NASCAR had its roots in dirt track racing, and over the years, the number of dirt tracks on the calendar has become slimmer until they completely disappeared after 2023. However, certain aspects have also become extinct.
Ever since, there have been several debates in the NASCAR community about the revival of dirt tracks. However, when fans saw a rather odd turn of events at a dirt race, they reconsidered their stance, with many urging a permanent ban on the racer.
What Happened at Friday’s Late-Model Race at the Farmer City Raceway?
The incident occurred in a late-model dirt race at the Farmer City Raceway. The 1/4th-mile dirt track in Illinois was home to the MARS Late Model Championship on Friday, and driver Bob Gardner’s actions stunned race fans everywhere.
Gardner started the race on the pole and was running for the most part. Midway through the race, when Gardner was on the frontline and the field approached turn 3, his contemporary, Daryn Klein drove deep and ended up the rear of his car with Gardner’s No. 4.
Following this, Gardner’s car stopped on the infield until he turned and drove on the wrong side, which broke the momentum of other drivers on the field. Though the caution was out, the cars lapped the track, and Gardner led the party by rejoining from the back stretch.
However, when he pulled up next to Klein, he slowed to make slight contact with the No. 10 car. However, Klein tried to accelerate to get past him, and Gardner made contact with the side of his vehicle, causing the No. 10 car to flip and land on the roof.
After the officials safely removed Klein from the car, he and Gardner were absent from the contest for the rest of it.
How NASCAR Fans Reacted to the Absurd Turn of Events at Illinois
When FloRacing uploaded a clip of the incident, it instantly became viral and drew some fiery responses from racing fans, including NASCAR icon Kenny Wallace.
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The former driver reposted the video on his X handle and captioned it, “This is when you truly lose concept of brain function”
This is when you truly lose concept of brain function https://t.co/hIe1a2xRUx
— Kenny Wallace (@Kenny_Wallace) July 19, 2025
As the footage reached more fans, it drew all sorts of responses, with one X user demanding instant disqualification. They wrote, “Automatic disqualification, no question.”
Automatic disqualification no question
— Mark Kriegsies (@MarkKriegsies) July 19, 2025
Another user urged for a ban and said, “Someone look up the entry list for the night and ban that guy. Well, kick his a** first, then ban him.”
Someone look up the entry list for the night and ban that guy. Well kick his ass first, then ban him.
— Tigerjunky (@tigerjunky993) July 19, 2025
A fan who saw the absurd video from the race at Farmer City Raceway, mistook it for a clip from a video game.
I thought this was a video game lol
— Dog Father (@briansam2444) July 19, 2025
A non-racing fan who was startled by how quickly things escalated between the two drivers wondered what legal implications Gardner’s actions could invite. “Damn! (I know nothing about racing, so go easy.) Besides most likely being banned from that track, are there possible legal repercussions that could come from this? ” they asked.
Damn! (I know nothing about racing so go easy) Besides most likely being banned from that track, are there possible legal repercussions that could come from this..?
— Brady (@Slix_og_onttv) July 19, 2025
The ban suggestions for Gardner kept coming, with another user writing, “Lifetime ban.”
