It's the very nature of Bristol, with its steep banks and close quarters, that tends to get drivers revved.As expected, NASCAR levied fines. Harvick drew the largest, $15,000, and is on probation until August 28, four days after the next Bristol race. Robby Gordon, who traded paint with Dale Earnhardt Jr. after Sunday's race, was fined $10,000 and also put on probation until August 28. Earnhardt was fined $5,000.
Earnhardt and Gordon traded bumps during Sunday's Winston Cup event, then Gordon ran into the rear of Earnhardt's Chevrolet on pit road after the race. Gordon said it was retaliation for Earnhardt's muscling him.
Kurt Busch won the Sunday race. In doing so, he bumped Spencer out of the way for the lead. Busch hit Spencer and moved him over to take the lead. Spencer took exception. "I passed him fair and square, and he just smashed into my back bumper," Spencer said. "That's OK, I never forget. When I smash him back, he won't finish the race we're running."
NASCAR did what was politically correct, although the fines were too stiff. Drivers cannot fight and purposely run into each other's cars, but there is nothing wrong with some good, old-fashioned feuding. It's been a part of racing since the very beginning. NASCAR realizes this, but it cannot afford to let the rough stuff get too far out of hand. You understand.
It was certainly an exciting weekend of racing. If every weekend was a Bristol, TV ratings would be higher than those top seats in the grandstands. Even NASCAR will admit that.
Benny Phillips lives in High Point, North Carolina, and has covered stock car racing for nearly 40 years.