A dangerous incident at I-75 Raceway over the weekend led to the arrest and a multi-year suspension of dirt late model driver Greg Martin, who intentionally rammed another car in the pits, injuring two crew members.
The Best Plumber 604 Racing Series, a regional dirt late model circuit, was holding its season opener on Saturday night at the Tennessee track when the altercation occurred. During the feature race, Greg Martin and Matt Henderson collided, with Martin clearly upset. After Henderson’s car was parked for service in the pit area, Martin drove his own vehicle into the side of Henderson’s car at low speed. Two crew members standing on the opposite side were knocked to the ground by the impact. One suffered bruised ribs and other injuries.
Martin was immediately disqualified and barred from further participation in the weekend’s events. The 51-year-old driver was also arrested and charged with aggravated assault. In addition, the series suspended him for a minimum of two years.
“Driver and crew safety is of the utmost importance to the Best Plumber 604 Racing Series,” series officials said in a statement. “All participants are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that protects the safety of competitors, crews, officials, fans and partner tracks.” The series vowed to “continue to uphold the standards of conduct expected at all series events.”
Henderson addressed the incident on Facebook, explaining the on-track contact that prompted Martin’s retaliation. “I bottomed out and hit Greg getting into turn one 3 laps after a restart. We had run door to door for 3 laps so if my intention was to wreck him I wouldn’t have waited to do it for 3 laps. We hit as I bounced through the holes and it wrecked us. I hate that. Would rather have just got me. If Greg wanted to fight me or tell me how unhappy he was or anything to that degree I’d have understood it. No one wants that. So I get it. When he chose to use his race car to hit mine in a crowded pit area and injured people, that I can’t understand. That is not something that should ever happen.”
He continued, “I apologize to my team for everything that happened. I hate mine and Greg’s car was torn up in the on track stuff and then further once he rammed them together in the pit area. I am not asking for support of the on track incident or anyone to think that I blame him for that. I bottomed out and caused that accident. The running through the pits speeding to hit a car and assaulting guys with race cars has to be a hard line in the sand that we don’t allow to get crossed. Thankfully no one was injured far worse. Stuff like that can head a completely different direction rather we mean for it to or not.”
The incident has sparked widespread condemnation from racing officials and fans, underscoring the importance of maintaining safety standards in the pits. Authorities continue to investigate the assault charges, and the series has made clear that such behavior will not be tolerated.