Chuck D Sues Publishing Company ... You Stole From Me!!!
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Chuck D is suing his record label ... claiming they stole over a million dollars in commissions, as well as a substantial portion of his music publishing catalog.
In the lawsuit -- obtained by TMZ -- the Public Enemy MC says after he signed with Reach Global Music and Terrordome Music Publishing in 2001, they took advantage of his lack of business acumen and screwed him out of tons of cash and the rights to his songs.
In the docs, Chuck D claims the record label's created a complex master plan to hide money from him ... including what he says were hidden transactions, false and fraudulent copyright registrations and accounting tricks.
According to the suit, Chuck D says he only became aware of the scheme against him in February, when he finally got his hands on some of the documents that he claims were used to defraud him. Chuck D claims he's lost a 42% stake in his music catalog, as it existed in 2012, forever.
Chuck D is going after the labels for damages in excess of $1 mil ... and he wants full ownership of his songs.
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YouTube's 'King of Random' Grant Thompson Dead at 38 ... Paragliding Accident
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Grant Thompson -- the creator and star of the viral YouTube series "King of Random" -- died this week after a paragliding accident in Utah ... according to his family.
Grant's brother, Mark, tells TMZ ... the YouTuber went paragliding Monday evening, but never returned home. Mark says Grant's body was discovered by authorities Tuesday, and that the family is still being briefed on what exactly happened.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office says a report came in Monday of an overdue paraglider, who'd gone off the radar near the Sand Hollow State Park. They say the caller reported the paraglider should have returned an hour earlier, and he couldn't be reached on his cellphone. The call triggered a massive search.
Grant's coordinates were pulled from GPS data, and a helicopter located his body that night. WCSO says detectives found paragliding equipment at the crash site, as well as a video recording device ... which they're reviewing to determine cause.
Mark tells us that Grant got into paragliding around 5 months ago. He had an affinity for skydiving, flying and other airborne activities.
Grant started his YouTube channel in 2010, documenting experiments, life hacks and random weekend projects. King of Random amassed more than 11 million subscribers and nearly 2.5 billion views total. His was the 321st most subscribed to channel on YouTube.
It appears Grant took something of a backseat on his series as of late. Two new hosts have been fronting the video experiments for a while.
YouTube commented on Grant's death as well, saying ... "We're deeply saddened to learn of the tragic loss of Grant Thompson, a gifted, passionate and endlessly curious creator. We send our deepest condolences to his loving family, The King of Random team and fans."
He was 38. RIP
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Mike Fleiss, Wife Laura Domestic Violence Restraining Order Dropped ... Divorce Settled
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'Bachelor' creator Mike Fleiss has fully settled his divorce case with wife Laura, and she has dismissed her domestic violence claim against him.
Laura, who is 11 weeks pregnant with their second child, alleged in legal docs he demanded she get an abortion and attacked her. She got an emergency temporary restraining order, and a hearing was set for August 6. Fleiss denied her allegations and claimed she physically attacked him.
We've learned, a week ago Saturday, they negotiated all day and have now formally struck a deal. Laura will get $10 million, and she and Mike will get joint custody of their 4-year-old son. They will share equal 50/50 legal and physical custody.
Sources connected to the couple tell TMZ, there was a prenup and Laura did better financially than she would have under the prenup, but not as well as she would have done had their been none. We're told Fleiss makes between $20 and $30 million a year.
As part of the deal, Laura has entirely dropped her claims of domestic violence and the restraining order has been extinguished.
They have been married for 5 years.
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Roman Reigns WWE or Acting?!? That's An Easy Answer!!!
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Breath easy, WWE fans ... Roman Reigns ain't leaving wrestling for his budding acting career. At least not yet.
Roman joined "TMZ Live" Tuesday and dude couldn't looked more HYPED talking about his role on "Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw." If you've been living under a rock ... 'Hobbs & Shaw' is the first 'Furious' spin-off starring Roman's cousin, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Jason Statham.
It's Roman's first acting gig in Hollywood so naturally we had to ask -- if he had to choose, which route would he go, wrestling or Hollywood? The 34-year-old wrestler didn't skip a beat ... telling us he's got at LEAST 5 years left in the ring.
