THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 14, 1996 TAG: 9608140495
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: 48 lines
Late Model Stock driver Tony Edwards of Franklin has been stripped of his lead in the division's point standings and suspended for two weeks because of his actions in last Saturday night's race at Southampton Speedway, promoter Jim Randall said Tuesday.
With only nine races remaining, the penalties virtually put Edwards out of contention for the championship.
Edwards was disqualified from the 30-lap feature for allegedly bumping into race leader Speck Edwards (no relation) and causing him to spin out.
The Edwardses have been involved in several bumping incidents the last two years and both were on probation following previous suspensions. Tony had been suspended one week previously and Speck was coming off a two-race suspension last Saturday.
Tony Edwards was following Speck Edwards closely last Saturday when the drivers made contact off the fourth turn on the seventh lap. Tony maintained that Speck slammed on the brakes to cause minor contact and then turned his car into the infield in hopes of getting his rival ejected from the race.
Speck Edwards denied forcing the contact.
Flagman Larry Scaggs immediately blacked-flagged Tony Edwards from the race after seeing Speck Edwards harmlessly spin through the infield.
Tony Edwards angrily spun his car under the flagstand to protest, and spun again before leaving the track. He and members of his pit crew continued to protest to officials after Tony climbed from his car.
Randall said the suspension resulted from Edwards spinning the car and his subsequent behavior.
``If he felt he had a complaint, he knew what the procedure was,'' Randall said. ``He could have talked to officials after the race.''
Randall admitted that track officials had held a private meeting with Speck Edwards and his sponsors two days before the race and outlined terms of the probation. He did not have a similar meeting with Tony Edwards, Randall said.
Tony Edwards said he has been treated unfairly by track officials all season.
Speck Edwards was suspended for two weeks last month for putting Tony Edwards into the wall. Without explanation, the track suspended Tony Edwards for one week.
Tony Edwards, a six-race winner, moved back on top of the championship standings when he returned from his suspension.
R.B. Jones, a non-winner this season, inherited the lead when track officials decided to strip Edwards of points earned in last week's race.
Speck Edwards is second, three points behind, and Tony Edwards is third, seven points back. by CNB