Community Corner
NASCAR Ends Relationship with Speedbowl Following Human Trafficking Bust
NASCAR ends its relationship with the New London-Waterford Speedbowl following the owner's recent arrest on human trafficking charges.
HARTFORD, CT - NASCAR announced Thursday it has terminated the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series sanction and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour race sanction with the New London-Waterford Speedbowl.
The announcement was made on the NASCAR Home Tracks official Twitter page. The termination will start “effective immediately, according to the tweet.
This news comes nearly a week after owner Bruce Bemer, 63, was arrested for allegedly running a human trafficking ring out of Danbury with two other men. Police said the men exploited young men with mental health issues.
Find out what's happening in Glastonburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
#NASCAR Statement regarding the New London-Waterford Speedbowl. pic.twitter.com/HeZe9XlZAx
— NASCAR Home Tracks (@NASCARHomeTrack) April 6, 2017
The charges spurred an uproar across the state, leading the state General Assembly's Judiciary Committee to vote unanimously to approve a bill increasing the punishments for human trafficking. The bill would upgrade the crime of trafficking in persons from a Class B to a Class A felony allowing for stiffer penalties.
See also: Speedbowl Owner Admitted to Paying for Sex With 'Boys' For Over 20 Years: Police
Find out what's happening in Glastonburyfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Image via Shutterstock.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