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
'Hobbs & Shaw' has been highly anticipated for some time now and no doubt it has huge blockbuster potential with Friday's opening around the corner. But, does the film have enough horsepower to take down "The Lion King" and its MASSIVE $192 million opening weekend?
Roman's answer shows he's loyal, if nothing else.
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Machine Gun Kelly Swedish Fish Are Canceled ... Until A$AP's Free!!!
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Machine Gun Kelly wants to send a message to Sweden about the way it's treating A$AP Rocky by hitting the country where it hurts -- candy sales, baby.
The "I Think I'm OKAY" rapper seems pretty frickin' far from okay with what's happening with Rocky, whose trial for assault started Tuesday after his nearly month-long ordeal sitting in a Swedish jail.
MGK tells us it's messed up and Rocky should be freed, and he's willing to start a boycott of Swedish products and companies until it happens.
In fact, he officially declares that nation's famous chewy, red, fish-shaped candy canceled until A$AP's released ... but there's another company based in Sweden he's not so bold to boycott.
By the way, sorry to break the news to MGK -- and our photog, for that matter -- but Swedish Fish aren't even made in Sweden anymore. The candy's owned by Cadbury and manufactured in Canada.
It's the thought that counts.
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Dallas Cowboys Sued Accused of Police Cover-up ... In Zeke Elliott Crash
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6:16 PM PT -- The Frisco Police Department released a statement in response to the lawsuit on Tuesday ... denying the allegations.
"Both parties to the crash were offered medical attention and both refused. Emergency medical services were not requested by either party. Neither party was treated or transported."
The Dallas Cowboys conspired with police to cover up info from a 2017 car crash that would have sidelined Ezekiel Elliott from a crucial NFL playoff game ... so says a new lawsuit obtained by TMZ Sports.
The suit stems from a January 11, 2017 car crash -- 4 days before the Cowboys played the Packers in an NFC Divisional Round game -- when Zeke slammed a GMC Yukon into a BMW 750 driven by Ronnie Hill on his way to the Cowboys practice facility.
Hill claims Zeke was obviously at fault because the running back was running late to practice and had "barreled through a red light" -- causing more than $33,000 in damage to Hill's vehicle. Hill claims he suffered "serious and permanent" injuries in the wreck.
Hill says the impact of the collision was so intense, the two vehicles were "wedged together" and they needed a tow truck to pull them apart.
At the time, the Frisco Police Dept. put out a statement describing the incident as a "minor vehicle crash" ... but Hill says that's a crock of BS.
In fact, Hill claims the Dallas Cowboys "conspired with the Frisco Police Dept. to cover up the severity of the accident to assure that Elliott's health would not be placed in question before their playoff game."
According to Hill's suit, "If anyone had actually reported the impact of the accident and had Elliott been examined he would have most likely been placed in concussion protocol and out for the Dallas Cowboys upcoming playoff game."
In his suit, filed by attorney Larry Friedman, Hill claims Dallas Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown had raced to the scene of the accident and told Hill, "We will take care of everything."
Hill claims the Cowboys did NOT take care of anything -- and he's suing both Zeke and the Cowboys for $20 MILLION in damages.
By the way, the Cowboys ended up LOSING the playoff game 34 to 31 ... but Zeke played great, rushing for 125 yards on 22 carries.
We reached out to the Frisco PD and the Dallas Cowboys for comment -- so far, no word from either side. A rep for Elliott had no comment.
We spoke to Hill's attorney, Larry Friedman, who tells us, "Ezekiel Elliott believes he's above the law. He doesn't follow any rules. As a citizen and a member of our community he has a duty to obey the law and act responsibly, especially while driving a motor vehicle."
Friedman adds, "There are no exemptions for running backs or members of the Dallas Cowboys."
"He has admitted liability in this case but refuses to take responsibility as he has refused to take responsibility on so many other occasions when he has disobeyed the law."
"My client is suing for compensation for his injuries and wants his day in court."
