Figthin' at the dirt track Saturday night

[underpants]

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/sports/autoracing.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-05-18-0239.html

Fisticuffs mar end of Late Models
After trading paint on track, pair of drivers trade words, more off it


A couple of on-track altercations turned into a victory lane melee Friday night at Southside Speedway, and Doug Godsey could pay a heavy price.

Godsey and Chris Hopkins made contact in each of the two 50-lap Late Model races, with Hopkins getting the short end of the stick in the first and Godsey seeing heavy damage to his car in the second. Following the second incident, Godsey was the final car on a restart and laid back to allow Hopkins, who was leading, to catch up to him.

Track officials saw it developing, and black flagged Godsey's car. He stopped on the track, waited for the cars to come around, and pulled up next to Hopkins to express his displeasure. However, no contact was made.

Godsey returned to the pits and changed into street clothes. Hopkins went on to win the race and headed to victory lane. After his on-track interview with the track announcer, Hopkins walked to where his family and friends were gathered between his car and the pit road wall.

At that point, Godsey walked over and made physical contact with Hopkins. Godsey claimed Hopkins saw him coming, but eyewitness said Hopkins had his back turned to Godsey.

"I probably got my hands around his neck a little bit," Godsey said. "I tried to pull him across the wall a little bit, tried to talk to him. I just wanted him to get a little closer, that's all."

It quickly escalated, with several members of Hopkins' family and crew joining in, along with members of Godsey's crew who came over, and several punches were thrown