Orange Show Speedway issues fines, suspensions
SAN BERNARDINO (July 18, 2007) –
Orange Show Speedway has taken disciplinary action against three drivers
and two crew members for their involvement in several incidents during
and immediately after the BSR West Late Model main event Saturday night
(July 14).
Jimmy Rouse has been suspended for one year and his
son, Jimmy Rouse Jr., has been fined $1,000 and placed on probation
for the balance of the 2007 season. Brian Fitzgibbons has been suspended
for two months. Jim Conklin has been fined $283.83 and placed on probation
for the balance of the season. And Darrell McKee Jr. has been fined
$200 for two rules violations and placed on probation for the rest of
the year.
In addition, speedway officials have modified rule
6-1.2 to include the loss of championship points as a potential penalty
for fighting, rough driving or other acts of violence.
All rulings are effective immediately.
“I think we’ve been fair but firm,”
Orange Show Speedway Director of Racing Joe Ganino Jr. said after a
long day of examining all available evidence and interviewing eye witnesses
to the incidents. “We want to send the message that we are going
to impose penalties when it’s necessary and we’re going
to do it in a timely fashion.”
The BSR West Late Model race ended controversially
after Conklin, the class points leader, bumped the car of race leader
Kevin James on the final lap of the 35-lap event. The contact caused
James’ Chevrolet Monte Carlo to spin and, seemingly, gave Conklin
the lead. But race officials ruled that Conklin was guilty of rough
driving and gave the checkered flag, and the win, to Brian Malone. Conklin
was last in the line of cars still running and officially finished ninth.
As the drivers were returning to the pits, McKee
drove his car into the side of the car driven by Rouse Jr. to indicate
his displeasure at what McKee considered over-aggressive driving by
the 14-year-old. Then Rouse and Fitzgibbons got into a physical altercation
as they were leaving the south grandstand after serving as spotters
for Rouse Jr. and McKee, respectively.
“This is a part of short track racing
that no one enjoys,” Ganino said of the disciplinary actions,
“but when someone’s actions go beyond what you normally
expect in the heat of competition, there has to be a response.\
“We spent all day on this. We looked
at everything available and talked to everyone we could to make sure
we had a clear idea of what had happened. The penalties we’ve
imposed are all spelled out in our rule book and we believe they’re
the right ones.”
Jimmy Rouse, who serves as his son’s crew chief
and spotter, has been suspended under Rule 6-1.3 (5), which addresses
any physical contact with an Orange Show Speedway official or another
competitor. The penalty for the first offense is a 1-year suspension
and a minimum $1,000 fine.
In this case, however, the fine technically has been
levied against Rouse Jr. under Rule 6-1.1, which holds the driver responsible
for the actions of his team. Rouse Jr. also has been placed on probation
for the balance of the 2007 season.
During the period of his suspension, which went into
effect July 14, the elder Rouse will not be allowed in the Orange Show
Speedway pits as a spectator or crew member and will not be permitted
to compete as a driver.
The sanctions imposed by Orange Show Speedway are
enforced at all ASA member tracks, among them Havasu 95 Speedway in
Lake Havasu City , Ariz.
Fitzgibbons, who was spotting for McKee, has been
suspended for two months under Rule 6-1.3 governing language or behavior
detrimental to the sport and, like Rouse, he will not be allowed in
the pits or on the track during that period.
McKee has been assessed two $100 fines, one under
Rule 6-1.1 and the other under Rule 6-1.3 (3), which addresses intentional
car-to-car contact under caution or after the completion of a race.
He, too, has been placed on probation for the balance of the season.
Conklin was found in violation of Rule 1-12.1, Rough
Driving. The fine and probation mandated by speedway officials is in
addition to the loss of championship points and prize money Conklin
suffered by being placed last among the finishers.
Racing at Orange Show Speedway is sponsored by Lucas
Oil, Blackhawk Protection, Hype Manufacturing, Del Taco, Aflac Insurance,
KTTD radio (AM 1350), Leno’s Rico Taco, Soboba Casino, Budweiser,
Hoosier Racing Tires, Frank’s Radio Service, Torco Racing Fuels,
Parker Pumper/BSR West, Eibach Springs, JP Striping, Center Chevrolet,
Pepsi, Matich Coporation, L. Curti Truck and Equipment, One Stop Landscape
Supply, Extreme Exhibits & Logistics, Little Green Onions and the
San Bernardino County Sun.
For further information, contact Jim Short at 951-203-2649
or jimshort65@sbcglobal.net, call Orange Show Speedway at 909-888-6788,
X438, or visit the web site at www.nosevents.com.
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