Stafford Motor Speedway issues penalties for brawl
Aug. 9—STAFFORD — Stafford Motor Speedway officials have reacted quickly to the fight that erupted on the 25th lap between SK Modified drivers Dan Wesson and Steve Kopcik during Friday's SK 5K. As a result, both Wesson and Kopcik will be out of action for a while.
Both drivers have been fined and suspended, while 16 crew members from both teams also were suspended.
The announcement was made Monday on the Stafford website.
The incident took place on lap 25 of the 80-lap race when Wesson and Kopcik's car were involved in an altercation heading into Turn 1. Wesson's car wound up near the fence while Kopcik's car slid to the outside of the track near the infield. Wesson ran out of his car and ran across the track to confront Kopcik. After Wesson moved away, Kopcik chased down Wesson and tackled him. The drivers brawled on the infield and were joined by members of both crews.
Wesson, who initiated the incident, received the harshest penalty. He is suspended indefinitely and is out for the rest of the season. His conduct will be reviewed in January. He also received a $250 fine.
Kopcik was also fined $250 and is suspended for four racing events. He also is banned from the Stafford paddock area for the next two weeks,
Suspended crew members will be banned in some capacity for two weeks. On Wesson's crew, Shannon Wesson, Morgan Wesson, Dan DiMauro Sr., Dan DiMauro Jr., Griffin Wolunsky, Dave Day, Shane Peele and Glen Edwards were penalized. Wolunsky was also hit with a $100 fine
Kopcik crew members Nick Kopcik, Nick Danuszar, Bruce Clark, Archie Paloian, Morgan Danuszar, Nick Romano and Anthony Camerota received two-week layoffs from Kopcik's team.
In an unrelated incident, race winner Marcello Rufrano was fined $100 for his burnout celebration following his win in the SK 5K. Considering he won more than $5,000 Friday for the win, he can afford it.
