THOMPSON – On Aug. 19, 2010, Rick Blanchard’s racing career at Thompson International Speedway essentially came to an end at the hands of a group of competitors and crew members who savagely attacked him following a Mini Stock feature at track.
Rick Blanchard on Aug. 19, 2010 after being attacked at the track
This weekend two of the individuals who were part of the gang assault on Blanchard that night at Thompson returned to the track as competitors.
Scott Michalski of Killingly and Trevor Michalski of Killingly were back in competition in the Mini Stock division at Thompson Speedway this weekend after having an indefinite suspension against them lifted during the offseason.
Scott Michalski and Trevor Michalski were suspended indefinitely by NASCAR four days after they were part of the group that attacked Blanchard at the track. Also suspended indefinitely by NASCAR after the incident were former Mini Stock division drivers Fred Michalski of Dayville and Scott Jassaume of Danielson.
Ben Dodge, special advisor at Thompson Speedway, confirmed that NASCAR lifted the indefinite suspensions against Scott Michalski and Trevor Michalski.
“I’m shocked,” Blanchard said Sunday by phone. “The race track had told me that they didn’t care what NASCAR did, that those guys would never set foot inside Thompson Speedway much less ever race there again. They were not supposed be allowed there ever again. That’s what I was told and promised by the officials at Thompson after everything happened.”
Said Dodge: “NASCAR reinstated them. Jerry Cook from NASCAR spoke with [track owner Donald Hoenig] and Donald said if NASCAR wants to reinstate them, they’ve been out all this period of time and so forth, they are on permanent probation for wherever they run in NASCAR. The least little thing or anything else they’re going to throw them out.”
Jonathan Hoenig, director of marketing at the track and grandson of track owner Don Hoenig said track officials reviewed the situation and made the decision that they would allow Scott Michalski and Trevor Michalski to return.
“The decision to let them come back, I want to keep it simple,” Jonathan Hoenig said. “A year and a half went by. NASCAR made the decision to lift the ban on them. We reviewed everything and decided to put them on probation. … We did sit down and review it and discuss everything. Really, they’re on probation. If the slightest thing happens they’ll be back to where they started.”
Blanchard, who sold his racing equipment after the 2010 season and hasn’t competed since, said he has been in therapy for medical issues because of the attack since it happened.
“How come Jerry Cook from NASCAR didn’t call me and ask me how I feel about this?” Blanchard said. “So they listened to what the Michalski’s had to say but they didn’t find out what they victim of their actions had to say? NASCAR has never called me, nobody from NASCAR ever contacted me or asked me how I was doing physically or otherwise. To this day, I go every week for therapy for vertigo and for misalignment of my spine because of what happened that night. I have therapy every week to this day because of what Scott and Trevor did to me that night. And those guys are back there racing? They got suspended basically for a year and I’m still suffering from what they did to me?
“I thought the Hoenig family was better than this. I thought they were telling me the truth when they said those guys would never race there again. They just worry about money. The Michalski’s bring a lot of people to the racetrack. Maggots breed maggots. And they bring all these maggots to the racetrack and hand over their money to the Hoenig’s. I am beside myself that they’re letting them come back and race. I am shocked. It’s the Hoenig family’s decision, it doesn’t matter what NASCAR says. If Thompson Speedway wants to decide if they’re going to allow somebody on their property or not, it’s not up to NASCAR.”
The cars of Scott Michalski (51) and Trevor Michalski (52) parked in the pits at Thompson Sunday
Dodge said part of the reason Scott Michalski and Trevor Michalski were reinstated was because Fred Michalski was considered the ringleader of the attack on Blanchard.
Blanchard, of Pascoag, R.I., had issues on the track with Fred Michalski during the running of the Mini Stock feature at Thompson in Aug. 19, 2010. After the race Fred Michalski, Scott Michalski, Trevor Michalski and Scott Jassaume, approached Blanchard while he was alone in his car trailer after the event.
On the night of the attack another competitor in the pits who witnessed the assault confirmed that he saw Blanchard laying on the ground trying to protect himself while Trevor Michalski, 17-years old at the time, kicked Blanchard numerous times in the head. Witnessess said as many as 15 people were involved in the attack on Blanchard.
“Scott and Trevor walked down to my pit with Fred,” Blanchard said. “Fred came after me and I defended myself and then I was jumped by Scott and Trevor. Trevor was kicking me in the head while I was on the ground. They were most certainly a major part of everything that happened.”