Originally published -- 12:29 PM PT
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Kenya Moore Ex-BF Arrested in AZ ... Allegedly Punched Girlfriend in Face
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12:10 PM PT -- TMZ got a hold of Matt's arrest report, and it sounds like he allegedly got physical with his current girlfriend. According to the document, the woman, Valerie Bell, claims Matt punched her in the face at a Denny's parking lot in the early hours of Saturday morning -- this in the presence of a second woman, who says she witnessed it go down.
The witness also told cops that Matt got super close to her, snatched her cigarettes -- including one in her mouth -- and tried chucking them on the roof.
When officers arrived, they say Matt had already left -- but Valerie called cops a few hours later in Maricopa to say he had circled back to her home, and the police eventually found and arrested him. Upon arrest, cops say they discovered a warrant for the other April incident. He was arrested without incident, per the report.
Kenya Moore's ex-boyfriend, Matt Jordan, was hauled in by cops in Arizona over the weekend for a list of alleged crimes, which include assault and theft.
The former 'Real Housewives' star was booked Saturday in Pinal County for trespassing, plus 3 separate charges -- aggravated assault, theft and threatening/intimidating with damage to property -- which stem from an arrest warrant issued in Maricopa County.
Matt's bail was set at $3,250, but no one's paid it -- he's still in custody, and has a hearing this week to face the charges.
As for how all this got started, court docs show the initial incident allegedly went down back in April -- but, apparently, Matt never showed up in court to deal with it. He got nabbed for trespassing Saturday, which revealed the outstanding warrant.
The guy is a 'RHOA' notorious for a number of reasons, but he's probably best remembered as the one who brawled with fellow reality star Peter Thomas, who Matt claimed had a weapon on him ... believed to be a box cutter or knife of some sort.
Kenya also got a restraining order against Matt in 2017, after claiming he was hounding and harassing her by calling her up to 30 times a day and allegedly threatening her.
Originally Published -- 11:09 AM PT
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Tisha Campbell Ex Claims She's Mentally Unstable Her Friends Say It's 'Nonsense'
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Tisha Campbell's nasty divorce from Duane Martin seems to have hit a new low -- he says she's accusing him of stealing, but only because she's having mental breakdowns.
Duane makes the claims in new divorce docs -- obtained by TMZ -- saying he's concerned about her mental and emotional well-being. In the docs, Duane says Tisha had multiple breakdowns, including a "severe" episode back in August 2017, and she's become paranoid and anxious.
Tisha's ex also claims she's not herself anymore, and says she's been "fabricating stories that clearly are untrue." Duane also claims she's been "raging" against others.
According to the docs, Duane's legal team had to take breaks during Tisha's deposition because she was unable to control her emotions.
A source close to Tisha calls the new allegations "nonsense" and a continuation of the "gaslighting" he did to her throughout their marriage. We're also told Tisha's working on a new sitcom set to debut in the fall, plus a couple of high-profile reality shows.
Point being ... she's doing just fine post-Duane.
As we reported ... back in February, Tisha and Duane reached a temporary custody deal for handling exchanges of their kids. At the time, it seemed like a promising sign in their nasty split.
So much for those good vibes.
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Damian Marley Joins Hawaiian Telescope Protests ... 'Stand Up For Your Rights!!!'
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Damian Marley is joining the heated protests over new construction atop Hawaii's tallest mountain ... and he's doing it with some Bob Marley classics.
Damian and thousands of protesters continued putting on the pressure to halt the construction of a 30-meter telescope on Mauna Kea. Damian, who has been visiting Hawaii for nearly three decades, visited the base of the mountain over the weekend to put on a show.
We're told Damian spoke to the masses and reminded them the work they're doing is immensely important. He also told them he can relate ... due to a similar situation that went down in Jamaica when some Rastafarians were pushed out of their sacred land.
As we reported ... Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson joined the group last week. Native Hawaiian groups are worried the construction will harm a site they consider sacred.
We're told Damian, who had recently performed shows in Maui and Oahu ... decided to get over to the Big Island to hang with protesters for several hours. He performed some of his own songs along with some of his father's legendary tracks, including "Get Up, Stand Up" -- a worldwide anthem for human rights. He also performed "Crazy Baldheads" and "Positive Vibration."
