Safety manufacturer Bill Simpson’s lawsuit against NASCAR over the death of Dale Earnhardt is scheduled to start Sept. 13 here [Indianapolis] in Federal Court but it may have been decided Monday. NASCAR president Mike Helton and Simpson met for three hours Monday afternoon with U.S. Federal District Court magistrate Sue Shields and the result of that meeting will be announced Tuesday. “There will be a joint statement issued tomorrow by NASCAR out of Daytona Beach and that is all we can say,” said attorney James H. Voyles, who along with Robert Horn, are representing Simpson. Helton declined to speak to reporters as he left the building, as did Simpson. Judge Sarah Evans Barker was scheduled to preside if the suit went to trial but Shields requested an audience with Helton and Simpson on Monday. And Tuesday’s announcement will likely reveal an out-of-court settlement, state that the case has been thrown out or that the suit will make it to trial, as scheduled, in two months.(see full story at ESPN.com by Robin Miller) UPDATE: The following joint statement is issued by Bill Simpson and NASCAR in connection with Mr. Simpson’s voluntary dismissal of his defamation and false light invasion of privacy lawsuit against NASCAR pending in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana. “Simpson and NASCAR are happy to announce that they agree that it is in the best interest of racing that they direct their time, energy and resources away from litigation and toward their joint goal of improving safety for professional racing drivers. Any misunderstanding between the parties, and the public, which gave rise to this litigation, can now be put to rest.” NASCAR said it is pleased that Simpson dismissed his lawsuit. NASCAR President Mike Helton said, “We recognize that Bill has contributed significantly to the safety of motorsports for over 43 years, and we are glad the issue has been resolved.” Simpson intends to supply teams and drivers with safety products from his new company. “I’m looking forward to doing what I do best,” Simpson said, “and that’s helping drivers and teams be as safe as they can at the track.” This statement is the only consideration for the dismissal and the parties do not intend to discuss this matter further.(NASCAR PR), and see past news on the lawsuit on my Lawsuits Page .(7-15-2003)