Scott Michalski finished second in the 15-lap Mini Stock feature Sunday at Thompson. Trevor Michalski finished 17th of 28 cars in the field.
Asked to respond to Blanchard’s comments Scott Michalski said: “I really have no comment. I’ve been advised not to really talk about the incident. It’s a sore subject with the track. They want to really put it behind them and move forward. I’m back on the scene because I must not have been proved to have maliciously done this act. … God bless him, have a good life.”
—————————————————————
—- Follow The Backstretch at Facebook
—- Follow The Backstretch on Twitter
—————————————————————
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
37 Responses to Thompson Speedway Beating Victim Shocked By Decision Let Attackers Return To Competition
Leave a Reply
- -- ADVERTISEMENT --
- -- ADVERTISEMENT --
its ashame this track is one of the best around and the owners keep copping out. these guys are thugs. you just opened the door to i can assault somebody at thompson ,then i can race agan . you guys should be embarrest,
I’m surprised you’re not leading the outcries. What they did was unconscionable and they should not be allowed to race. Why no blog about the unjust?? Is money that important. If he was being kicked in the head, that is attempted murder, no matter what NASCAR says. I for one will not give Thompson 1 cent.
Art,
It’s a news story not a column. Trying to cover the event and the goings on right now and really don’t have time to sit down and write an opinion. Most likely will later.
I think it’s pretty discusting that these guys are allowed to race anywhere for that matter!! I hope at least he’s suing for his injury’s, and these guys are dangerous and it prob will happen again, I think the track owner should put someone’s life changing attack before $ !! I really don’t think if those jackasses were never to race at Thompson again would put them in the poor house. Shame on everyone involved that allowed them back on track !!
I cannot believe this mans lawyer has not told him to say nothing. We will do our talking in court.
If he does not have a lawyer that could be proof the beating did very serious brain damage.
This is just one of the many reasons local racing will soon be a thing of the past. This decision is evidence that the back gate and the people these thugs bring in are more important than having some integrity. If they told told the victim that they would not be allowed back, they need to honor it. I hope the victim took legal action against the track. Seeing how their actions indicate greed, a hit in the pock
et book would be most appropriate.
The track is desperate for cars and fans and everyone knows it. This was all about money. Its a shame that Thompson has to sellout like this to make a buck. My money stayed in my pocket today. I haven’t been to the Thompson since I read about this incident. It left a bad taste in my mouth. Doesn’t say much about their track security either.
Does anybody really think that nascar gives a crap about what goes on in the mini stock division at Thompson? The blame should be put on Thompson only. What a joke.
I hope you were just as sick writing this piece as I was reading it.
did anyone that has commented see what happened. i did not think so. i did and it was nothing like what everyone is saying. how can u comment on something u just read about and did not witness.
well what really happened??
If this was something that happened at Riverside Park Speedway, those punks would of been sent a message…Your not welcome here! The Riverside “family” would of made the dicision…..not NASCAR. Anyone that coused trouble at the “park” never came back.
Well lets hear the truth then if what Shawn reported is wrong.
Im sure some type of money from a lawsuit would make him feel alot better
Hey thumper I was there that night and it was all that and more. Let’s not forget that before the Rick Blanchard incident Scott threw a jack stand at Chad and thankfully it hit the car and not Chad. Personally I like the Hoenigs and the track but this decision to allow them back is just wrong, it will only be a matter of time before there is another issue with them and I am speaking from past experience with them, you can not change a leopards spots.
Purely outrageous they were not just let back in to the track, but allowed on to it to race!
So, then we hear this loser’s (he didn’t win the race, so he technically is a LOSER, right) comment of “… I’m back on the scene because I must not have been proved to have maliciously done this act.”
Oh, I’m pretty sure you committed the act with malice. Let’s go to the police report, shall we?
Don, show your grandson Jonathan what the right thing to do is here. Boot these guys.
Show me you have the grapes to make the decision, and i’ll applaud it right here.
Until you do? I’ll do the American thing and make a choice to take my money to a different track, and will slam this track’s management and ownership in print any chance I can.