Watch the crowd's reaction ... serious Marley motivation.
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A$AP Rocky Alleged Victim Takes The Stand ... I Thought I Was Gonna Die!!!
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9:09 AM PT -- A$AP's lawyer, Slobodan Jovicic, says the alleged victim's testimony went as expected and referred to him as a storyteller ... adding he plans to go at him Thursday during cross-examination.
Jovicic says A$AP's legal team will be calling 2 witnesses to the stand -- the bodyguard and another person who "saw something interesting."
As for the bottle allegedly used by Rocky ... his lawyer says they'll be able to show it was not used in the way prosecutors are claiming. He adds that A$AP's been living under a "dark cloud" of this case and his team is thankful there's plenty of video footage other than the initial street fight to tell the full story.
7:56 AM PT -- The trial just wrapped for the day ... with Rocky's alleged victim taking the stand. The alleged victim told the court that during the attack, he thought Rocky and his accomplices were going to kill him. He says he's had nightmares since the incident and the injuries to his hands left him unable to work.
The alleged victim also stated the video of the attack that circulated has damaged his reputation ... and reports he was high on drugs during the incident simply weren't true.
According to a reporter inside the courtroom, Oscar Schau, Rocky and the other men arrested with him sat silently and looked on as the victim spoke.
The trial will resume in Sweden on Thursday.
6:02 AM PT -- A$AP's lawyer told the judges the rapper was not the one who kicked or punched the alleged victim once he was on the ground. The lawyer also added Rocky laid hands on the guy because he felt his bodyguard was in danger. As you see from the video, the alleged victim struck the bodyguard in the head with his headphones.
As for the claim of prosecutors Rocky stomped on the guy with broken glass on his shoe, Rocky's lawyer said the bottle was crushed behind Rocky, he didn't know it was there and it ended up on his shoe.
A$AP Rocky is finally getting his day in court ... entering a not guilty plea in a Swedish court, and his family's also there showing support.
A$AP's mother, Renee Black, was escorted through the crowd of reporters, photographers and onlookers outside the Stockholm courthouse Tuesday morning.
Once the trial began, the rapper's attorney told the judge A$AP is pleading not guilty to assault, and said his client was acting in self-defense.
The trial is continuing ... so check back here for updates. The trial could go for up to 2 more days, but it's unclear if prosecutors and A$AP's team will need that much time to present their cases.
As you know ... A$AP has been in custody since early July, getting detained after turning himself in to Swedish authorities following a street brawl in the nation's capital. He was officially charged with assault last week, and he faces a maximum sentence of 2 years in prison.
However, the prosecutor told TMZ he will NOT recommend the full 2 year sentence if A$AP is convicted. A panel of 4 judges will hear the case, and at least 3 of them must rule an assault was committed for a conviction. In the event of a tie, the prosecutor can ask for a new trial. If A$AP is convicted, a judge will decide his sentence a week later.
As we've reported ... the man who attacked Rocky's crew in Stockholm will NOT be prosecuted for any crime, even though video appears to show the alleged victim, Mustafa Jafari, actually inciting the violence by harassing A$AP and his crew.
In the first video from the incident ... you clearly see Jafari strike A$AP's bodyguard in the head with a pair of headphones. Meanwhile, A$AP played peacemaker, trying to defuse the situation and saying no one wants to go to jail.
'Zoey 101' Cast Reunites Amid Reboot Rumors ... Jamie Lynn Couldn't Make it
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The potential "Zoey 101" reboot is getting the old gang back together -- and they really, REALLY want to see Jamie Lynn Spears ... in person, and hopefully on set.
A bunch of cast members from the hit Nickelodeon fave reunited Monday night in L.A. for a flashback dinner with the show's creator Dan Schneider in attendance as well. Some of the stars who showed up ... Chris Massey, Sean Flynn, Victoria Justice, Matt Underwood, Abby Wilde, Paul Butcher, Jack Salvatore and Erin Sanders.
We're told they met at The Front Yard in North Hollywood around 8 PM. Looks like it was a wine and dine affair.
