Fence climbing NASCAR fan apologizes, wanted to be on TV for his birthday

A fan is seen on the fence at Richmond International Raceway Saturday night.YouTube
A fan is seen on the fence at Richmond International Raceway Saturday night.YouTube
A fan is seen on the fence at Richmond International Raceway Saturday night.YouTube

The 53-year old man who climbed to the top of a catch fence during the NASCAR Sprint Cup series Federated Auto Parts 400 Saturday night apologized Monday as he left court.  Henrico County police identified the man as James Richard Dennis of Henrico.  Dennis climbed the fence over turn 4 Saturday night at about lap 331 of the 400-lap event.  The race had to be put under caution while law enforcement and track personnel coaxed Dennis down and took him into custody.

Henrico police Lt. Scott Jones told the Richmond Times Dispatch that Dennis told officers he wanted to be on national TV for his birthday which was Saturday. The race was broadcast nationally on ABC.  Monday Dennis appeared in court. He was instructed by his lawyer not to speak with the media but did conduct a brief interview after leaving court.

“I am deeply in regret of what I did. I want to apologize to everyone. It was just stupid,” Dennis told WTVR-Richmond. MORE>>>

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.