Teen Ethan Wicker Ejected After Brawl Shocks Tulsa Shootout
A brawl at the Tulsa Shootout ended with 16-year-old driver Ethan Wicker being ejected after an on-premises altercation that unfolded following the Stock Non-Wing qualifier. Video circulating on social media shows Wicker engaged in a heated argument with an older competitor; at one point someone appears to flip off the adult’s cap, which escalated the confrontation. The clip shows the exchange turning physical, with Wicker appearing to be outpowered before track security intervened and separated those involved.
Wicker had been one of the stronger performers earlier in the day, finishing 10th in his qualifier, but organizers moved quickly after the melee and removed him from the building. The identity of the other competitor in the skirmish has not been confirmed publicly, nor is it clear who made the gesture that ignited the fight. Officials’ next steps regarding any disciplinary action or Wicker’s future participation in the event or series have not been announced.
The Tulsa Shootout regularly attracts a mix of veterans and rising talent from across stock-car racing, and on-track tempers have flared there before. This year’s field includes several Cup Series names, among them Kyle Busch — who is attending with his son Brexton and is entered in multiple divisions — two-time Golden Driller winner Kyle Larson, and newcomer Ty Gibbs, who is making his Tulsa debut across premier divisions. The dirt-track format and competitive, close-quarters racing often produce intense moments both on and off the track, and this incident is the latest example of how quickly confrontations can escalate at the event.
As fans and teams await formal statements from Tulsa Shootout organizers and sanctioning bodies, the focus will be on whether officials impose further penalties or suspensions. For Wicker, a teenage driver trying to build a name in the series, the ejection is a significant setback that could affect his short-term plans at the Shootout and potentially his standing in the series pending any rulings. The situation underscores how off-track conduct can have immediate consequences at high-profile events that serve as early-season tune-ups for many drivers heading into the NASCAR calendar.
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