5 "How Embarrassing" moments in Auto Racing

5 "How Embarrassing" moments in Auto

By Brian H Cotnoir

In racing sometimes it's better to be lucky than good.   When you're really unlucky, it tends to be more noticeable (especially on television).  Here are five moments that drivers experienced on track that'll make you say "How Embarrassing"

1.)  Mike Borkowski is sued by his sponsor

Speed costs money.  A big-name sponsor can make or break a driver's career.  We've seen drivers' careers come to screeching halt due to lack of sponsorship or the end of a sponsorship deal, but what would happen if you're on-track performance was so bad that your sponsor decided to sue you?  That's exactly what happened to driver Mike Borkowski.

Mike Borkowski 

You'd be forgiven for not remembering or recognizing the name Mike Borkowski.   Before racing in NASCAR, Borkowski had a successful racing career in Sports Cars.  He won four different titles in the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA).  In 1999, Borkowski made his debut in the NASCAR Busch Series for Bill Davis Racing.  In his only start that season at Memphis Motorsports Park, he finished 32nd place.  The following season he was set to drive full-time for Bill Davis Racing with sponsorship from AT&T.  Borkowski finished 40th or worst in four of the eight races he ran that season.  His best finish was a 10th place at Talladega.  Following a 21st place finish at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Borkowski was fired by Bill Davis Racing.   Borkowski's sponsor AT&T then sued Borkowski for $600,000 for "tarnishing the brand's image".   

2.)  Taki Inoue taken out by Safety Car

Former Japanese F1 driver, Taki Inoue once self-proclaimed himself as the "Worst Driver in Formula One".  In his career he retired in 13-out-of-18 career starts.  His most embarrassing race retirement happened during the 1995 Hungarian Grand Prix.  After Inoue pulled off the circuit following engine troubles, he rushed to grab a fire extinguisher to help the track marshals extinguish the flames coming out of the back of his car.  As Inoue attempted to return to his car, he was struck by safety vehicle and knocked over.   Inoue fell to the ground in pain but suffered minor injuries.  Inoue would compete in the next round in Belgium.   

3.)  Roberto Guerrero wrecks on the Parade lap of the Indy 500

Roberto Guerrero was a two-time runner-up of the prestigious Indy 500.   In 1992, Guerrero looked like the favorite to win the race.  He sat on pole with a then track record speed of 232.482 MPH.   However, the good times for Guerrero would be short lived.  The day of the race was an unusually cold day at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, during the parade lap as Guererro attempted to warm up his tires he spun out on the back stretch and slapped the inside of the wall.   The damage to Guerrero's car was terminal and he finished dead last in 33rd position haven't run a single lap under green. 

The only green Guererro would see that day is on his car

4.)  Justin Allgaier runs out of a fuel under caution on the last lap

In 2011, the NASCAR Nationwide Series made it's second stop at the Road America Road Course in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin.   The races original distance of 50 laps was extended to 57 laps after multiple Overtime Restarts were needed to complete the race.  Caution flew once again ending the race after another wreck on the White Flag lap.   At the moment of caution, Justin Allgaier was the race leader.  Allgaier began celebrating and congratulating his team over the radio, when his car began to slow down.  Road America is just over 4 miles in length, and after multiple over-time restarts Allgaier had unfortunately ran out of fuel.  His teammate at Turner Motorsports, Reed Sorenson would go on to win the race under caution, while Allgaier would have to settle for a 19th place finish.  Allgaier would get his redemption several seasons later in 2018 when he got his first Win at Road America.

5.)  Jesse Iwuji spins Ty Gibbs under caution.

I respect the hell out of Lt. Commander Jesse Iwuji for his service to the country and for becoming one of the few Persons of Color to become a Team Owner & Driver.  However, he has had his share of embarrassing moments on track.  Probably his most bonehead move happened earlier this season at Portland International Raceway, when Iwuji who was multiple laps down ran into the back of race leader Ty Gibbs under caution.  It should be noted that the track surface was soaked due to rain, and multiple drivers had trouble staying on track, but Iwuji was the only one who had trouble on track under caution!  Iwuji received a two-lap penalty from NASCAR for the incident


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