The Ohio Valley Late Model Dirt Series announced on Tuesday that it suspended driver Corey DeLancey for the remainder of the 2026 season following the series’ race at 35 Raceway Park that took place on Saturday, October 3rd.
The series has one race left on its schedule: the Dirt Track World Championships at West Virginia Motor Speedway on October 15th.
The series shared in a statement to Facebook that DeLancey’s suspension was not just the result of an on-track incident, but “reflects the totality of the conduct surrounding and following the event, including the on-track conduct, actions after the race, social media activity, and the manner in which the situation was handled toward series officials.”
The series did not go into specifics on exactly what happened or what DeLancey posted on social media, but it did state that he engaged in “threatening conduct directed toward a series official.” A report from DirtonDirt.com also indicated he attempted to retaliate against another driver on the track. That on-track incident and subsequent retaliation took place during the race’s second heat race.
Furthermore, the series shared that the second driver was “penalized for his conduct on the race track.” They did not name the driver, but DirtonDirt.com reports it was Ted Johnson Jr. The outlet also noted that he was “penalized 25 points for disobeying a series official and parking near DeLancey’s disabled car between turns three and four after the initial collision and DeLancey’s attempted retaliation.”
The series concluded, “The matter is considered closed, and the series will have no further comment at this time.”
DeLancey was initially disqualified from the race following the heat race incident. He reacted to it in a post to social media. He wrote, “It’s [crappy] having to watch the show instead of being in it… but I guess that’s what happens when cowards run the Ohio Valley Late Model Dirt Series.”
In the comments, he added, “This post has nothing to do about the track or owner. Strictly towards the series about a mind blowing decision towards a guy that has supported them for many years. The track owner himself was not pleased with the decision nor felt it was right to tell me I was dqed. That says enough.”
DeLancey also shared footage of the initial wreck between him and Johnson. He commented, “Support a series for years, just to get treated with complete disrespect.”
He shared that it started before the heat race when he and his team discovered some engine troubles and had to go to a different car that delayed their arrival to the track. DeLancey shared that he spoke to series owner Todd Frohnapfel on the way and was informed that qualifying would begin at 5:30 PM. However, when they arrived at 5:30 PM, he said “qualifying was already wrapping up.” Nevertheless, they unloaded and started the heat race at the back.
Next, DeLancey shared what happened in the heat race, “We took the green and got a good run off turn two. I had the other driver beat down the backstretch and left him the bottom lane entering three. From where I sat, the “Rushville Wreck-It” stayed in the gas, picked up a push, and drove straight into our left front, spinning us. Which created the rack to break.”
He then explained his retaliation, “After that, our car wouldn’t turn. Out of frustration, I gassed it up toward him. I’ll own that—but I never made contact. I got out to assess the damage, and he pulled up beside me, escalating the situation. At no point did I touch him with my hands or my car.”
“Afterward, we went to Todd to talk through what happened. Before we could really have a conversation, he started yelling, told us we were disqualified, and said he wasn’t going to allow us to run the Dirt Track World Championship,” DeLancey continued. “After years of supporting this series, that’s what leaves the worst taste in our mouths. We went up there looking for a conversation and an explanation. That’s the response we got. Watch what happened and form your own opinion.”
In the comments, DeLancey added, “I do feel I was flat out drove over regardless. More frustration towards the series for dqing me with a piss poor reason, than him driving over his head. We all do it at times. To be done by Todd that way is sickening tho. We all have supported him for many years!”
He also shared footage of him exiting his car, giving some sign language to Johnson, and Johnson pulling up next to him. The footage then shows DeLancey going up to Johnson’s window and sticking his hand inside his car. Johnson appeared to swat his hand away. An official then physically moved DeLancey away from Johnson’s car.
DeLancey shared his version in the post, “The guy who had just straight-lined me drove completely around the track, passed every competitor stopped on the backstretch, and came back to my car to wave me over. I gave him the 🖕🏼 and took literally TWO steps toward him—which Todd described as me “walking over to his car.” I tried to shut his master switch off so we could talk if that’s what he wanted. During that exchange, I received contact to the face. I’m not losing sleep over that part.😂”
“I then went back to assessing the damage, which was why I’d gotten out of my car in the first place,” he continued. “Now I’ve been contacted and told I’m banned for the rest of the season, meaning we can’t compete in the Steel Block portion of the DTWC.”
Finally, he concluded, “I’m owning what I did. But how is my reaction being weighed against someone driving an entire lap past a stopped field to come back and keep the situation going?”
After the suspension was announced, DeLancey reacted writing, “It’s about damn time I got recognized. 
No autograph requests at this time, please contact my parole officer. 
“
While DeLancey has been suspended from the Ohio Valley Late Model Dirt Series portion of the Dirt Track World Championship, he implied he will likely compete with the Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series in the Super portion of the event.
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