Tri-County Speedway fight sparked following late model race (Video)

Torque wrenches send crew member to hospital

Tri-County Speedway is an asphalt track in Granite Falls, NC. The 4/10-mile oval welcomed multiple short track classes to the facility on Saturday night.

Watch the Tri-County Speedway fight videos below.

Fireworks went off in the late model division. Multiple fights were sparked and wrenches were thrown.

On a closing laps restart, Jacob Heafner picked the bottom lane. Justin Johnson was set to start on his outside.

While under caution, Heafner moved his car up the track in an attempt to change his mind before the green flag. While trying to get into Johnson’s lane, the two drivers made contact, under yellow.

However, Justin Carroll, crew member for Heafner says his driver was forced into the inside lane choice, a lap early.

“You don’t get to choose until the one to go signal,” Carroll told Short track Scene.

He added, “They gave us the two-to-go signal and we stayed to the outside of it. Johnson tried to drive to our outside and before the red flagged the race, Justin drove into Jacob’s left-side door for no reason and killed it.”

When the green dropped, they raced like hell for the lead. However, Heafner was sent out of the groove. He finished 6th as a result. Johnson went to the front stretch after the finish.

Front stretch fight

Carroll’s team, with driver Jacob Heafner approached Johnson on the front stretch after the race. It led to hands being thrown and the driver wrestled them to the ground.

“I honestly don’t know what the fussing and fighting was about,” Johnson said. “It’s embarrassing to be a part of but we were on the frontstretch in victory lane and got rushed by five or six people. I though it was over, but our tires got slashed and then they came at us again.”

That video can be seen below, but the night is far from over…

Second altercation at Tri-County Speedway

They’re weren’t done…

Both teams made it back to the infield pit area. That when Johnson says tires of his hauler were slashed.

“Security we need you down here again,” the track announcer stated over the PA system.

The two race teams then came together once again, this time in the infield pit area. Multiple men appeared to come at Justin Johnson, at once.

Johnson used a torque wrench in response. One swipe and most of the men backed up, initially. One crew member was not phased by the weapon, he walked directly toward Johnson and was then met with the weapon.

Johnson stated that the wrench was used in self-defense. He noted that some crew members through parts at him leading up to that.

As the pile of men grew, a woman surfaces in the video. As she stood over the pile of people, she repeatedly swung a separate torque wrench. One of those blows struck Carroll’s father.

Carroll’s father needed stitches after the altercation.

Reflection from both sides

The two have some previous history. Johnson and Carroll formerly had a partnership in 2018. They traded words after Johnson came in contact with Kaden Honeycutt earlier this year.

“I never wanted this to start,” Carroll said. “Time and time again, he has run into my cars and we’re tired of it. You can only be pushed around so long before enough is enough. What happened is inexcusable and should have never happened.”

“This was embarrassing for our partners and supporters,” Johnson said. “I wish there was a way to avoid it but you just can’t turn and run the other way when victory lane and your pits get bum-rushed.”

Police cars and an ambulance were at the scene after the altercation. At least one left the track in the back of the police car.

Tri-County Speedway Fight

The video of the second altercation can be seen below…

Links

Justin Johnson Racing | Jacob Heafner | Tri-County Speedway

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