The Figure 8 Championship at Indianapolis Speedrome is always the high-octane, wild race where cars running at 70 mph meet at the criss-crossing path at center track. Drivers usually swerve to save themselves from a collision, but now and then, the Indy crowd gets a spectacle of drivers unwilling to give up their space. But there is a generations-long fact that many are aware of: If you tangle with one Tunny, you better be prepared to face them all.

The Speedrome fans are no strangers to the Tunny family of Indianapolis. However, an incident in the 50th Annual 3-Hour Figure 8 Championship cost one of the generational drivers a little too much.

As reported by Brayton Laster on X, Dana Tunny was taken to jail on September 13, after the 50th Annual 3-Hour Figure 8 Championship at Indianapolis Speedrome erupted into violence in its closing minutes. Inmate Database search results show that the 35-year-old faces two preliminary charges: Criminal Mischief, Class A Misdemeanor, and Criminal Recklessness, Level 6 Felony.

The report does not yet mention a projected release date, which is subject to change, nor does it state any hearing information. The incident began with contact between lead-lap contenders and escalated into a confrontation involving drivers and their crew, and at the center of it all were the Tunny brothers.

With ten minutes remaining, Jeffrey Shackelford, the track champion driving the No. 28, had made contact with Mark Tunny, who was behind the wheel of the No. 3T. They were still battling for the lead with roughly four minutes left when Tunny made contact with Shackelford and spun him. That incident appeared to be a normal racing exchange. But things took a turn for worse soon.

Dana Tunny, driving car #T8, who was more than 200 laps down, came across the track and directly hit Shackelford’s car. He then came around once again and again hit #28 at the front. The move immediately escalated the situation. Shackelford climbed from his car and confronted Dana, kicking him, throwing his helmet on him, as the fight turned physical. However, Dana remained in his car, until, he decided to avenge himself.

According to an Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department report, Dana later swerved toward Shackelford’s crew in the pits, triggering a massive fight involving over 400 people. In the pit, too, people were seen hitting the T8 car. The incident was especially striking because of what the Tunnys mean to the event.

The Tunnys of Indianapolis and their legacy

Dana Tunny, the 2023 Bobby Ellett Memorial Rookie of the Year, is a third-generation racer with multiple podium finishes on his young career’s home track Figure 8 racing resume. His brother, Mark, for whom he faced Shackelford, is the reigning World Figure 8 Champion and top rookie in 2003. He hoped to win a record-tying 6th crown in 2026. But they weren’t the only Tunny’s in last night’s race.

Ben Tunny is a four-time World Figure 8 Champion. Then there is Austin Tunny has won the event twice and Jesse Tunny, the 2020 World Figure 8 Champion and a five-time Speedrome Outlaw Figure 8 track champion. But their careers began with their fathers.

Dana and Mark’s father is Bruce Tunny, who was the top rookie in 1983. Meanwhile, Austin, Jesse, and Ben are late William (Bill) Jr.’s sons. The Tunnys are royalty at ‘8’ and have raced here for at least five decades, easily winning over 160 feature races. And so, even now, they continue to race the challenging Figure 8 races.

The thrill of Figure 8 races turned into an important part of legacy for the Tunnys in 2013

Figure 8 racing is unlike a conventional oval race. Cars race around a track that crosses over itself, creating a central intersection where competitors can encounter one another at high speed. Drivers must manage traffic, positioning, and timing for the entire event while anticipating cars approaching from multiple directions. This year marked the 50th running of the event and carried a $50,000 winner’s payout, adding even more significance to an already demanding contest. But for the Tunnys, it was much more.

In the summer of 2012, Bill Tunny Jr. was diagnosed with small-cell lung cancer. Despite numerous chemotherapy and radiation treatments, it spread to his brain in 2013 and he received 24-hour care. Via donation links, the Tunny family tried to raise money for alternative treatments that their health insurance did not cover. But in December 2013, they received the bad news.

Bill Jr. passed away at the age of 55, 19 days ahead of his 56th birthday. The former World Figure 8 Champion was inducted into the Indianapolis Speedrome Hall of Fame in August of 2014. He was vastly known as “the man with no fear.” His children and family are now hoping to continue that very legacy. But the recent incident of fighting for the family has cost Dana some time in jail. Latest updates are not out as of now.