Connect with us

Motorsports

Meet the ex-Secret Service and FBI guys who stop NASCAR’s fights from exploding

They would prefer to blend in. This is what their decades in law enforcement have ingrained in them. Strangers asking for a selfie is supposed to be a foreign concept; people shouldn’t know who they are. But NASCAR fans have come to recognize Allen Taylor and Stan Ruffin, whose job titles are simply “NASCAR security,” […]

Published

on


They would prefer to blend in. This is what their decades in law enforcement have ingrained in them. Strangers asking for a selfie is supposed to be a foreign concept; people shouldn’t know who they are.

But NASCAR fans have come to recognize Allen Taylor and Stan Ruffin, whose job titles are simply “NASCAR security,” though this underplays their importance. Through no fault of their own, they’ve found themselves in the middle of some of NASCAR’s most well-known driver confrontations in recent years.

Remember that post-race scrum at Kansas in 2023, when Ross Chastain clocked Noah Gragson with a right cross? It was Ruffin who grabbed Gragson’s arm in mid-swing before he could land a retaliatory punch that surely would’ve triggered a bigger melee. Ruffin was also in the middle of a brawl last year at North Wilkesboro — where NASCAR returns this weekend for its annual All-Star Race — between Kyle Busch and Ricky Stenhouse Jr., with Ruffin forcefully pulling Stenhouse away after he punched Busch post-race.

And last fall, Taylor defused a potential powder keg when he walked with an irate driver down Martinsville’s pit road who seemed hellbent on expressing his anger with a Truck Series competitor following a key playoff race, only for the confrontation to never go beyond an exchange of words.

“A lot of times you can tell by their posture when they get out of the car; they’re slamming things,” said Taylor, who heads NASCAR’s security team. “It’s all about anticipating and seeing how they’re reacting. Because sometimes drivers are nice and calm and they go to the other driver, and then that’s when they blow up. Sometimes the blow-up doesn’t happen until the other person says something. It’s not always immediately that the fighting occurs. You just have to be aware.”

Although there is no overarching protocol on how Taylor, Ruffin and others within NASCAR’s security corps handle post-race confrontations, they try to apply a consistent methodology. They end up as part-bodyguard, part-referee and part-mediator.

“It’s just a natural thing for me,” Ruffin said. “I seem to always be around, and stuff gravitates towards me. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s not.”

When races finish, Taylor and Ruffin will make their way over to any driver they feel may be inclined to confront another, either by their own instincts or with some direction from NASCAR officials in the scoring tower. And should that driver decide to start a confrontation, security will quickly move in.

These exchanges between drivers are often mild, with no one starring in a viral fight video. But occasionally, a flare-up occurs.

When this happens, Taylor and Ruffin’s extensive law enforcement background — each totaling nearly 30 years — proves invaluable. Taylor worked for the U.S. Secret Service, where his duties included a lengthy stint serving on the detail assigned to protecting the Obamas. There, he forged a tight bond with President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. When Taylor was seeking a career shift in 2020 and curious about potentially working for NASCAR, Barack Obama made a personal call to then-NASCAR president Steve Phelps to encourage the league to hire his friend.

Ruffin worked as an FBI agent, where he worked on several high-profile cases ranging from 9/11 to white-collar crimes to kidnappings.

The preferred protocol with post-race fights is to allow the drivers to speak toe-to-toe without any crew members interjecting. Since many crew members are former college athletes and often significantly bigger than drivers, such a size discrepancy can lead to injuries, making it paramount to keep them on the periphery. NASCAR security also doesn’t want any law enforcement to become directly involved unless absolutely necessary, lest an overzealous driver or crew member accidentally strike them and potentially be subject to criminal charges.

Ideally, once drivers begin to jaw, they’ll say whatever needs to be said and then disperse. Of course, sometimes it can go in a much different direction. And it’s when things get physical that Taylor and Ruffin make their presence known.

“You can’t let the drivers get hurt,” Ruffin said. “Because if you go too far and a driver gets hurt, then it becomes, ‘Why didn’t you stop them?’

“Those drivers, especially the younger ones, are similar to my own kids where I was always breaking up fights. The younger ones often make me laugh as I’m trying to break them up. I jokingly tell (drivers) they get one move (be it a shove, a grab or punch) and that’s it.”

Leaning on their vast training, Taylor and Ruffin prefer to de-escalate any situation before it rises to punches being thrown and drivers needing to be physically restrained.

