — continue to meet the high standards our fans and teams expect.

The morning began with a Facebook post from Brooks stating that he was still working at the track with no shortage of industry scuttlebutt that he had been fired.

“Just letting all you (shit emoji) stirring people know that I’m still at Cordele Motor Speedway today working out the 30-day notice that I gave the Nolands. Thank you all for being in my business and spreading false rumors and lies about my life. Get you own life. (middle finger emoji)”

An hour later, the police arrived and Brooks was notified that he and his staff were ‘trespassing’ on the facility and was asked to leave.

The story circulating from multiple sources privy to the exchange is that Brooks and company were told that by law enforcement they were ‘caught on camera’ badmouthing the Nolands.

“Then something was said and caught on camera as well,” one source said.
“So I am hearing that the Brooks crew and one of the bigger teams down here got to drinking last night and came back to the track talking a lot of shit and the Nolands got it on cameras,” said another source.
“Rumors has it that Ricky and his crew went out drinking last night and when they got back to the track, apparently the cameras caught them talking crap,” said one more.

For his part, Brooks says there is no merit to that accusation, ‘a complete made up lie,’ and that when police arrived on the scene, he asked for proof that it had happened. He has not seen any such evidence as of press time. Brooks says he is very adamant that no one from his crew did any such thing and will believe that until he is shown otherwise.

Brooks also insisted, just as he did earlier in the week, that he wanted to serve out the 30-day notice he provided to the Nolands and leave the track without issue or incident. He was proud of the work his team did in working alongside CARS Tour last week and wishes that was how the relationship with the speedway and Nolands ended.