Crashes are not uncommon during stock car races, but the police say two in quick succession at Twin State Speedway in Claremont last month were not accidents.

They have charged driver Robin Blake of Unity with two felonies.

Blake, 41, is accused of intentionally crashing his No. 9 car into cars driven by brothers David Bly and Ricky Bly during the Sept. 8 Street Stock championship, the season finale at the mile oval.

The first contact, which did not result in charges, was Blake's No. 9 car striking David Bly's No. 29, according to police Det. Shawn Hallock, who was working at the track and saw it happen.

Officials quickly displayed a warning flag, which meant drivers had to slow to 30 mph and form a single line. Instead, the police say, Blake drove his car side-by-side with Ricky Bly's No. 28 car. In court papers, Hallock said the cars rubbed together before turning sharply and spinning out into the infield grass.

Hallock stayed busy afterward in the pit area trying to keep the Bly team away from the crew for Blake's No. 9 car. Hallock did not see the next crash, but witnesses said Blake sped from the infield onto the track and crashed into the side of David Bly's car.

"David told me he could see the Blake car drive across the grass heading straight toward his door," Hallock wrote in court papers. "David added that if he didn't stomp on the gas, Blake would have hit him directly in the door."

Blake's nephew, Ryan Bell, also drove in the race.

Ricky Bly told the Eagle Times of Claremont he has had a few run-ins with Bell's father, Dennis, who believes the Bly brothers are too rough on the track.

If the crashes weren't accidents, they weren't total surprises, either. According to police, track officials met with David Bly and Ryan Bell just before the race because of a rumor that Bell planned to wreck Bly's car during the race. The two were warned to keep their personal issues off the track.

Blake, who could not be reached for comment, is charged with reckless conduct and criminal mischief, each punishable by 3 to 7 years in prison.

As tempers flared, the race was halted for a time and Hallock had to call for backup. When the race eventually resumed, David Bly won and brother Ricky finished second.