Let me go over the events regarding the ban from my view point. Those knowledgeable about the details are free to add or correct this post
I moseyed into the penalty area after the red flag had been out for about a half hour to ask Johnny how the driving has been thus far. When he saw me, it was then I was first told that my car was the cause of the wreck. By that time there were 5 eye-witness accounts that the Maxima “moved-over” on the Cavalier and the result was an injury accident and a totaled car. Soon an account from a 6th witness came forth with essentially the same account – Maxima’s fault. Jay came over to the entire team and said there was some video he was going to review and come back in an hour.
Well I was there 1 hour later and if there is one thing about Jay’s face, it’s easy to read and as he walked over, I could tell he was not a happy camper. He told me the video evidence was “conclusive” our car caused the accident and WE were banned from any future Lemons events. Yes WE, that is me, the car, everyone. I was shocked, nearly speechless. Jay brought up the problems they had with us at Thunderhill, I quickly reminded Jay that the drivers that received the most black-flags and the fatal black-flag at Thunderhill were NOT on the team, that “problem” had been taken care of. As a note, Rick DID receive a black-flag at Thunderhill for being involved in what was essentially an unavoidable multi-car brake lock-up accordion collision. It was so minor that there wasn’t even a scratch and any of the cars. Rick was in the middle of the accordion and all the cars were called-in, not just Rick. So he wasn’t singled out, about 3-4 cars were all black-flagged on that one.
“I understand booting Rick” I said to Jay, “But all of us?” He brought up the point that what IF something should happen again with the “44 Maxima” and it was learned (presumably by injury lawyers) that there were prior “incidents” with the team/car and he let us continue, how would that look? That was about it. The entire team, a lifetime ban. Could it get any worse? HELL YES!! Tyler had a broken neck and their uberfast Cavalier wagon was a pile of twisted metal and at this time I had no reason to doubt that Rick was at fault 100%. My Lemons career consisted of one black-flag free session, my team caused a serious injury accident and I was banned for life.
After I was packed-up and ready to go I saw a clear opportunity to talk with Jay, Johnny and Phil as I was leaving. I pleaded my case again and Jay kept the door a wee bit ajar that if I was NOT a captain and NOT the Maxima I could maybe hook-up with another team as a driver and participate again. I shook all their hands and thanked them all for all their hard work making Lemons what it is.
It continues…..before the event I contracted with Chris Overzet to tow the car back to his shop so he could prep and perhaps even tow/support the car for the Thunderhill event IF we survive Infineon. I drove the car over to the back 40 in the paddock where he was pitted. A question than overcame me, ”Could we be the top vote getter for the People’s Curse and our car be destroyed when we are no longer even in the event?” Well, YES we could and YES we did (apparently). Somehow we were spared but the car was moved to a prominent place in the pits for people to write whatever they wanted on the car with Sharpie pens, which evolved into spray paint. I have not seen the car after this “modifying”. Any pictures from anyone?