Driver Andrew Grady suspended, fined for physical altercation with CARS Tour founder, crew members penalized

Late Model Stock driver Andrew Grady has been suspended for the next three CARS Tour events for getting into a physical confrontation with series founder Jack McNelly this past Saturday at Hickory Motor Speedway.

Grady also received a $1,000 fine, Matt Weaver of Short Track Scene reported. As a result of the suspension, Grady will miss races at North Wilkesboro this Saturday, Ace Speedway on Aug. 9 and Wake County Speedway on Aug. 24.

The altercation between Grady and McNelly occurred after Grady crashed on the backstretch. He first exchanged words Landon Huffman and then a fight broke out around their pit areas. As the fight began, Grady shoved McNelly to the ground.

Gage Painter of Chad Bryant Racing was issued a $500 fine for walking into another team’s pit area to instigate a physical confrontation, according to Weaver. Chris Courtney, a crew member on Grady’s team, was suspended a race and issued a $500 fine for walking into another team’s pit area to instigate a physical confrontation.

Andrew Grady fired up at Landon Huffman after Hickory

Grady had a few choice words for Huffman after the wreck.

“In the words of Denny Hamlin, Landon Huffman, you’re a hack. It’s no wonder you lost your ride with the [No.] 22 [team]. You’re an absolute trash can, bud,” Grady told Frontstretch.com. “I don’t know, what are we doing? We’re 60 laps in, we’re running for 12th. I’m already loose. For God’s sake man, I know we’re racing, I know we’ve got to go, I get it. But when you’ve got me sideways, crack the throttle. That’s a brand new race car, and now that race car is killed. But it’s okay because before he leaves, he’ll know I’m pissed.”

He vowed to stick around the racetrack to have some words with Huffman after the race, which clearly, he did.

“Oh yeah, he and I are going to have a conversation before we leave this racetrack because that was bullsh*t. This is why the CARS Tour has become a problem,” Grady said. “Instead of setting guys up like we used to do back in the day if you can’t pass ’em, wreck ’em. I just don’t understand — were we good? No. Were we decent? Yes. Dude, if you’re that much better than me, turn underneath me and drive by me. Don’t destroy my race car. Too much time, too much effort goes into this for dumb shit like that to happen.”