Former NASCAR driver Tighe Scott facing felony charges from January 6 Capitol riot

Former NASCAR driver Tighe Scott is facing felony charges stemming from confrontations with police during the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021, according to the Associated Press. Scott, 75, his adult son Jarret Scott, 48, and two other men from Pennsylvania, were arrested by the FBI on Wednesday.

The four men were identified by tipsters after authorities posted photos and videos of the riot, including one who recognized Tighe Scott from his days in NASCAR. Scott and the three men entered the restricted grounds of the Capitol during the insurrection and got physical with the police. Scott was seen striking police riot shields and attempting to rip one out of the hands of officers. The two men with Scott and his son, Scott Slater Sr., 56 and Scott Alex Slater Jr., 26, pushed and resisted against officers while holding golf clubs.

JUST IN: Retired NASCAR driver Tighe Scott is the latest Jan. 6 felony defendant (charged along side three other people from PA) pic.twitter.com/L4I2C2uOWH

— Kyle Cheney (@kyledcheney) June 5, 2024

Scott and his son began screaming profanities at officers after Scott was pushed and stumbled backward into his son. The two Scotts were charged with two felonies — obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder and assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers — and five misdemeanor counts.

Scott competed in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series in the late 1970s and early 1980s after being involved in dirt racing. During his time in NASCAR, Scott earned 18 top-10 finishes in 89 races. His best finish was when he placed fifth at the Talladega race in 1980. His final NASCAR race came in 1982 when he placed 29th in the Daytona 500.

Tighe Scott arrest follows the arrest of part-time NASCAR driver

Scott’s arrest comes a couple months after part-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver Gray Gaulding was arrested on a domestic violence charge. It led to NASCAR suspending Gaulding who has not raced since 2023.

Gaulding spoke to Frontstretch about his career last season. “The pressure when it comes to racing, especially at a high level, no matter the series … when you’re racing, whether it’s a high-profile team or a low-profile team, you have those expectations in those things that you want to live up to,” he said. “And I’m a competitor, like, if you told me right now ‘hey, I want to run a foot race,’” he said.

“I’m going to do everything in my power to beat you. I’m a competitor. What I’ve learned, though … I’m 25 now. I’ve been racing professionally in NASCAR since I was 15. So basically 10 years of high-profile racing and trying to do all the right things and also build my name, build my resume, but I think for me the number one thing I take away is experience.”