Simpson files suit against NASCAR

Bill Simpson, former head of Simpson Performance Products, Inc. and resident of Avon, Ind., filed suit against the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing Wednesday.\nThe suit, which names NASCAR as the defendant, seeks $8.5 million in damages, including $6 million in lost competitive advantage, $2.5 million in lost profits and an unspecified amount in attorney fees and punitive damages. Simpson claims that NASCAR wrongly blamed his products for the death of racing legend Dale Earnhardt. \n"It is the beginning of something that should have not happened," Simpson said in an interview with the Orlando Sentinel. "They ruined my reputation. I'm disappointed that I had to do this." \nSimpson is no longer associated with his company after resigning in August after the accident, though he owns more than 25 percent of the company's stock. The current CEO of Simpson Performance Products, Chuck Davies, said in an interview with the Indianapolis Star that his company will not participate in the suit. \n"Our mission is to make racers safer, and we're working with NASCAR very hard on that very thing," he said. "I have sympathy for how Bill feels, but (this path) is not how we are going as a company."\nNASCAR insisted several times that a broken lap belt, manufactured by Simpson Performance Products, was a culprit in the fatal accident that claimed Earnhardt. Expert testimony cited the violent thrusting of Earnhardt's head forward as the cause of death.\nThe suit says that NASCAR officials and Daytona International Speedway physician Dr. Steve Bonnohon falsely blamed the seatbelt harness for the death and failed to mention that the harness was incorrectly installed by Earnhardt's crew.\nSimpson had worked in the auto racing industry for more than 40 years, providing safety equipment that included harnesses, helmets, fire retardant driving suits and shoes. His company was regarded as the epitome of racing safety. \nNASCAR driver Martin expressed his confidence in Simpson products in the interview with the Indianapolis Star.\n"If I had concerns about his products, my (10-year-old) son Matthew wouldn't be using them in his race car," he said.\nDale Earnhardt Jr. uses a competing harness, as does his late father's team.\nNASCAR said in a press release that the Simpson suit is groundless.\n"The Bill Simpson lawsuit is totally without merit," the statement said. "We will vigorously defend ourselves against his false allegations. NASCAR will continue to focus its efforts on safety, working with members of the NASCAR industry, including Simpson Performance Products, Inc."\nWhen called, NASCAR National Racing Commission had no comment.\nBill Simpson could not be reached for comment.