Sometimes, NASCAR can be a bad-tempered sport, and driver feuds are sometimes frequent. Bubba Wallace can attest to that when he fell prey to the red mist last year in Las Vegas. However, it isn’t just limited to the biggest stage in American motorsport, as it happens all the time in lower tiers as well. During the Southern All-Stars Series dirt race at the Southern Raceway in Florida, there was an ugly incident.
UMM?!? Did Ashton Winger just get arrested at Southern Raceway?
Credit to Josh Hellams on Facebook. pic.twitter.com/ofigUJpPWX
— Jack Cofer (@JackCofer94) March 12, 2023
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As reported by Frontstretch, there was a major conflict between GR Smith and Ashton Winger. Owing to a series of unfortunate events, it all culminated in Winger being led away in cuffs by law enforcement. After watching the series of deliberate on-track collisions, NASCAR must be thankful that even though there are occasional brawls, they rarely escalate. Certainly not to the point where the police are forced to step in and break them up.
What happened between the two drivers to have it end so spectacularly?
It all kicked off when the race began and Smith made hard contact with Winger at Turn 1. At the time, the two were battling for second place, and Winger was not about to take things lying down. He exacted his revenge with a cut-off slide job at turn 4 on the same lap, before slotting ahead. Smith retaliated by driving into Winger at turn 1 on the next lap. He then proceeded to ram into his rival under caution.
If GR got that mad over that. He should stop driving. Worst case, He was in 3rd before he killed his own car. Gotta be some left issues between him and Ashton
— Michael Paschal (@paschalm1963) March 12, 2023
GR can dish it out but can’t take it when it comes back to him. He needs to stay out the car and let Freeman do the driving in both his cars.
— JayTee0099🇺🇸 (@JTee0099) March 12, 2023
Shouldn’t change too many peoples opinions of GR. Seems like something he’d do
— Cory Crapser (@CoryCrapser) March 12, 2023
Lol can’t even take a guy out lol
— keith akenson (@akenson16) March 12, 2023
After the race, an incensed Winger and his father engaged in a brawl with Smith. The primary instigator was the older Winger, and his son soon joined into the fray. All of this unfolded in the pit area and law enforcement stepped in and made arrests. In all, the two Wingers and one of Smith’s crew members, were led away in handcuffs.
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NASCAR fans were not impressed with the post-race antics
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Naturally, not many fans were happy with the ugly scenes playing out. Obviously, people laid some of the blame on Smith’s feet for instigating the on-track drama in the first place. However, they did not absolve Winger of any guilt. They were actually glad that the driver and his father were facing the consequences of their stunt. Even Smith’s crew member was hauled up and had to face the consequences.
Good! If I were to do this I would surely be arrested so why shouldn’t anyone participating in a sporting event!
— Rob Gibson (@CRacin48) March 12, 2023
— 10-4 Creative (@stiggy3_8) March 12, 2023
Dang both went to jail pic.twitter.com/2uwscxUyet
— VegasRaider76 (@Henry18L) March 12, 2023
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Getting arrested for a fight after a race shouldn’t happen unless something happens to take it to that level. Rolling around in the dirt is not taking it to that level. Just gonna encourage guys to tear up a bunch of cars & use them as weapons instead of talking or duking it out.
— brent (@Bdlankford14) March 12, 2023
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Of course, there were some who felt that the arrest was a little excessive. Especially since the brawl seemed a little tame to a few fans and the situation hadn’t escalated too badly. On the other end of the spectrum, the fans were not happy that there were very few repercussions for the on-track tomfoolery.
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