Last fall at Martinsville, Taylor walked nearly the entire length of pit road with driver Taylor Gray, who was upset with Christian Eckes after late contact cost Gray a win in a pivotal Truck Series playoff race. During that walk, Taylor repeatedly told Gray to maintain a level head. This is exactly what happened.

“I kept saying, ‘Think about what you are going to say, don’t do anything that you’re going to regret later. Just have a conversation,” Taylor said. “I kept repeating the same thing over and over. He wasn’t acknowledging it, but I was hoping that he was hearing me.

“You’re de-escalating, but it’s also more about communicating. My communication skills are honed in on and based on having to deal with audiences, having to talk to people and give them direction. Communication is the key in all these situations.”

Looking back months later, Gray says he doesn’t recall what Taylor said to him that frustrating night. Still, it’s hard to think that Taylor’s message didn’t resonate to some degree.

“He was trying to talk me off the ledge, for sure,” Gray said.

Following a rough-and-tumble Xfinity Series race this past spring at Martinsville, Ruffin found himself in a similar situation. Livid with Sammy Smith, Jeb Burton sought Smith out in the infield care center. With this environment considered a hospital, no misbehavior is tolerated, especially fighting. So Ruffin placed himself between the two drivers, then calmly explained to Burton that this was not the place for this and he needed to leave. Burton listened. And on his own accord, he later apologized to the care center staff.

“They did a good job of talking me off the ledge,” Burton said. “That’s not the guy I am, but I’m fired up and passionate about what I do.”

Tense situations can extend beyond the track, sometimes not even involving drivers — and it may require being mindful of a muffin whizzing by their head.

He laughs about it now, and so do Ruffin’s colleagues, who now affectionately refer to him as the “Muffin Man,” but at the moment, it was no joke.

Among NASCAR security’s many duties is having a presence at various events that go on during the week. This includes NASCAR playoff media day, as was the case last September at the Charlotte Convention Center. At some point, as Ruffin recalled, an uncredentialed man entered a private area NASCAR had sequestered off and refused to leave when asked.

After Ruffin was alerted, he began following the individual while maintaining a healthy distance, as he didn’t want to provoke him. The unwanted visitor eventually made his way into a hospitality room where he proceeded to grab various food items. It was then Ruffin intervened, instructing the individual to leave as he had overstayed his welcome. Ignoring the directive, the individual continued to wander around only to suddenly throw a muffin at the back of Ruffin’s head, missing him.

In this instance, Ruffin would’ve had justification to act forcefully. Yet, Ruffin maintained his composure.

“I picked up the muffin, handed it to him and said, ‘Sir, I believe you dropped your muffin,’” Ruffin said, shaking his head as he retells the story.

“It’s just a matter of trying to stay calm and calm the other person and not make the situation worse by giving them an opportunity to do what they came there to do. And I think he came there to fight. … You do everything you can to bring the tension down.”

Stan Ruffin and Joey Logano


Stan Ruffin accompanies Joey Logano to a Los Angeles Clippers game in 2022. Logano is one of many drivers who rely on Ruffin and Allen Taylor. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)

Many within the industry swear by Taylor and Ruffin. Defending Cup Series champion Joey Logano is adamant they are the first people he reaches out to whenever a potential security issue arises that falls within their realm, as was the case last year. Chastain is one of several drivers who says he owes them for jumping in to break up a fight before things went completely haywire.

“I’ve had a couple of moments where I’ve been very thankful,” Chastain said. “The way that group works, you don’t see them until you see him. They just have a way to navigate their garage silently, but they’re always there. They’re always around.”

Then there are fans, many of whom have come to recognize Taylor and Ruffin. The two are now regularly spotted at the track and approached to chat or take a selfie — or to bust their chops for prematurely breaking up a fight the fan wanted to see unfold.

“Obviously we know it’s good advertising, good TV,” Taylor said of driver skirmishes. “And, obviously, people like to see disagreements and, unfortunately, the fight. But I think the drama behind it and having the discussion, I think can be just as entertaining as not having an actual fight.”

Said Ruffin: “It’s kind of weird. This weekend alone, I’ve already taken six selfies. Some tell me I need to handle (fights) like hockey, but I don’t know anything about what the hockey rules are.”

(Top photo of the altercation between Taylor Gray and Christian Eckes at Martinsville last year; Stan Ruffin has sunglasses on his head, and Allen Taylor is next to him in the dark blue NASCAR jacket: Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images)





Link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Motorsports

ARCA Berlin Entry List

After competing at Michigan International Speedway, the ARCA Menards Series stays in the state, heading to the short track Berlin Raceway. Twenty-four drivers are entered for the 200-lap race so all will make the show. Three full-time entries are not on the list: Sigma Performance Services’ No. 23, Andy Jankowiak in the KLAS Motorsports No. […]

Published

on


After competing at Michigan International Speedway, the ARCA Menards Series stays in the state, heading to the short track Berlin Raceway.

