Driver Admits to Taking His Rival Out of Race : DeLong Says He ‘Wanted to Give Back What He Gave Me’ in Aftermath of Fiery Crash at Saugus

A stock car driver involved in a violent accident Saturday night at Saugus Speedway said Monday that he deliberately made contact with the other car involved, in retaliation against its driver.

Richard DeLong Sr. of Castaic, who was involved in a fiery crash with Chuck Pittenger of Northridge, said that he attempted to “spin out” Pittenger during the 15-lap semi-main event of the NASCAR Southwest Tour feature event. DeLong claimed that Pittenger had caused him to spin out two laps earlier.

“Oh, I took him out,” DeLong said. “I just wanted to give him back what he gave me. I figured, if I can’t finish the race, then neither is he (going to finish.)”

NASCAR officials are reviewing tapes of the crash for possible violations by either driver. Findings of the investigation likely will be revealed within the next few days, race promoter Owen Kearns Jr. said.

“As far as what may or may not transpire, it’s difficult to say,” Kearns said. “Under NASCAR rules, NASCAR has the power to fine, suspend, place on probation. . . . There are a lot of different things the officials can do.”

The crash involving DeLong and Pittenger was preceded by a heat race crash that left Street Stock driver Steve Reynolds of Sylmar hospitalized with a neck injury.

Reynolds, 21, was removed from the intensive care unit of Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital on Monday but remains hospitalized with a fractured upper cervical vertebra. He is expected to be released today or Thursday, according to his father, Don Reynolds.

William Hoose of Sepulveda, whose car unavoidably slammed into Reynolds’, was examined at the hospital and released.

In the second crash, as both cars slammed into the wall, DeLong’s vaulted over Pittenger’s and landed atop the wall on its left side. Spectators in the grandstands scurried from the scene as Pittenger, who walked away unhurt, leaped from his burning vehicle.

DeLong, 52, who suffered a broken left foot and minor burns, said that he regretted the crash but not his intentions.

“All I wanted to do was take him out,” he said. “This is the second time he’s done this to me in three years.”

Pittenger, 44, who entered the evening second in the Southwest Tour points standings, claimed afterward that DeLong “tried to kill me.” He conceded that he made “incidental contact” earlier with DeLong but claimed he was not at fault.

“I passed him on the outside and we touched at that point,” Pittenger said. “He spun out and that’s why he wanted to get back at me. Everybody there and the officials saw it as a clean pass.”

Saugus racing director Monte Monteleone would not comment, saying only that the accident was a matter for NASCAR to investigate.

“I think we both should be (punished),” DeLong said. “Whatever I get, I think he should get, too.”

Pittenger returned for the main event, driving the car of Bobby Campanella of Sepulveda. He pulled out of the race with engine trouble, however, after 17 laps. Pittenger’s 24th-place finish dropped him to fifth in the points standings.