You are on the clock….
the truth is that Rick Blanchard assaulted Fred Michalski, leave the rest of the peolpe who went to stop the bull alone. Rick has been trouble at that track for years. Move on buddy
People are finally seeing who the real problem is here.MR RICK BLANCHARD!!! Several problems with him at the track!!!! I saw Rick go crazy and smash into the Michalskis pit area with his car sending toolboxes and tools flying. I was parked right there and saw Rick do this,and so did the whelan officials, I have pictures of this. He could have killed someone???? Hello!!! Is anybody listening????
Unbelievable! I did witness this incident and was with the other crew that ran to help Richard (who I personally did not know) but did see him on the ground being kicked, punched, assaulted in a very bad way by many people (male + female)! Not only were they ganging up on him, they were beating on his car! It was horrible what they did to him!!! I have not and will not return to Thompson (especially now). I used to look forward to going on Thursday nights to see my favorite driver race but he no longer races there either so I’m glad! Best of luck to you Richard, I hope you get through everything and as far as Thompson and there deciision goes…So sad! You should be ashamed of yourself!
So, racer, it’s ok for a large group of people to gang up on someone? If you need a group of people to back you up in a fight, you’re a coward. Fred Michalski and his family are cowards. Every last one of them. If you can’t face someone like a man on your own, don’t bother. Every track has a family like this. One thing Ernie Saxton has said that I agree with is that if you’re banned from one track, other tracks in the area should uphold that penalty as well.
This should surprise nobody. Sorry to burst Carlon’s bubble but the people who make the key decisions at Thompson are the same people that were in place at The Park. NASCAR could give a rat’s tail less about Thompson Speedway, all they care about is collecting those license fees. Don’t blame NASCAR for this one. Whatever action the home track takes overrides the NASCAR rule book and it’s hundreds of disclaimers. These lowlifes should have been banned permanently from the Thompson grounds. Joe Coates will be the next one back. Waterford threw his butt out permanently at least 15 years ago and of course all the bad apples show up at Thompson. It’s always been about the buck with the Hoenigs and that will ultimately destroy their program. Forget the big shows because they will have an empty pit area again for their regular race nights. Blanchard should have a lawsuit in place against both the Michalskis and the speedway, the decision makers at Thompson should find another hobby, the pit area should be empty which it will be, and the Michalskis should be in jail. Glad I spent the day home.
For Richard Blanchard,I have a video from the track from the week after August 19th 2010 ,you say you were so badley hurt??? but raced your car???? If I remember correctly you were acting crazy out on the track like you always have when things dont go your way, and you were parked that night. somehow someone let you run the feature. You keep showing your true colors. To Scott and Trever, It was great racing with you again.
Hey Jehovah, Joey Coates was racing today too!
No, that was Allen Coates. If there were good seeds and bad seeds in sibling-ville, Allen would be the good one. From what I remember, he was never into the public nudity thing. Just likes to race.
Oops, my bad! Sorry.
Scott and Trevor Michalski should not be allowed to watch the races at Thompson, let alone be on the track in anything. They’re not fit to sweep the speedy-dry!
People, it’s all about the money. It’s always about the money. Do you realize the increase in admission was bogus? This “new” tax has been in effect since the late 1980′s. I believe around 1988. The track took more money for less racing.
When was the last time you saw Icebreaker end by 5:30PM on a warm, cloudy day without rain or snow? Only 29 Mod Tour cars? The call at the end was pathetic. Please, Chad Little, find another hobby, this isn’t your calling. I sure hope someone posts the finish on YouTube, because I got the sneaky suspicion that the track video will be edited. Just something that was overheard, hmmmm.
Allen Coates did a nice job racing in the 55. I’m pretty sure he’ll continue to keep his pants on too! Nothing like the banned brother.
Really, I’m thinking I’ll try Waterford. The price is more reasonable and at least I know what to expect there. Bad behavior is a given. Stafford will be the next quest in search of entertaining racing. Too bad the Tour will be there. Wonder who their pick will be for that race?
Is it a promise that Monahan only raced Icebreaker and won’t be back? I was disappointed that he was there.