Schneider wrote on Instagram, "Some Zoey 101 buzz got me talking with my good friend Sean Flynn (“Chase”)… and within about 72 hours, this happened! I’m not sure how I feel about my new glasses, but that was one of the most fun nights ever."
Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media.
He added, "A wonderful cast of kids then, and even better all grown up! Much love/respect for all of you! Jamie Lynn is busy shooting her new show in Atlanta. We missed you, congrats!"
As he notes, Jamie Lynne couldn't make the meetup -- Austin Butler didn't show either, he's busy these days too -- but it's clear JLS wanted to be there.
Jamie posted a video she received from her old crew, in which they told her they loved her and missed her ... and hoped to see her soon. The implication is clear -- "Zoey 101" is itching to run it back for a new show, which might very well happen.
TMZ broke the story ... Jamie Lynn has been in talks with Nickelodeon execs over reviving the teen dramedy that she starred in back in the 2000s. It would focus on her life 10 years later, and she'd have a couple kids in the show ... just like real life.
The push is on, as far as Jamie's costars are concerned! #BringBackZoey
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Neymar Rape Investigation Closed ... 'Lack of Evidence'
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Huge development in the Neymar rape investigation in Brazil ... where cops have ended their probe into the soccer superstar due to "lack of evidence."
But, the 27-year-old isn't out of the woods yet ... cops are sending their findings over to the Sao Paulo Attorney General's Office which will have 15 days to decide if Neymar should be charged with a crime.
But, the fact cops haven't found overwhelming evidence against Neymar is a good indication that prosecutors will likely NOT move forward with the case.
As we previously reported, Brazilian model Najila Trindade had claimed Neymar sexually assaulted her back in May at a hotel in Paris.
In early June, Neymar published a 7-minute video professing his innocence -- and showing WhatsApp messages between the two in an effort to prove that "nothing really happened."
Neymar also claimed he was being extorted by the woman.
For her part, she has accused the Brazilian police of being corrupt and helping to cover up evidence ... saying, "The police are bought, aren't they? Or am I crazy?"
The Sao Paulo Police are expected to address the media later Tuesday -- we'll have more when that happens.
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Nicki Minaj and Fiance We Got Our Marriage License ... In Los Angeles
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Nicki Minaj and her fiance took a big step toward the altar, because we've learned the couple just got a marriage license in Los Angeles, although it's all on the down low.
Sources with knowledge tell TMZ ... Nicki and Kenneth Petty took a trip together to the Bev Hills Courthouse Monday. Witnesses say they saw Nicki and her boo at the marriage license bureau window, and they got the paperwork they need to tie the knot.
Nicki and Kenneth were trying to keep a low profile inside the courthouse as they waited in line at window that read, "marriage licenses and ceremony appts. ONLY" ... and Kenneth paid for the license before they left. Nicki was wearing a ball cap, but it's hard to hide that knee-length bright red 'do.
It's interesting ... back in June, Nicki said on her "Queen Radio" show that she and Kenneth had already gotten their marriage license.
No word on when Nicki and Kenneth will make it official ... but typically the license is pulled shortly before the nuptials. A marriage license is good for a maximum of 90 days.
Nicki and Kenneth began dating last year after rekindling their flame from their teen years.
This will be Nicki's first marriage.
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A$AP Rocky Alleged Victim's Key Witness Arrested For Theft, Cops Say He Was Armed
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One of the men testifying against A$AP Rocky in Sweden -- a witness to the street brawl -- has his own serious legal trouble, but, mysteriously, his case seems to now be on the back burner.
As we previously reported, A$AP's alleged victim, Mustafa Jafari -- the guy in the video who got tossed like a rag doll -- was convicted of assault in 2016 for striking a guy in the face on the streets of Stockholm.
JULY 2019
Now, we've learned Jafari's buddy, Dawod Hosseini -- who's set to take the stand in support of Jafari -- was just arrested this month for theft. In fact, Hosseini was busted 2 weeks AFTER A$AP was hauled into custody.
According to legal docs, obtained by TMZ, Hosseini was arrested July 19 for shoplifting two high-priced jackets from a Swedish clothing store. The docs also say cops found a knife on him during the arrest.
