Controversey Surrounds 2010 Main Event
Ten cautions filled the 2010 AARO AMP Energy Racing Series All Star Event at Mesa Marin, however one particular yellow overshadowed them all.
That would be the final yellow, which flew on lap 64.
Nick Kozoro, on lap 63 took the lead with a three wide pass with Justin Pisani (16) to his inside and Grant Jacobs (40), the current leader, to his outside. As he cleared both cars, the 29 of Ross Lowrey slowed on the front stretch to prepare for what looked like an unscheduled pit stop. The 29 pulled low on the backstretch and dove onto the short access road before pit lane. Suddenly, the Geek Squad Ford shot up the racetrack, pulling in front of the new leader, Nick Kozoro in the 39.
Kozoro slammed into the back of the 29, taking both cars out, and taking several innocent victims with them. Justin Pisani, Kody Lachner (34), Grant Jacobs and Tyson Lautenschlager, to name a few.
Lowrey was disqualified and pulled his car behind the wall during the yellow. The AARO Officials were quick to send him to the black and green truck.
As the driver of the 29 was heading toward the AARO Hauler, Kozoro's crew chief, Joel Newton, attacked Lowrey, visciously throwing him to the ground.
And before you knew it, Kozoro was there to, along with crew members from each team.
Teams took swings at one another with tools, fists, and helmets. The melee lasted 23 minutes, before at least 40 AARO Officials broke up the massive brawl that now included crews from Grant Jacobs and Jack Walter. Blood littered the asphalt and pieces of crew suits lie flat on the ground, along with tools and helmets. So instead of just Lowrey heading to the hauler, the drivers and crew chiefs from the 39, 29, 40 and 66 teams went as well. At least 5 crew members from each team were sent to the infield care center.
But wait, this story is far from over.
Herb Cilantro, before Qualifying, reported on his Face Update page that he saw Jack Walter and Ross Lowrey talking in the garage. Apparently, he wasn't the only one who saw this, as Tyler Deefer reported some bigtime news.
Lowrey and Walter had a deal. The deal was that they'd help eachother to try and get the win. However, after Happy Hour, the deal changed. The deal was now to take out the 39 if he got close to the lead. Why? They think he was cheating, which, if was true, would have been reported in a tech. inspection report.
Lowrey, after being wrecked early in the All Star, knew the 39 was leading on lap 64, so he pretended to "miss" the pits, and merge onto the track, right in front of the AMP Energy Dodge. Lowrey radioed to Walter to go low to inherit the third spot.
After the race, Walter paid Lowrey $500.
Deefer stated that he heard them talking about it after Happy Hour.
"I walked up to ask if they [Lowrey, Walter] had a Kleenex and overheard the situation. This was just before driver intros. I wish I could've said somethin' to the AARO about it before the race started but I can't do anything about it now".
Nick Kozoro was none too happy. "Cheating? Ha! (lols many times) Seriously Jack, get your drunk ass off the alcohol and quit making up $#!@. This is rediculous. When has JN Motorsports EVER cheated? Oh yeah, ZERO TIMES. Quit jumping to conclusions. Now, thanks to you and your boyfriend Ross, we have a piece of junk racecar that we planned to use next weekend at Mansfield. I'm very pissed at this situation and hope the AARO does something to those two teams".
Ross Lowrey also had some kind words of inspiration; "A $500 worth spent. I'm with Jack on this one. The 39 was complete bull$#!@ in the early part of the season and suddenly have been on fire. If AARO decides to do something to us they're complete idiots. Check the damn car aleady, its on airplane fuel for heaven's sake!"
This situation could blow up in a hurry.
The AARO is considering suspensions for both the drivers and crew chiefs of the 29 and 66 teams. More on this story to unfold.
Thu May 09, 2024 12:54 pm by 
