Ohio Valley Speedway owner Rich Michael Jr. explained why he banned Tyler Carpenter from selling his merchandise at the track.

Carpenter shared that he was banned from selling merchandise in a post to social media on Tuesday, May 26th. Carpenter explained he would be competing at Elkins on Friday night and then would head to Skyline on Saturday. He then stated, “Since we are no longer allowed to sell merchandise at Ohio Valley Speedway due to our new shirt design…YOU’LL WANT TO CATCH US AT ELKINS FRIDAY NIGHT to grab the latest merch before it’s gone!”

Additionally, Carpenter responded to one fan calling for a boycott of Ohio Valley Speedway saying, “No. We we need all tracks to stay alive. No disrespect to Ohio valley speedway that’s my home track. We’ll be back down there some this season.”

The new shirt design in question is a reference to a victory lane interview that Carpenter gave on May 8th at Ohio Valley Speedway where he reportedly told a tech official to kiss his genitals following a dispute over his lack of proper safety equipment specifically a neck brace.

StockCarReport.com spoke with Rich Michael Jr. and he confirmed that Carpenter had been banned from selling merchandise at the track due to the shirt design. There was not a single specific reason, but it was multifold. He relayed that multiple sponsors had spoken to him about the shirt and indicated they would no longer support the track if the shirts were sold there. Additionally, Michael also indicated that numerous parents contacted him about how the shirt is objectionable and not appropriate for children or families. Carpenter himself noted the shirt is “not recommended for the young crowd” and even put a parental advisory on the graphic and in the post announcing the new design. Finally, Michael objected to the shirt on moral grounds saying it is “very wrong to do that.”

On top of his explanation for why he’s banned Carpenter from selling merchandise due to the shirt, he also indicated that if Carpenter does not comply with the track’s safety rules such as wearing a neck brace and wearing the proper racing shoes he will be disqualified moving forward. He specifically cited insurance and the track being held liable if anything were to happen to due to a driver not wearing the proper safety equipment.

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