Hosseini's remained in custody ever since then, but he's scheduled to testify in Rocky's 3-day trial, which begins Tuesday. Sources familiar tell us Hosseini's own trial has been delayed just so he can weigh-in on A$AP's case, as a witness for the prosecution.
Ya gotta think both men -- Hosseini and Jafari -- will be vulnerable, to say the least, if the judge permits A$AP's attorneys to raise their records during cross examination. Remember, there's already the video showing Jafari using headphones to strike one of A$AP's bodyguards before the all-out brawl started.
A$AP, who's being prosecuted for assault, has been locked up since July 3. He's facing a max sentence of 2 years in prison, but the the lead prosecutor has said he wouldn't recommend that.
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Lil Pump I Love LeBron and Expensive Purses ... Now Watch Me Ball Out!
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This clip has it all ...
-- A fired up Lil Pump clappin' back at LeBron James haters.
-- Lil Pump showing off his brand new, expensive Louis Vuitton purse
-- Lil Pump giving away $100 bills to strangers in Beverly Hills because he feels like it!
ESSKEEEETIT!!!!!
The rapper was leaving Mastro's Steakhouse in Bev Hills Monday night when we asked the massive NBA fan how he felt about people giving LeBron a hard time for celebrating on the court at his son's youth hoops game over the weekend.
"LEBRON CAN DO WHATEVER THE F*CK HE WANTS BECAUSE HE IS LEBRON JAMES, B*TCH!"
.@KingJames was so hype that he lost his shoe 😂😭
— Complex Sneakers (@ComplexSneakers) July 28, 2019 @ComplexSneakers
🎥: @ballislife pic.twitter.com/s4QwshpJ7p
Pump also went to bat for Carmelo Anthony -- saying the guy deserves a spot on Team USA.
But, the best part of the video is when Pump flaunts his goodies from his Rodeo Drive shopping spree ... a super expensive designer hand bag that he drops on the floor because Pump DON'T CARE!!
And, the curbside free cash giveaway is fun too.
Dude can afford it -- remember the 18-year-old reportedly signed that $8 million contract with Warner Bros. in 2018?!?
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Tony Stewart Punches Fan In Face In Race Track Fight ... Caught On Video
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NASCAR legend Tony Stewart straight-up socked a heckler in the jaw at a racetrack Friday night ... and the entire incident was caught on camera.
48-year-old Stewart -- a 3-time NASCAR Cup Series champ -- was driving in a sprint car race in Jackson, Minnesota when he claims his engine blew out on him after just one lap.
A ton of fans flocked to the track to see the race star drive that night -- the Jackson Motorplex even advertised it as "Tony Stewart Night" -- so Tony stuck around afterward to sign some autographs.
That's when a heckler came up to Stewart -- and according to one eye witness, Brandon Woehl -- began cussing out Smoke for "quitting" only one lap into the race.
"F*ck you, Tony," the heckler allegedly said ... "You piece of sh*t. You come here and basically race for one lap and quit, you piece of sh*t."
That's when Woehl says Tony responded, firing back, "I blew my engine, you f*cking asshole. Do you want to pay for it?"
The two traded a few more barbs ... with Stewart deciding to unleash a single-barrel salute to the heckler with his left hand.
In the video, you can hear the heckler's response, because he screams back at Stewart, "Hey, Tony, I got two of them" while flipping him off with BOTH hands.
Stewart immediately lost his cool and went after the guy ... and in the video, you can hear Tony's left fist collide with the heckler's face!!!
Woehl claims Tony said after the punch, "F*ck, I broke my hand."
Woehl also says members of Tony's camp took him away from scene almost immediately after the incident ... while the heckler was ushered away by event security.
Cops tell TMZ Sports they were NOT called to the scene ... and, instead, they say the matter was handled internally by race track officials. They say no formal complaints against the driver have been filed.
We've reached out to Tony's camp multiple times, but so far, no official comment.
Stewart -- who retired from NASCAR following the 2016 season -- now spends a ton of time racing in small events throughout the country. He's also the co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing.
Tony is set to be inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020.