The Tulsa Shootout is a big event drawing in some big racing names worldwide. The 40th annual Smiley’s Racing Products Tulsa Shootout powered by NOS Energy Drink kicked off on New Year’s Eve. NASCAR stars added sparkle to the sprint event with Christopher Bell and Kyle Busch attending and Kyle Larson jetting thousands of miles from Australia to race here. However, not all is as dazzling as these celebrities’ presence in Tulsa.

Anton Hernandez has been a prominent name in sprint racing circles for many years. In 2018, he clinched a Golden Driller at the famed Tulsa Shootout. Standing in 2024, though, Hernandez encountered an unfortunate penalty. Yet he made sure to point out the facts on Twitter.

Star falls prey to Tulsa Shootout fiasco

The pomp and grandeur associated with this event have been unparalleled. Currently, 1,855 entries have registered for the Tulsa Shootout, among whom 762 drivers are from 438 cities and five countries. These are the USA, Australia, Netherlands, South Africa, and the UK. They are driving a total of 1,015 cars. However, a star driver faced an unfortunate consequence. While T.J. Smith rolled from 6th to grab a Heat Race victory, a turn of events hit the late stages of the same event. And driver Anton Hernandez, a native of Texas, got involved in it.

Car owner Buddy Lee refused the engine of the No. 25A car to be teched following the 24th Heat Race. The car was one of four randomly teched during the evening after being allowed to cool down. Tulsa Shootout’s official X handle posted the update on Hernandez’s No. 25A car penalty. “UPDATE >> Post Race Tech after Race 23 found the No. 25A driven by Anton Hernandez using an illegal engine. He has been disqualified and is done for the event.

However, Hernandez protested in response. He clarified the car he was driving was not his, and that it was given to him for racing. “I want to make things clear. I am just the driver of the car. I was given an opportunity to drive. We got randomly checked and the car owner said he didn’t want the engine touched. With that being said, we will focus on the non-wing car I own for the rest of the weekend.”

Accordingly, Tulsa Shootout officials confirmed the situation and could allow Hernandez to return to track with his own equipment. He will get to race with his NASCAR compatriots.

This is neither the first time Tulsa saw DQs nor the first time Hernandez felt he became the scapegoat. What is important is that he got through it.

Hernandez has shown resilience before

1

NASCAR’s Underhanded Antics to Fool The Public Revealed By Disgraced Driver

2

Daytona 500: 65-YO NASCAR Driver to Make Cup Series Return After a Decade

3

Bubba Wallace’s Two-Word Declaration for His Partner of Nearly 15 Years Leaves His Fans in Stitches

4

Rumor: Struggling Cup Series Driver to Lose His NASCAR Seat in 2025

5

Kyle Busch’s 2-YO Daughter Gains Celebrity Status as Son Brexton Shakes Up Tulsa Shootout

Well, the Tulsa Shootout event has witnessed DQs before. In 2019, officials conducted a testing of Jeffrey Daniels’ No. 81D and his right rear tire failed the test. In the same year, they disqualified five drivers after testing for illegal fuel. Now Anton Hernandez fell prey to an unfortunate set of circumstances.

Yet, the sprint car ace is used for rough and tough conditions. After clinching the POWRI West midget championship in 2015 and a Golden Driller in 2018, his career faced a dead end. From 2020 onwards, rides slipped through his fingers, right at the cusp of his USAC career. Hernandez scrambled for avenues of survival until USAC team owners Kenny and Margo Baldwin showed faith in him for the annual Eastern Storm series.

In June 2023, Hernandez reflected on his painful struggles to reach the top of sprint car racing. “I can’t say too much and bash anyone. and there is no room for me to do that. It is just that sometimes I feel I get taken advantage of. Some of it could be me too. I’m still growing up, and there is some growing up that I must do. That is true with nearly everyone. I know the racing world can be brutal. It is very cut-throat. Things happen, and you just have to grit your teeth and move on.” 

He even worked for drivers, Emerson Axsom and Zach Hampton, to make ends meet. Hernandez continued, “I work hard because I love racing. I am willing to work 80 to 90 hours a week just to be able to do it.”

Evidently, the sprint car racer has the will to survive in tough situations. Hopefully, Hernandez will run well despite the Tulsa Shootout setback.