Kenseth and Harvick penalized by NASCAR

Elwood · June 15, 2004

June 14, 2004

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) -- Matt Kenseth and Kevin Harvick were penalized for bumping each other at the end of the Pocono 500.

With Sunday's race about to end under caution, Harvick spun Kenseth into the infield in Turn 3 on Lap 197. Kenseth then did the same to Harvick on the backstretch on the next lap.

Both Kenseth, the 2003 series champion, and Harvick were interviewed after the race by NASCAR officials, who then dropped them to 20th and 21st. Harvick originally finished 11th, and Kenseth had finished 10th.

More penalties could be coming later this week, NASCAR president Mike Helton said.

``It boils down to a frustration level between the 17 (Kenseth) and the 29 (Harvick) that got played out on the racetrack, under caution, and that's something we frown on ... greatly,'' Helton said.

Kenseth would not comment, but Harvick said: ``I don't know what his deal is. I raced him clean and cleared him and he got up underneath me and tore my back bumper.

``Then under caution, he brake-checked me and spun himself out. I don't know why he decided to try and wreck me. He needs to check his ego because it's getting too big.''

Firetiger(MN) · June 15, 2004

Yeah, that's old news. Lets get to the fines and points!

Elwood · June 15, 2004

10 spots in the finishing order is alot of points and money, I guess that will be it.

Firetiger(MN) · June 16, 2004

That punishment was announced shortly after the race on Sunday. NASCAR said there could be more later in the week.

I wonder if they'll be more severe. After the last two blunderous weeks and fuming fans, I would think they'd have to be careful not to piss off any more (Harvick and Kenseth fans). They need all the support they can get at this point.

All this mess, aside from the incident with Harvick and Kenseth, could have been avoided if they wouldn't have messed with the rules. No racing back to the caution, open pits, closed pits, aero packages changing monthly, etc. The sanctioning body has turned the sport into a circus show. I'm a diehard race fan, and have been for many years, but this is getting rediculous. I just don't think they thought these "knee-jerk reaction" rules through enough.

All they need to do now is announce the move of the All-Star race to a rotating location and that will be about the final nail in the perverbial coffin.

Stay tuned to "And as Nascar Crumbles" for the thrilling conclusion......

Or maybe it should be "As the Toilet Circles"

Elwood · June 16, 2004

UPDATE ON PENALTIES:

Harvick, Kenseth fined $25,000 for bumping incident

June 16, 2004

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Ticker) - Drivers Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth each were fined $25,000 on Wednesday for a bumping incident in Sunday's Pocono 500.

NASCAR officials also placed both drivers on probation until August 11.

Harvick finished 20th and Kenseth 21st in Sunday's race at Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The incident took place during the final caution period of the race, which extended from lap 197 to 200.

The race was won by Jimmie Johnson.