Harvick gets NASCAR's message loud and clear

[Elwood]

Harvick gets NASCAR's message loud and clear

By JENNA FRYER

AP Sports Writer

April 16, 2002

 

 

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Kevin Harvick got the message.

 

NASCAR's decision to park him for a race was a wake-up call that his temper is getting the best of him, the 26-year-old driver said Tuesday.

 

Harvick, who was forbidden to race Sunday at Martinsville Speedway for rough driving, said it ``tore him up'' to watch from home as Kenny Wallace drove his car.

 

``I haven't been racing since I was 5 years old and made it this far in my career to throw it all away now,'' he said. ``Having to miss the race in Martinsville definitely got my attention.''

 

Harvick was sent home from Martinsville after spinning out Coy Gibbs during Saturday's truck race. The two had been bumping and banging during the course of the race and the final retaliatory spin by Harvick led NASCAR to call him off the track and to their hauler.

 

In another act of defiance, he pulled his truck up to the hauler, instead of taking it to its garage stall and walking over, as most drivers do. He also left it sitting there after NASCAR dismissed him.

 

So the sanctioning body forbade him from driving in Sunday's Winston Cup race and fined him $35,000 on Monday.

 

NASCAR also extended his probation, which was first handed down after he grabbed Busch series driver Greg Biffle in a post-race altercation last month, until the end of the year.

 

Harvick, who took over at Richard Childress Racing following Dale Earnhardt's death last year, said he is still feeling his way around the sport.

 

``I'm still learning how NASCAR works and what is involved in the decisions they make,'' he said. ``They are trying to create a fair playing field with those decisions and they're not out to get anyone. In all reality, you make and control your own destiny in this sport.''

 

Harvick has drawn attention in the past year for both his driving skills and his hot temper.

 

He became the first driver to run both a complete Busch series and a 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 Cup veterans for his aggressiveness. Some began calling him ``The Instigator'' -- a play off Earnhardt's nickname, ``The Intimidator.''

 

Harvick, who said several drivers called in the past few days to offer support and advice, also thanked his Winston Cup team and sponsor Tuesday for tolerating his actions and apologized to them for being punished for something they had nothing to do with. Harvick and his wife own the truck he occasionally races in that series.

 

``I wish that my team and GM Goodwrench Service weren't dragged into a situation that they had nothing to do with,'' he said. ``For that, I want to thank everyone at RCR and GM Goodwrench Service for sticking with me.''

[Guest Friz]

I'm proud of him that he took it like a man and didn't come out whining and complaining about the decision.

He may have a little growing up to do, but he is a true racer and a champion.

Now he just needs to come back and spank them hard at Talledega!