NMCA Overturns Chip King DQ A Month Later

On May 16th of 2021 Chip King was involved in a pass that the NMCA had initially disqualified him for in St. Louis. Chip was on a bye run in the semi-finals of the event, took the tree, and proceeded to cross the centerline of the track surface. He was disqualified and Steve Summers went on to take the victory. Since this incident happened, Chip filed for a review of the decision, and more than a month later the NMCA has handed down a ruling regarding the DQ of Chip.

The disqualification of Chip King for crossing the center line in the Semi Final round was an incorrect decision by the Competition Staff of the NMCA. The Single Run rule (NMCA General Regulations page 13, Section 2.27, Paragraph 2) should have been applied. This rule states “During eliminations, any driver who has earned a “BYE” run through position (not an opponent’s breakage beyond the front of staging) may choose not to make a full pass, but must report to staging when the round is called, self-start when instructed, stage under the vehicle’s power, and take the tree under proper procedure. Once the tree has been activated, the driver is NOT required to make the run.”

It goes on to say on the NMCA Website that Chip will be reinstated and is to run Steve Summers at the next event as a final round matchup to determine the winner of the event, even though Steve had already been aware the event. Lastly it states that the Appeals Panel decision is final and not appealable.