Twenty-four drivers are entered for the 200-lap race so all will make the show.

Three full-time entries are not on the list: Sigma Performance Services’ No. 23, Andy Jankowiak in the KLAS Motorsports No. 73, and Nitro Motorsports’ No. 46. Treyten Lapcevich is entered in the No. 70 Toyota for Nitro as the organization announced he will replace Thad Moffitt, who has dropped to part-time status due to a partner withdrawal.

Max Reaves makes his national series debut in the Joe Gibbs Racing No. 18. Reaves has won his first three ARCA Menards Series East races in 2025, tying the series record.

Mason Mitchell will make his second start of the season in the Venturini Motorsports No. 25.

Fast Track Racing will field five entries at Berlin: Don Thompson in the No. 9, Matt Kemp in the No. 10, Tony Cosentino in the No. 11, Trevor Ward in the No. 12 and Jeff Smith in the No. 01.

Other notables include City Garage Motorsports fielding Becca Monopoli in her No. 85 and Michael Clayton in a second entry, the No. 5. Mullins Racing returns with team owner Willie Mullins in the No. 3. Also, Dale Shearer will make his second start of the year in his No. 98.

Rise Motorsports team owner Tim Goulet will pilot the No. 31, Mandy Chick will drive the Maples Motorsports No. 67 and Chris Golden will drive the No. 86 for Clubb Racing Inc.

The 24 drivers will take the green flag on Saturday, June 14 at 7 p.m. ET with TV coverage provided by FOX Sports 1.


Frontstretch.com

Mark Kristl joined Frontstretch at the beginning of the 2019 NASCAR season. He is the site’s ARCA Menards Series editor. Kristl is also an Eagle Scout and a proud University of Dayton alum.



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

TOYOTA GAZOO Racing unveils liquid hydrogen-fueled “GR LH2 Racing Concept” at Le Mans

As part of its efforts to make ever-better cars through motorsports as the starting point, and to realize a carbon-neutral society, Toyota has advanced its technologies in the challenging environment of motorsports, including the Super Taikyu series in Japan. It has also accelerated its efforts to expand the production, transportation, and use of hydrogen together […]

Published

on


GR LH2 Racing ConceptAs part of its efforts to make ever-better cars through motorsports as the starting point, and to realize a carbon-neutral society, Toyota has advanced its technologies in the challenging environment of motorsports, including the Super Taikyu series in Japan. It has also accelerated its efforts to expand the production, transportation, and use of hydrogen together with partners inside and outside the industry, towards the realization of a carbon-neutral society.

Toyota has taken on the challenge of hydrogen engine development in motorsports, initially through Rookie Racing’s participation in the Japanese Super Taikyu series with the hydrogen-engine Corolla, which initially used gaseous hydrogen from 2021, before the introduction of a liquid hydrogen-powered car from 2023. The potential of hydrogen engines in rallying was showcased in 2022 when the GR Yaris H2 completed demonstration runs on Ypres Rally, a round of the FIA World Rally Championship.

In 2023, the hydrogen-engine Corolla completed a demonstration lap of the Circuit de la Sarthe, while a hydrogen engine concept car, the GR H2 Racing Concept, was presented to preview a potential future hydrogen category at Le Mans. Since then, development of the technology intensified, reaching a new milestone with the unveiling of the liquid hydrogen-powered GR LH2 Racing Concept. It is based on the GR010 HYBRID Hypercar which currently participates in the FIA World Endurance Championship. Through future track testing, the GR LH2 Racing Concept will support Toyota’s continuous development of hydrogen technology and infrastructure, as well as helping build relationships to expand the possibilities of hydrogen through the challenge of motorsports.





Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

AUTO RACING: Denny Hamlin earns 57th career win in Michigan and NASCAR heads to Mexico | Auto Racing

All Times Eastern NASCAR CUP SERIES Viva Mexico 250 Site: Mexico City. Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Race distance: 100 laps, 241 miles. Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:05 p.m., practice, 3 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, noon; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX). Last year: Inaugural race. Last race: After passing Byron with three to go, Denny […]

Published

on


All Times Eastern

NASCAR CUP SERIES

Viva Mexico 250

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 100 laps, 241 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:05 p.m., practice, 3 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, noon; Sunday, race, 3 p.m. (Prime Video and MAX).

Last year: Inaugural race.

