Harvick WILL be parked for Martinsville

MountaineerTom · April 14, 2002

From Jayski's

Harvick may get out of line sometimes, but I have to say I agree with RCR on the statement about keeping punishments seperate between the different series. :plainsmile:

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Winston Cup driver #29-Kevin Harvick has been "parked" by NASCAR officials and will not be allowed to drive in Sunday's Virginia 500 at Martinsville Speedway, NASCAR officials confirmed Sunday morning. A formal announcement of the action is expected at the track Sunday morning. Kenny Wallace will drive Harvick's #29 GM Goodwrench Chevy Sunday. He would have to start at the rear of the field since he did not qualify the car. Harvick's "parking" - defined in the NASCAR rulebook as an emergency action that is "final, non-appealable and non-reviewable" - comes in response to NASCAR officials' demand he park his truck after spinning Coy Gibbs in Saturday's CTS race at Martinsville. Harvick and Gibbs tangled on the track several times over the course of several laps. Gibbs spun Harvick one time exiting Turn 4. Following a caution on Lap 188, Harvick rammed Gibbs' rear bumper entering Turn 1 and finally spun him exiting Turn 2. NASCAR had enough, black-flagged Harvick and parked him for the day. Harvick parked his #6 Chevy in front of the Truck series hauler near pit road. He was told to report to the NASCAR hauler and met with series officials for nearly 90 minutes following the race. Harvick was already under probation from his post-race incident with Greg Biffle at the BGN race at Bristol last month. Harvick was fined $15,000 and placed on probation until Aug. 28. After Sunday's race, Harvick may receive a more traditional suspension, which could be appealed under NASCAR rules, sources said.(ThatsRacin.com), also see NASCAR.com: The Buzz: Harvick suspension imminent? and Harvick ordered to meet with NASCAR after incident. AND from the Kenny Wallace site: An emergency call sends Kenny Wallace to Martinsville. NASCAR and Richard Childress called DEI to release Wallace for the Martinsville race. Wallace drove to Martinsville and is staying with bother Rusty for the night.AND RacingOne.com reports that a press conference with #29 car owner Richard Childress was scheduled for 9: 00am/et at Martinsville Speedway, while Harvick was to address the media at 10: 00am/et.AND NASCAR.com announces: Harvick not allowed to drive in Virginia 500: NASCAR's statement: "NASCAR officials have announced they have "parked" NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick until the conclusion of the Virginia 500 NASCAR Winston Cup event at Martinsville Speedway. Harvick, on probation following an incident at Bristol Motor Speedway March 23 for actions during a NASCAR Busch Series event, was parked during Saturday's Advance Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event. That time has been extended, preventing him, but not the No. 29 RCR Winston Cup team, from participating through the completion of the event at Martinsville."(4-14-2002)

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Statement from Richard Childress regarding NASCAR's "Parking" of Kevin Harvick:

"NASCAR had to do something in response to Kevin's actions during the Truck race yesterday, but I think their response was completely wrong. I have not seen the clip of Kevin's actions during the Truck race so I can't comment on what he did. He has had problems in the Busch and Truck Series and had been on probation for his actions, but the decision to 'park' him during the Winston Cup race is wrong. NASCAR should keep the actions and punishments separate to each series. This should be Kevin's punishment only, but what NASCAR is doing is punishing the tens of thousands of race fans who probably didn't know until they got to the track this morning that Kevin won't be allowed to race today. NASCAR is also punishing the entire No. 29 team and all of Richard Childress Racing for one person's actions. NASCAR is also punishing GM Goodwrench Service, who has been nothing but loyal to RCR and the sport for many years. This is only my opinion. I will sit down with Kevin Monday morning to discuss what happened and how we will proceed from here."(RCR PR)(4-14-2002)

antig24 · April 14, 2002

:angry: This is not fair, what Harvick did in the truck race should not effect what happens in the cup race, I feel sorry for all of those Harvick fans at the race who don't get to see him run. The punishment should be in the series that the incident occured in. At least Kenny Wallace is running instead of Harvick and not some idiot :angry:

LarryE · April 14, 2002

That's Bull####, Nascar has turned into a bunch of pussies since we lost Dale. Harvick is doing nothing Big E wouldn't do to win, and it's damn stupid that they are treating him like #### for doing it.

Big Mistake Nascar BIG BIG Mistake

April 14, 2002

I agree with NASCAR's decision. Harvick is a great driver and I am a big fan, but he needs to be controlled. I said in an earlier post that if NASCAR wanted to stop this kind of behavior, all they have to do is park one driver for one race.

I'll bet a paycheck that NASCAR never has a problem with KH again.

If KH comes in second in the points race, RCR can look right at him and say, "See what your stupid temper cost us?"

Elwood · April 14, 2002

That's Bull####, Nascar has turned into a bunch of pussies since we lost Dale.

Nascar was that way before Dale passed on. They always find one person to pick on and keep doing it. At one time that person was Dale.

Harvick isn't acting any different than Dale did at that age, or DW, or how Yarborough and the Allisons used to act.

NASCAR's decision to make the punishment crossover to another series is plain stupid. For their sake I hope they stay consistent with this.....if someone else wrecks someone in retliation later in the season and isn't parked for that race and the next one (no matter what series that next race may be in) there will surely be alot of controversy.

But what do you expect from NASCAR officials, they never do anything consistent or that makes sense. :angry: