2015 Race 13 - Alberta (Pepsi 225)

Top: Justin Pisani, Kent Grosso, Jack Walter
Flop: Bjorn Brewer, probably the biggest gaffe of the season.

Tommy Ritcher "Furious" With Renesse Racing Teammate

It's not often a driver in front gets taken out by a teammate who is a lap down. That's exactly what happened tonight at Alberta as Bjorn Brewer, subbing for Kody Lachner, merged into Tommy Ritcher, who was leading, on lap 55 in front of the whole field, causing a 16 car pileup entering turn 1. Tommy Ritcher was seen storming off into the garage area after stalling his car in turn 1. Ritcher was eventually recovered and sent away from wherever he was going. We eventually got word from the heated youngster.

"Who in their right mind has the balls to do that?" Ritcher asked, "I mean, the kids good, he's got talent, there's one thing missing, he doesn't think. Either he or his spotter was completely unaware of what was going on and it cost us and a bunch of other teams in result. I can't even begin to tell you how pissed off I am."

When asked if he'd talk to Brewer soon, Ritcher said, "I'm going to dig into the dumb@$$ and put him in his place. I don't care if he's my teammate or not."

The two eventually talked in the AARO hauler, but there were no follow up interviews at this time.

We're still waiting on a post-race from Bjorn Brewer and others. There was also no statement from team owner Roger Renesse.

Richson gets his first top 5 in a long time, Bibson gets 17th after getting collecting in one of the dumbest accidents in recent AERS history

"Feels good to be competitive again! Hell, getting 3rd feels amazing!"

"Got to love it when boneheads affect the outcome of a race, feel bad for everyone who got involved thanks to Brewer's dumb action."

Brewer extremely apologetic to Ritcher, Lester offers small comment on incident

What a way to set yourself up for AERS glory.

With Renesse Racing dealing with Kody Lachner being sidelined for the rest of the season if not permanently, they could have used a good run from Bjorn Brewer, who was called upon to be the first to step in for Lachner. However, after a racing incident with Jalen Scransen (not viewed as such by Jeff Klinger in the race recap), the team had a few doubts as to how their decision was going. By Lap 55, they han all the doubt in the world.

Brewer, whilst being lapped by Tommy Ritcher, who was leading the race in the #2 Best Buy Fusion, approached the slower #34 heading through the tri-oval, Brewer had moved down to the inside before they had caught him, but seemed to try to move up high so Ritcher could have the inside around him and hold the lead and did so way too late as he swept across the front bumper of Ritcher, causing both of them to spin and collect most of the field behind them. Josh Mertz most notably took a few hard hits from both the jutting inside wall and from a few other drivers, but it was believed that he was able to walk away under his own power. No word on that, though.

Ritcher was understandably furious with Brewer for the move and the latter expressed that he was aware.

"I can't begin to tell y'all just how stupid of a decision that was. Well, more like an indecision. I just went somewhere I shouldn't. I thought he could pass left so he could keep the inside and maybe I'd hold them up on the high side just a bit, but he closed and I was movin' up, not thinkin' he'd be going where I wasn't. Before I even thought to move, I was in the way and it's a lesson I damn well won't forget. Huge apologies to Tommy [Ritcher] and all his guys. [I'm] Not sure how badly he wants to f**k me up, but I deserve it at this point. Just... I'm dumbfounded. [I] Didn't think I could be that dumb."

Casey Lester, who came home 13th, had minimal words on the matter. "They'll sort it out between themselves. Tommy has a right to be mad, but it's sad that this is how he's gotta make news."

Despite a broken foot, Mertz climbed out of the #8 Red Bull VW and walked over to Bjorn Brewers' car. As Brewer was getting out without a helmet, Mertz reportedly punched him in the face, then sat on the SAFER barrier and waited for the ambulance.

"My foot hurts but other than that I'm fine. Should be good to go for next race. I can't believe he's even allowed to race after that. I was hoping to make a run for the championship, but we'll see. I hate these tracks.

Lol what are you even mad about Casey

How Mertz is able to walk on a broken left foot and punch someone in the face. I'm pretty sure Brewer would have gotten out of his car far before Mertz if the latter couldn't put any pressure on that foot at all.

I don't think he said he broke his foot, I guess it was simply injured.

Casey you're completely missing the point...

Adrenaline. Because of it you ignore pain

I had too.