Last race: After passing Byron with three to go, Denny Hamlin earned his third series victory alongside his 57th career win in Michigan.

Next race: June 22, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR XFINITY SERIES

The Chilango 150

Site: Mexico City.

Track: Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

Race distance: 65 laps, 157.3 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 2:05 p.m., practice, 3:30 p.m.; Saturday, qualifying, 10:30 a.m., race, 4:30 p.m. (CW).

Last year: The previous race, which was held in 2008 and named the Corona Mexico 200, saw Kyle Busch earn the victory after passing Scott Pruett with 7 laps to go.

Last race: Justin Allgaier took the his third series win of the season in Nashville while holding off a late surge from rookie teammate Connor Zilisch.

Next race: June 21, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES

Last race: Stewart Friesen held off Enfinger late to secure the victory in Michigan, breaking a 72-race losing streak and grabbing his first win since 2022.

Next race: June 20, Long Pond, Pennsylvania.

Online: http://www.nascar.com

FORMULA ONE

Pirelli Grand Prix du Canada

Site: Montreal.

Track: Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.

Race distance: 70 laps, 189.6 miles.

Schedule: Friday, practice, 1:25 p.m., practice, 4:55 p.m.; Saturday, practice, 12:25 p.m., qualifying, 3:55 p.m.; Sunday, race, 2 p.m. (ABC).

Last year: Verstappen secured his 60th career win, taking the lead after a restart in a thrilling race that saw rain showers and a string of safety car appearances.

Last race: Oscar Piastri secured the victory and held off teammate Lando Norris in Spain to take back momentum after Norris’s previous win at Monaco.

Next race: June 29, Spielberg, Austria.

Online: http://www.formula1.com

INDYCAR

Bommarito Automotive Grand Prix

Site: Madison, Illinois.

Track: Worldwide Technology Raceway.

Race distance: 260 laps, 310.6 miles.

Schedule: Saturday, practice, 11:30 a.m., qualifying, 3 p.m. high line & final practice, 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, race, 8 p.m. (FOX).

Last year: Josef Newgarden took his fifth win out of nine visits to the Madison track, holding off teammate McLaughlin after a late restart with six laps to go.

Last race: Kyle Kirkwood surged ahead on a late restart in Detroit to take his second win of the season.

Next race: June 22, Elkhart, Wisconsin.

Online: http://www.indycar.com

NHRA DRAG RACING

Next race: June 22, North Dinwiddie, Virginia.

Online: http://www.nhra.com

WORLD OF OUTLAWS

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 1

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

Premier Chevy Dealers Clash – Night 2

Site: Knoxville, Iowa.

Track: Knoxville Raceway.

Next events: June 18-23, Brandon, South Dakota, Pevely, Missouri, Independence, Iowa.

Online: http://worldofoutlaws.com

_____

AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/apf-AutoRacing



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Dale Earnhardt Jr. pays tribute to former NASCAR crew chief, team owner Travis Carter

Former championship-winning crew chief Travis Carter has died at age 75, leaving the NASCAR world in mourning. He was a staple in the sport for multiple decades, serving in various capacities over the years. Following his death, Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on social media. He wrote on Twitter: “Sad news. Travis added a lot […]

Published

on


Former championship-winning crew chief Travis Carter has died at age 75, leaving the NASCAR world in mourning. He was a staple in the sport for multiple decades, serving in various capacities over the years.

Following his death, Dale Earnhardt Jr. weighed in on social media. He wrote on Twitter:

“Sad news. Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Earnhardt wrote. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

Carter, who was born in 1949, was previously a car owner and crew chief in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series. He won championships with multiple drivers there, first with Benny Parsons in 1973 and then with Cale Yarborough in 1978. Notably, he split crew chief duties with Tim Brewer during the 1978 title run.

Additionally, he owned Travis Carter Motorsports from 1970 to 2003. He’s also the father of NASCAR driver Matt Carter.

But Carter’s legacy touched many. Dozens in the sport reached out following his death, including Earnhardt and other drivers.

“Just heard about Travis Carter passing away,” wrote Brian Keselowski on Twitter. “If you didn’t know him, you missed out on a great guy. When we first moved to NC in 2010 we rented a shop from him. He was so happy for us when we made Daytona in 2011, I’ll never forget it. Rest easy my friend.”

ESPN personality Ryan McGee, who has covered NASCAR at various points, also weighed in on Carter’s death. The two were fond of each other.

“Godspeed Travis Carter. He used to greet me with ‘Hey, Cousin McGee’ because I was from Rockingham, NC and he was from Ellerbe, NC and ‘that’s close enough,’” McGee wrote. “What a NASCAR legend and what a damn nice guy.”



