NASCAR announced on Thursday that it has placed an indefinite suspension on a staff member of its 23XI racing operation after police said she used a golf cart as a weapon during an altercation at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Arrest and charges
Evanna Howell, who serves as a senior account manager for the team co‑owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan and NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin, was taken into custody over the weekend and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury.
According to the Charlotte‑Mecklenburg Police Department, the incident unfolded in the parking area of the speedway, where security personnel reported that Howell struck a fellow employee with a motorized golf cart, causing injuries that required medical attention.
NASCAR’s response
The swift disciplinary action underscores NASCAR’s zero‑tolerance stance on workplace violence, a policy that the sanctioning body has been reinforcing across its teams and venues in recent months.
In a brief statement, a spokesperson for 23XI said the organization is cooperating fully with law enforcement and is reviewing internal procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Broader implications
The episode also brings renewed attention to the responsibilities of back‑office staff who, while often unseen by fans, play a critical role in the day‑to‑day operations of a top‑level racing team.
Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin, though not directly involved in the altercation, have yet to comment publicly on the matter, leaving many observers to wonder how the suspension will affect the team’s upcoming schedule.
Investigation continues
Local authorities have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges could be filed pending the results of a forensic review of the golf cart’s usage.