HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- Police arrested a man for disorderly conduct and being drunk in public after he climbed the fence around the track at Richmond International Raceway during Saturday night's Federated Auto Parts 400, according to Richmond International Raceway officials.
A race fan captured video of the man atop the fence and posted it on YouTube.
The incident forced Saturday night's race to be run under a caution until the man climbed down. He did not seem injured.
According to Henrico police, 53-year-old James R. Dennis of Hopewell told police it was his birthday and he wanted to be on TV.
Dennis waited until police were looking away, then ran to the fence to climb it. He was immediately detained by officers when he climbed down a few minutes later, as seen in the clip.
Dennis was charged with drunk in public and disorderly conduct. CBS 6 left a message at phone number listed to Dennis asking for comment on this story, but so far, no one has returned the call.
James Richard Dennis
CBS 6 showed the clip of Dennis on top of the fence to several NASCAR fans on Sunday.
"That is a foolish thing to do. He's up there waving his hands around. If he lost his balance, just for one second, he's on the track and he's going to be splat," said Ralph Self.
"[Race fans] are here to have a good time and you get a few who are overzealous. There's one in every crowd," said Toby Leonard.
Henrico Police could not say if Dennis had posted bail yet.
Official at RIR said they will review the incident at their usual post-race meetings. Driver Brad Keselowski won Saturday night's NASCAR race.
