#9 Hendrick Motorsports 2021 COTA Cup race All News Chase Elliott Cup News

Eddie D’Hondt arrested for assault UPDATE charges dropped, reinstated by NASCAR

June 18, 2021 at 3:54 PM

UPDATE 5: D’Hondt has been reinstated by NASCAR and will spot for Chase Elliott this weekend at Nashville.

In a statement, Hendrick Motorsports said, “We are pleased about the resolution of this matter and look forward to Eddie D’Hondt re-joining our team this weekend at Nashville Superspeedway.”

UPDATE 4 (6-18-2021): Bob Pockrass from Fox Sports is reporting the assault/battery charges against D’Hondt have been dismissed due to “insufficient evidence to warrant prosecution.” Conflicting statements were made by the witnesses and dispositive evidence was never provided to the DA’s office.”

Pockrass was also provided a statement from D’Hondt’s attorney. D’Hondt plans on resuming his career atop the spotter’s stand. Currently, Trey Poole, Chase Elliott’s cousin and business manager is still listed as the spotter of the No. 9 Chevrolet for this weekend’s race at Nashville Superspeedway.


UPDATE 3: Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass is reporting the D’Hondt case stems from Sept. 7, 2020, for an argument over jet ski rentals, where an employee alleged D’Hondt of making contact with them.

Then, a criminal summons for assault on a female was issued last September towards D’Hondt. The assault case had been postponed multiple times. The warrant for arrest for battery towards and unborn child was issued two weeks ago.

 

UPDATE 2: NASCAR has suspended Eddie D’Hondt indefinitely for violation of Section 12.8.1.e Member Conduct Guidelines and 2.11 Required Notice.

Section 12.8.1.e states:

Member actions that could result in a fine and/or indefinite suspension, or termination:

  • Being charged with or convicted of significant criminal violations (e.g. Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Assault), or having had determinations rendered by criminal or civil authorities that in NASCAR’s judgement necessitate action. NASCAR will not pre-judge guilt or innocence in the criminal or civil legal system, or the guilt or innocence of the Member, but rather review each matter in its own context and circumstances and with regards to its potential effects upon the sport.

Section 2.11 Required Notice:

  • Any NASCAR Member charged with any violation of the law (misdemeanor and/or felony) shall notify NASCAR … prior to the next scheduled Event or within 72 hours of being so charged, whichever is earlier.

UPDATE: Hendrick Motorsports statement: We became aware of the situation this morning and have immediately and indefinitely suspended Mr. D’Hondt’s role with our company. We are taking this matter very seriously and will continue to seek additional information about the alleged incident.

A spotter for this weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway has not been named at this time.

ORIGINAL POST: Eddie D’Hondt, spotter for Chase Elliott’s No. 9 team in the NASCAR Cup Series, was arrested earlier this month on misdemeanor charges of assaulting a woman and battery against an unborn child.

According to the Hickory, N.C. Police Department’s website, D’Hondt, 62, was arrested on May 12. On the North Carolina Judicial Branch’s website, D’Hondt is scheduled for two court appearances, on June 7 (battery of an unborn child) and June 30 (assault of a woman).

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The Cup Series has held two races since D’Hondt’s arrest: May 16 at Dover International Speedway and Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas. D’Hondt was listed as the No. 9 team’s spotter for both events. At Dover, Hendrick Motorsports posted the first 1-2-3-4 finish in the organization’s history.

According to NASCAR’s rulebook, D’Hondt’s arrest could violate Section 12.8.1.d, which says a member “could be fined and/or indefinitely suspended” for “being charged with or convicted of a significant criminal violation.”

See more at Frontstretch.