Harvick

Elwood · April 15, 2002

I just heard on Inside Winston Cup that NASCAR has siad that he will be fined sometime this week. There was no mention of him being parked next week, they talked like he would be running at Talledega.

I heard Jr. say on Totally NASCAR that he thought it was the right thing to do. He said maybe it would calm down guys like himself who let their temper get away from them out there sometimes. Jimmy Spencer said nearly the same thing.

Elwood · April 15, 2002

UPDATE:

Harvick fined $35,000, probation extended

By JENNA FRYER

AP Sports Writer

April 15, 2002

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- NASCAR fined Kevin Harvick $35,000 on Monday and extended his probation until the end of the year for rough driving at Martinsville Speedway.

NASCAR also warned Harvick that further bad behavior would lead to a suspension.

``If there are any actions, in NASCAR's opinion, that are deemed detrimental to the sport or disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event, he will be suspended indefinitely,'' NASCAR said.

The action comes a day after the sanctioning body ``parked'' Harvick, forbidding him to drive in Sunday's Virginia 500. It was the first time in NASCAR's 54-year history of Winston Cup racing that a driver was forced to sit out a race as penalty for conduct on the track.

Harvick, already on probation until Aug. 28 for an altercation with Busch series driver Greg Biffle last month, was punished for an incident with Coy Gibbs during Saturday's truck race.

The two tangled over the course of the race and NASCAR drew the line when Harvick vowed to spin out Gibbs over his radio, then did by ramming his truck from behind entering the back straightaway.

Harvick was told to bring his truck off the track and report to the NASCAR hauler. He did, driving it straight up to the truck and parking it outside of NASCAR's door.

Typically, a driver brings his vehicle to its garage stall and walks over to the hauler when summoned.

NASCAR told Harvick he would not be allowed to drive in Sunday's Winston Cup race, a punishment car owner Richard Childress found to be unfair.

Childress agreed NASCAR should take action, but complained that the entire Cup team was penalized for Harvick's actions in the truck series. Harvick's wife, DeLana, owns the truck he occasionally drives.

``NASCAR is also punishing the entire No. 29 team and all of Richard Childress Racing for one person's actions.''

But in parking him, NASCAR sent a message to the 26-year-old driver that his actions will not be tolerated.

Since taking over for the late Dale Earnhardt last season, Harvick has drawn attention for both his driving skills and his hot temper. He became the first driver to run both a complete Busch series and Winston Cup schedule, winning the Busch title and earning rookie of the year honors in Cup.

But he clashed several times last season with Biffle in the Busch series and angered veterans in Cup for his aggressiveness. Some began calling him ``The Instigator'' -- a play off Earnhardt's nickname ``The Intimidator.''

Many in the garage area applauded NASCAR's action and said it was long overdue.

``He's lost the respect of a lot of people just from his childish behavior,'' Daytona 500 winner Ward Burton said.

April 16, 2002

I don't know why they bother fining him or any other drivers. That amount of money doesn't really mean anything.

Just tell him, "Okay numbnuts, this time it cost you one race, next time you'll sit out for five races. If it happens a third time, you'd better start looking towards Indy Cars, because you'll never drive in a NASCAR sanctioned race as long as you live. Not even a street stock on a dirt track!"

Dang, I'd make a good NASCAR Director of Competition, wouldn't I?!?!

Elwood · April 16, 2002

They told him that if anything else happens he is suspended indefinitely.

LarryE · April 16, 2002

No the problem is all this clean racing, clean racing is boring and puts me to sleep. Racing used to be getting around anyone any which way you could, no matter what you had to do to get around the guy in front of you, if they wrecked because of it tough luck, as Dale said "THATS RACING!"

April 16, 2002

No the problem is all this clean racing, clean racing is boring and puts me to sleep. Racing used to be getting around anyone any which way you could, no matter what you had to do to get around the guy in front of you, if they wrecked because of it tough luck, as Dale said "THATS RACING!"

That is true to a certain extent. Bumping someone out of the way or even spinning a competitor does NOT extend to taking out series regulars when you're a visitor. That's what KH did. He cannot be allowed to go and wreak havoc in the NCTS and BGN races just because he wants to run a race.

You notice that he doesn't pull that kind of crap on the WC regulars!

Elwood · April 16, 2002

I'll have to agree with Kenny Wallace on this one.....NASCAR is showing everyone that the WWF show is over. I also agree with Mark Martin......When you have all of these kids looking up to you and emulating you, you have to take responsibility. He said if he saw his kid trying to emulate Kevin Harvick he would bust their hine-end.

I like Harvick he's one of my favorite drivers, but I'm really starting to think they did the right thing entirely. If this calms down the intentional wrecking than good. Even Dale Jr, agrees that it is good and he needs calmed down himself.

I like the getting out and yelling, screaming, and shoving after the race is over out of the car. But someine is gonna get hurt bad if the wrecking intentionally keeps up.

MountaineerTom · April 16, 2002

...bust their hine-end.

It's hind-end, dummy. You should know that, yours was busted enough as a kid.

Elwood · April 16, 2002

...bust their hine-end.

It's hind-end, dummy. You should know that, yours was busted enough as a kid.

Actually, I do know that.......if you'll notice I misspell things like that on here all the time. I get typing too fast and hit a wrong key, and don't even realize it, I don't proof-read usually I just click add reply. I'm really just to dependent on MSWord pellcheck with the red squiggly line under it when you misspell a word.