ROSSBURG, Ohio — Eldora Speedway disqualified Bobby Pierce of Oakwood, Ill., from Thursday's competition after an apparent altercation between one of Pierce's crew members and a track worker, according to track general manager Roger Slack.

The 2016 World 100 winner, scheduled to start fifth Thursday in a heat race preceding the 51st annual World 100, won't be allowed to compete tonight.

Pierce will be cleared to return to competition for the 50th World 100 that's scheduled to start Friday with preliminary action and concludes with Saturday's $53,000-to-win finale, according to Slack.

In a statement on Facebook, Pierce acknowledged a crew member disobeyed the track's four-wheeler and other rules while he and other team members were asleep, adding that "I understand, as the driver I, am responsible for my crew," Pierce wrote, adding an apology "for any disturbance caused to Eldora Speedway (and) apologies to all the fans that wanted to see us race in the biggest race of the year."

Thursday's heat race lineups remain intact. Regarding Pierce’s disqualification, drivers set to start behind him on the inside row of Thursday’s third heat will each move up a row.

Pierce finished fourth in his 25-lap preliminary feature Wednesday and accrued the third highest points total among 80 entrants in Wednesday's competition.