Clark Houston’s long-awaited victory at Hickory Motor Speedway in the Late Model Stock Twin 40 competition should have been cause for celebration. However, the triumph was overshadowed by a dramatic incident that occurred just before the finish. Racing for third place, Landon Huffman and Annabeth Barnes-Crum found themselves entangled in a sequence of events, escalating the feud between them at the birthplace of several NASCAR stars.
Feud takes a dangerous turn at the Hickory Motor Speedway
As the race entered its final moments, Barnes-Crum and Huffman found themselves battling for third place. However, what should have been a thrilling competition quickly turned into a contentious clash. On the backstretch, contact between the two racers caused Huffman, the defending track champion, to be squeezed into the wall. Seemingly in retaliation, Huffman responded by pushing Barnes-Crum up the track in the next corner.
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In a surprising twist, Barnes-Crum attempted to intentionally crash into Huffman’s car in an effort to seek retribution—that too, under caution. However, her plan backfired, causing her own vehicle to spin out and end up on the front stretch. Under caution, Barnes-Crum took matters into her own hands and deliberately collided with Huffman’s right rear, resulting in both cars in need of heavy repairs.
All because she wrecked herself trying to right rear me.
This has got to stop. pic.twitter.com/g79XKlA4dc
— Landon Huffman (@LandonHuffman) May 21, 2023
The fallout from the incident extended beyond the race itself. A confrontation erupted between the spotters of both drivers, veteran racers Robert Huffman and Jake Crum, in the spotter’s stand. This heated exchange further highlighted the intensity and animosity surrounding the feud between Barnes-Crum and Huffman.
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Following the chaotic events on the track, NASCAR fans took to social media to express their outrage and disappointment. The sentiment among many fans was one of frustration and concern for the sport. NASCAR driver Ryan Vargas expressed his disappointment, stating, “Bottom of the barrel stuff there. Waste of money and resources. Plus, just flat out dangerous.”
Huffman too was severely critical of Barnes-Crum as he posted another tweet, saying that Barnes-Crum had lost “her small mind.”
For anyone wanting to see the initial incident that caused her to lose her small mind https://t.co/saVxPWqmDz
— Landon Huffman (@LandonHuffman) May 21, 2023
Another fellow driver Vincente Salas wrote, “I was right behind this and honestly I’ve never seen anything like it. The stupidity tonight was just…. bruh.”
Journalist and insider Toby Christie called for suspension.
Yeah, this HAS to be a suspension, right? https://t.co/ucVHKFfpyE
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) May 21, 2023
A fan called for severe consequences, saying, “Yep, I would park the driver of that black car for the rest of the season. Deliberate wrecking under caution can’t be allowed to happen.”
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The incident drew attention to the need for swift action and repercussions from the Hickory Motor Speedway officials. A fan remarked, “There is no excuse for this type of behavior on the track. I hope Hickory addresses this ASAP with swift repercussions! There is no room for those who act like her in the sport.”
Others added, “No way they let that car and driver back on the track without some kind of disciplinary action. That’s a quick way to land somebody in the hospital or worse for no reason at all”;
“This deserves a park and fine. The disrespect in racing is ridiculous these days. The Hickory drama continues.”
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The incident between Annabeth Barnes-Crum and Landon Huffman at the Hickory Motor Speedway has raised important questions about sportsmanship and fair competition in NASCAR. As the authorities investigate the matter, it is crucial for the racing community to address the escalating tensions between drivers and enforce strict rules to prevent similar incidents in the future. NASCAR’s commitment to safety, fair play, and respect among competitors should remain paramount, ensuring the sport continues to captivate fans worldwide.