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Lepage apologizes for sparking Talladega Nationwide Series crash
By Lee Montgomery - Associate Editor
Monday, April 28, 2008
Nationwide Series driver Kevin Lepage issued a statement apologizing for causing a 15-car accident in Saturday’s Aaron’s 312 at Talladega.
Lepage was coming out of the pits with 47 laps to go when he tried to blend in with the leaders as they raced toward Turn 1. Initially, Lepage said it wasn’t his fault, pointing out that some leaders passed him before the accident began.
But Sunday, he took responsibility.
“[On] Saturday afternoon every racer’s concern was realized, as I caused ‘the big one,’” Lepage said in a statement released by his team, Specialty Racing. “After reviewing the tapes of the accident I realize I need to apologize to NASCAR, the car owners, my fellow competitors and, most importantly, the fans.
“I made a huge driver error by blending onto the race track in the wrong area. This caused a multicar accident and changed the outcome of the race for many teams. I’m so thankful that no one was hurt considering the number of cars involved.”
Lepage said it was the “biggest mistake he’s ever made in over 25 years of racing.
“And I promise that it will not happen again. It is such a terrible feeling knowing that NASCAR, the car owners, fellow competitors and NASCAR fans think this was a ‘bonehead’ move, and I certainly don’t want anyone thinking of me in these terms.
“Speaking yesterday before reviewing the tapes of the accident made me look like a ‘heel,’ and there is not a single person to blame for this huge mistake except myself.
“I have worked very hard over the years to gain the respect of NASCAR, the owners, competitors and the fans, and it will take a long time to gain it back after what happened.”
Lepage said if he could do it over, he would let the leaders by before blending on to the track.
Mentioned Drivers:
2009 Sprint Cup Race for the Chase Standings
Driver Standings after the Checker O'Reilly Auto Parts 500
| 1 | Jimmie Johnson | 6492 |
| 2 | Mark Martin | -108 |
| 3 | Jeff Gordon | -169 |
| 4 | Kurt Busch | -211 |
| 5 | Tony Stewart | -285 |
| 6 | Juan Pablo Montoya | -289 |
| 7 | Greg Biffle | -321 |
| 8 | Denny Hamlin | -352 |
| 9 | Ryan Newman | -411 |
| 10 | Kasey Kahne | -476 |
| 11 | Carl Edwards | -520 |
| 12 | Brian Vickers | -666 |
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Comments
9 responses to "Lepage apologizes for sparking Talladega Nationwide Series crash". Post a Comment.
Anonymous said:
Apr 28, 2008 at 3:30 PMgood apology by KEVIN this guy has always been a first class racer
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» Confirm Abuse ReportKEN STRONG said:
Apr 28, 2008 at 4:01 PMLepage needs to have his Pro License REVOKED for not having any common sense.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBridget Rohrer said:
Apr 28, 2008 at 4:27 PMLepage doesn't need to have his license revoked, but he certainly needs to learn from his mistake. He gave a first class apology and I respect him for that. If only he had shut his mouth on TV Saturday, it would have even been better. But he corrected that in his apology also. Kevin put it behind you and move on.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportHarvey Cunningham said:
Apr 28, 2008 at 7:53 PMThanks, Kevin, for stepping up and taking the blame. I appreciate that. Now, as fans of NASCAR, let's move on. we can't change anything that happened.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDiane Kay said:
Apr 28, 2008 at 8:45 PMI think Kevin's apology is sincere and I appreciate that he took the time to reach out to the fans as well as his fellow drivers. But... I feel he should be penalized by NASCAR for the gross error he committed. Someone could have been killed and it wasn't a racing incident. Drivers get penalized for a lot less.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportMike Maynard said:
Apr 28, 2008 at 10:51 PMHe did have the opportunity to review the replay before he made his comments. Any respect I had is now gone.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportRooth Smith said:
May 1, 2008 at 1:16 AMNeed to hear him say it. This read as if it was written by a speach writer hired to make sure he said the right thing. Print has no emotion. His spoken words after the race did, still ring in my ears. He was an idiot.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportCharles OBrien said:
May 2, 2008 at 7:35 AMPerhaps if Kevin paid the bill for the more than $1.5 Million in damage he caused we could take him as sincere. Old washed up guys like this need to give it a rest and realize their careers are over. Call it a day Kevin.
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» Confirm Abuse Reportkevin brady said:
May 2, 2008 at 5:20 PMWhat bothers me the most about what Kevin said on Saturday, was that He insisted that Nascar said in the drivers meeting to enter the track at turn one. Aparrently He has been sleeping through the meetings.He also claimed that the 200 mph feild should have seen Him coming ( at perhaps 75 mph ) because his car color scheme was so bright. He should definatly be penalized. Blameing the feild shows what an arogant idiot he really is. Can't NASCAR require morons like Him to take a test after the drivers meetings ( like the DMV does ) before they let him out on the track?????
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