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Travis Carter, longtime NASCAR team owner, dies at 75

RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — Travis Carter, a longtime NASCAR team owner and championship-winning crew chief, died on Tuesday, according to various racing personalities. He was 75. Carter was a native of Ellerbe, North Carolina, in Richmond County, a short drive from Rockingham Speedway. He owned Travis Carter Enterprises, a team that competed from 1990 to […]

Published

on


RICHMOND COUNTY, N.C. — Travis Carter, a longtime NASCAR team owner and championship-winning crew chief, died on Tuesday, according to various racing personalities. He was 75.

Carter was a native of Ellerbe, North Carolina, in Richmond County, a short drive from Rockingham Speedway. He owned Travis Carter Enterprises, a team that competed from 1990 to 2004 and was based in Statesville.

As the crew chief for Benny Parsons, he won the 1973 NASCAR Cup Series championship. It was the lone title for Parsons, a NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee.

Carter won 11 races as the crew chief for Parsons and Harry Gant, most notably the 1975 Daytona 500 with Parsons and the 1984 Southern 500 with Gant.

In 1990, Carter left the pit box to start up his own team. Carter Enterprises never won a race but was a mainstay on the NASCAR scene in the 1990s and early 2000s. Jimmy Spencer, Todd Bodine, and Joe Nemechek were some of the most notable drivers to race for Carter. Darrell Waltrip’s final two seasons were behind the wheel of Carter’s No. 66 K-Mart Ford in 1999 and 2000.

Carter left the Cup Series in 2004 and made a brief return in 2007 before dipping out for good.

Several NASCAR personalities offered their condolences and memories on social media.

“Travis added a lot to NASCAR,” Dale Earnhardt Jr. said on X. “It was really nice to get to talk with him in recent months. I’m in awe of the men like him that shaped the NASCAR I grew up in.”

“He is one of the reasons I exist as a NASCAR team owner,” Carl Long, owner of MBM Motorsports, said. “If it was not for Travis Carter, I am not sure how my path would have developed. I will always be grateful for his assistance.”

Ryan McGee, a NASCAR reporter for ESPN, noted that Carter would call him “Cousin McGee” for being from Rockingham, which is about nine miles from Ellerbe.



Link

Continue Reading

Motorsports

Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Channels A Need for Speed

The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” taps into a long-standing tradition of MJ’s love for speed and style. This colorway blends performance-ready construction with a visual edge, making it one of the flashier looks from the new silhouette. While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of […]

Published

on


The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” taps into a long-standing tradition of MJ’s love for speed and style. This colorway blends performance-ready construction with a visual edge, making it one of the flashier looks from the new silhouette.

While the Jordan Heir is still a fresh addition to the lineup, it’s clearly rooted in the legacy of innovation that defines the brand. Jordan Brand has always pushed boundaries, and the Heir carries that energy forward.

It’s not a retro, it’s a new lane. Inspired by the futuristic design language of early 2000s performance models, this sneaker bridges the gap between court-ready function and lifestyle versatility. The “Motorsports” name isn’t just for show either.

MJ’s passion for motorsports dates back to his post-retirement days, and the color blocking on this pair echoes some of the team gear from that era. It’s sleek, aggressive, and built like something meant to move.

Official images show off the white base with black and varsity royal overlays, plus a mix of materials and sculpted lines that give the shoe serious presence. Whether or not you’re burning rubber, this one’s all gas, no brakes.

Jordan Heir “Motorsports”

jordan-heir-motorsports-sneaker-news

Image via Nike

The Jordan Heir “Motorsports” features a white synthetic base with breathable mesh zones and bold black leather overlays. Further, a translucent varsity royal cage wraps around the midfoot for structure and contrast.

Black laces and a knit tongue add texture, while the blue pull tab and Jumpman logos complete the look. Also, a rubber outsole in varsity royal rounds out the design with aggressive tread. The foam midsole offers comfort without extra bulk.

This modern silhouette leans into dynamic lines, mixed materials, and color blocking that gives it an unmistakable motorsport vibe.

Jordan Heir “Motorsports” Release Date

Sneaker Bar Detroit reports that the Jordan Heir “Motorsports” will be released in the summer of 2025. Also, these sneakers will have a retail price of $110 when they are released.

jordan-heir-motorsports-sneaker-news

Image via Nike

jordan-heir-motorsports-sneaker-news

Image via Nike



Link

Continue Reading

Most Viewed Posts

Trending