Extracurricular activites

Two Richard Childress Racing crewmen were arrested and charged with misdemeanor assault after an altercation that started during Friday night’s Nationwide Series race continued in the motor home lot outside the track.

Michael Searce, known in the garage as “Big Mike,” and Thomas Costello were charged and released early Saturday morning. Searce was charged with two counts of misdemeanor assault, Costello with one.

RCR driver Brian Scott and Turner Scott Motorsports’ Nelson Piquet Jr. traded shot on the race track before and immediately after the checkered flag in Friday night’s race. After the drivers exited their cars, Piquet shoved Scott and kicked him below the belt.

Turner Scott Motorsports confirmed that the subsequent incident in the motor home lot involved Piquet.

“Turner Scott Motorsports can confirm that an incident occurred near the Driver/Owner parking lot of Richmond International Raceway following the NASCAR Nationwide Series race on Friday, April 26th,” the statement said.

“Several members of another race team (RCR) confronted a group that included Nelson Piquet Jr., resulting in the arrest of two individuals from the other race team. TSM will have no further comment on the incident as the matter is an active case with the Henrico Police Department.”