Arrested For Felony Animal Cruelty, NASCAR Director Steps Down

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Police charged him with 2 felony counts after a dog was starved to death and another was found on the brink of dying following a 911 call earlier this summer.

The director of NASCAR’s Cup Series – Jay Fabian – was first arrested on Monday, August 21st, 2021 after warrants were issued following an investigation.

This comes nearly a month after a 911 call led officers to his property where they discovered multiple dogs who had either died or were in extremely poor health.

Bob Pockrass, a veteran motorsports journalist, broke the news on Twitter explaining some of the events that eventually led to Fabian removing himself from his role at NASCAR.

Fabian was named the director of the top-tier Cup Series back in 2019. At the time, it was called the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS). Previously, he had served as director of technical integration for NASCAR and spent 10 years on the crew team at Michael Waltrip Racing.

Warrants for Cup Series Director Jay Fabian allege willful neglect of his dogs. Allegations: One dog died after deprived “of all necessary sustenance in which to live,” another dog suffered “extreme dehydration & starvation,” another dog deprived of “necessary sustenance.” (2/2)

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 25, 2021

NBC Sports reports that the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police file explains one dog was found dead, a second “almost deceased,” and yet a third found, but was noted to be “healthiest” of the three. Considering one dog had died, it remains to be seen what officers meant by “healthiest.”

Fabian was charged with a total of three counts of animal cruelty. Two felonies and one misdemeanor.

A copy of the arrest warrant claims that Fabian “did, intentionally and with malice, deprive his dog, Jasper, of all necessary sustenance in which to live, causing the animal to suffer unjustifiable pain, suffering, and death in a torturous and cruel manner.”

NASCAR released a statement on Wednesday, August 25th, 2021:

“NASCAR takes the situation seriously, and will continue to gather information as it becomes available. Jay Fabian will step back from his role until this matter is resolved. NASCAR will have no further comment.”

Fabian’s next court date is set for September 27th, 2021 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.