Talladega Short Track driver removed in handcuffs

Dirt racing driver runs hot during Talladega Ice Bowl

The Talladega Ice Bowl is a fairly large dirt late model event held annually during the traditional off-season. This year, the event runs January 7-10.

The Talladega Short Track is a dirt track located in Talladega, Alabama. The 1/3-mile is headlined as ‘Dirt Trackin’ Southern Style’. The main event in the Super Late Model division pays $5,000 to win.

On Sunday night, it was the final night of the show. Officials dropped the green flag on the 604 crate late model division, a 50 lap support class race.

On lap 11, tempers flared following a restart. Cody Overton and Blant Duke fought for space into turn one in a battle for 5th.

It looked like Overton was turned off the wall slightly at the flagstand but Duke was already to his inside. At this point, they were well away from corner entry.

With the contact, Duke jumped the over the wheels of Overton. Both drivers then had zero control of the car as they spun into turn one.

It was just a racing deal. Unfortunately, many cars were collected as the track was blocked for the rest of the field.

Jimmy Elliott locked the brakes and jacked his car sideways for a four wheel slide as he approached the crash with nowhere to go. In the process, Buddy George drove under his door and lifted Elliott off the ground.

Elliott came to a rest on top of Buddy George. It was somewhat minor damage for both cars.

Talladega Short Track altercation/arrest

Buddy George then climbed from his car in a fury. He ran across the roof of his own late model. As Jimmy Elliott was still parked on top of Elliott. He dangled in the air as George appeared at his driver’s window and began yelling.

George then appeared to reach into the cockpit. Officials began to circle the machines.

People in the infield began yelling at the drivers. George then pointed back at them as he stood in the middle of the race track.

George then started walking toward the infield, waving his hands in the air as he communicated with what could be crew members for opposing teams.

Someone grabbed George from behind in an attempt to keep him away from the people in the infield. George then turned and pushed that man to the ground.

A minor calm appeared, George was then escorted back to his car. At this point, Elliott was out of his car. George yelled a few more words to Elliott, as Elliott backed away and stood behind his own car.

Two people then drove down the front stretch in a golf cart. A police officer jumped out of his cart at the scene and immediately placed George in handcuffs, without hesitation.

“We got one driver acting a fool in turn number one,” the track announcer said over the PA system.

George was then escorted off the race track in the golf cart via the police officer.

“He gone. Bye bye,” the announcer added.

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Talladega Short Track

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