Man who climbed fence during NASCAR race at Richmond going to jail
The fan who scaled the catch fencing during the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Richmond in September has been sentenced to jail
A court in Virginia found James Dennis guilty of being drunk in public and disorderly conduct and sentenced him to a year in jail with all but one month suspended.
However, that sentence is likely to be halved under state law due to his crimes being classified as misdemeanours.
Dennis was also fined $100 on each count.
A police officer testified that Dennis had told them that he climbed the fence because it was his birthday and he wanted to be on TV.
According to reports, the nearest security guard was distracted by a fight elsewhere in the crowd and did not notice the 53-year-old approaching the fence.
Race officials were forced to throw a caution until Dennis could be coaxed back down several minutes later.
"We're pleased with today's outcome," said a statement issued by Richmond International Raceway.
"We take the safety of our guests and competitors very seriously. We want our guests to come and have a good experience and not insert themselves into the competition or put themselves or the competitors at risk."
Previous article
Kasey Kahne extends Hendrick NASCAR Sprint Cup deal to 2018
Next article
Vickers to miss start of 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup after heart surgery
About this article
| Series | NASCAR |
| Author | Mark Glendenning |
Why a British prospect is trying to make it in NASCAR
There has never been a full-time British driver in the NASCAR Cup. But Alex Sedgwick, who is rising through the stock car ranks, wants that to change and could be a trailblazer for European talents to reach the top echelons of the NASCAR ladder
How Earnhardt’s death changed American motorsport
It's 20 years since legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Sr died at the Daytona 500, but the legacy of his crash continues today through the pioneering safety work done by NASCAR
The NASCAR subplots to keep an eye on in 2021
This weekend's Daytona 500 kickstarts a NASCAR Cup season that promises plenty of intrigue courtesy of new owners and a refreshed calendar. Here's what you need to know ahead of the new season
How a second-chance NASCAR ace is rebuilding his career
From a disgraced NASCAR exile, Kyle Larson has been given a shot at redemption by the powerhouse Hendrick Motorsports squad. Replacing seven-time champion Jimmie Johnson is no easy billing, but Larson has every intention of repaying the team's faith
Autosport's top 5 NASCAR machines
The American stock car scene is more famous for its close racing and occasional punch-ups, but there have been some fantastic machines too. As part of Autosport's 70th anniversary celebrations in 2020, we picked out five of its best
Why NASCAR's latest second-generation champion is just getting started
Chase Elliott's late charge to the 2020 NASCAR Cup title defied predictions that it would be a Kevin Harvick versus Denny Hamlin showdown. While the two veterans are showing no signs of slowing down, Elliott's triumph was a window into NASCAR's future
Why Johnson’s playoff failure won’t tarnish his legacy
The last season of a retiring NASCAR great has shown promise, and may have resulted in another playoff push without small issues outside his control. 2020 won't be the year Jimmie Johnson would have wanted, but it won't be what he is remembered for
Why a Le Mans winner is heading into the “unknown world” of NASCAR
Comparing Porsche's 919 HYBRID LMP1 to NASCAR is motorsport's equivalent of apples and oranges, but this weekend one of Weissach's top works aces will pit his skills against the regulars and revive the tradition of the 'road-course ringer'
