Multiple Suspensions Doled Out After Brawl Erupts At Stafford Motor Speedway

Stephen Kopcik and Dan Wesson via FloRacingCredit: C/O

Stafford Motor Speedway doled out multiple suspensions earlier this month after a brawl erupted during the “SK 5K” SK Modifieds feature.

A little over a quarter into the race, Stephen Kopcik drove it hard down into turn 1 trying to take the third spot. He ends up getting into the grass and appears to lose control of the vehicle when it gets back on the pavement and collects Dan Wesson and Mikey Flynn.

Kopcik’s car then comes down the track after making heavy contact with the outside wall. As he comes down the track he collects a number of other vehicles including Joey Ternullo Jr., Matt Vassar, and Ryan Flores.

Take a look:

Big wreck at “SK 5K” at Stafford Motor Speedway pic.twitter.com/69stJDEeiS

— Rosary Warrior John F Trent (@jftrent) August 17, 2022

Following the wreck, Wesson exited his car and ran across the track to Kopcik’s vehicle and stuck his head down inside his car. It’s unclear what he said to Kopcik or what happened, but Kopcik told RaceDayCT that Wesson spit in his face.

Kopcik then exited his vehicle, bull rushed Wesson, and tackled him to the ground. A little bit of ground and pound appeared to take place and then all hell broke loose as numerous people rushed to the fight from the infield and got in their own fights.

RaceDayCT tweeted, “No truth to the rumor that NFL scouts would like to speak with Stephen Kopcik about a about a job as a free safety. Kopcik told RaceDayCT that Dan Wesson spit in his face which elicited his response.”

Take a look at the tackle and fight:

No truth to the rumor that NFL scouts would like to speak with Stephen Kopcik about a job as a free safety. Kopcik told RaceDayCT that Dan Wesson spit in his face which elicited his response. (Video credit FloRacing). pic.twitter.com/RtYAba1Vyt

— RaceDayCT (@RaceDayCT) August 6, 2022

You can see more of the brawl below. The fight made FloRacing’s COMP Cams Top 5 Moments for the week.

Following the brawl, Stafford Motor Speedway doled out numerous penalties and suspensions.

Dan Wesson was suspended indefinitely for “unsportsmanlike conduct; safety violation; failure to follow directives of Stafford Speedway safety team; Actions detrimental to the sport of auto racing.”

He was also ordered to pay a $250 fine and disqualified from the feature. Stafford Motor Speedway will not review his suspension until January 2023.

The owner of Wesson’s car, Eric Wesson, as well as multiple members of his crew including Shannon Wesson, Morgan Wesson, Mark DiMauro Jr., Griffin Wolunsky, Dave Day, Shane Peele, and Glen Edwards also faced suspensions and fines their involvement in the brawl.

Most of them were suspended for two events. Wolunsky was also fined $100.

Kopcik was suspended for the next four events for “Unsportsmanlike conduct; safety violation; failure to follow directives of Stafford Speedway safety team; Actions detrimental to the sport of auto racing.”

He was also fined $250 and was disqualified from the race.

Members of his crew including Nick Kopcik, Bruce Clark, Archie Paloian, and Anthony Camerota were also punished with their “Stafford license suspended (no infield pitting for weekly competition) for next 2 completed events.”