Maybe I’ll go back to see the Modified Racing Series at Thompson, but not much else unless they get a grip on reality and start giving our money’s worth. The greed is just over the top.
it appears blanchard got some payback with interest.a teams pit is like their house and you know what can happen when you enter someones house uninvited… agree if he was so badly hurt why was he able to race the following weekend(if this is true).I do NOT agree with 3 or 4 on 1 however.they are apparently on probation (in the pits).what was the outcome in court? we they charged with assault? did blanchard press charges? did blanchard sue?? .as long as there has been local racing there has been fighting in the pits. granted this escalated to another level however the only way to solve the problem is a zero toleance policy.again the teams involved forfit all monies,points,track priveledges etc should they engage in violent behavior.forget NASCAR their enforcement of rules is a joke. the other problem however is the on track back and forth agression that has permiated thompson. surely the inability of track officials to stem THAT problem allowed the off track/pit issue to occur and or escalate.no crew member should feel obligated to “defend” his or her driver in a physial confrontation no matter what the circumstances.get the on track stuff ironed out and the rest should follow.I will say this allowing almost anyone into the pits IS all about money.if you don`t want to risk getting hurt stay out of the pits and off the track.
Warren, Blanchard did not enter Michalski’s pit, they entered his, while he was alone.
tom.. read my post.I am not condoning or cheering the michalski`s. I stated 3 or 4 on one is not fair.. second it was stated by another poster that blanchard drove his car into the machalski pit intentionally during an earlier confrontation causing damage.it was fortunate no one was hurt during that total loss of common sense.this sounds like the seeds of this whole incident right or wrong.this fued was simmering and finally boiled over. the guy got beat down by several individuals who obviously are not capable of settling a dispute mono a mono. its over.they were punished and have been allowed back at the track. blanchard has or had several options to deal with the aftermath of the beatdown and hopefully the legal system worked for him.stand by my statement.the racing surface and the pits are dangerous places the track should have done more last season to squelch those issues.if blanchard did in fact drive his car into the micahlski pits as described. he should have had the expectation that the “fued” could escalate.
Warren, you said: “it was stated by another poster that blanchard drove his car into the machalski pit intentionally during an earlier confrontation causing damage.it was fortunate no one was hurt during that total loss of common sense.this sounds like the seeds of this whole incident right or wrong. … if blanchard did in fact drive his car into the micahlski pits as described. he should have had the expectation that the “fued” could escalate.”
Warren, are you saying that because Blanchard allegedly did damage to their equipment previously he should have expected a gang beatdown at his trailer and tit-for-tat in that form is to be be expected in short track racing so these guys should be allowed back? I guess I have a hard time getting past the “You damaged some of our equipment so we can beat you with a crowbar” justice system that you’re saying Blanchard should have expected. I’d hate to be the 13-year old who eggs your house on Halloween, from the sounds of things, you’d think it fair to put a bullet or two in that kid because he got egg yolk on your shutters.
Warren,
I also am not condoning the fact that Blanchard drove his car into Scott’s toolbox/pit stall and I may be wrong but I believe that happened the previous season and Blanchard was suspended for the remainder of the season. What happened last year was inconceivable, that group of thugs should never be allowed on Thompson’s property. I have witnessed many issues between both parties and as Shawn stated no one deserves what happened last year. No doubt that they will be on their best behavior for a while but they will eventually show their true colors again.
Just my opinion
What exactly does a human maggot look like ? Are they poisonous ?
??????????RICHARD BLANCHARD DO YOU REMEMBER WHY YOU HAD TO BUY FRED MICHALSKI A NEW HELMET??????? MANY of us do, remember you reached in Freds car after the race and took his helmet and threw it at him while he was in the car??????? I recall you just missing his head and the helmet smashed on the roll bar. You should have learned, but you kept it going. You cant seem to leave those people alone!!! The Michalskis never had issues with other drivers, I can say I got alot of help and advise from Scott over the years. Happy he is back, cant say the same for you!!! You need to Go back to Rhode Island where you belong.
shawn.. I am saying each back and forth offense between these two gets worse as the info comes out..blanchard used his race car as a weapon in a competitors pits (again if this is true).. you don`t think these mental midgets are not going to retaliate? you have been threatened in the pits yourself right shawn? do you not believe some people are capable of unimaginable violence?.the only way to defuse these situations is to walk away,dont compete,stay out of the pits or call the cops.also I stated 3 or 4 on 1 not fair
This sounds like something that should be settled on a television game show… Let me see if I can get Richard Dawson to come out of retirement to moderate…
The show could be called Trailer Park Gladiators.
Thompson has always been an out of control horror show. Sue the track the gang and nascar. I havent had interest in going there for 10+ yrs