DECADE IN REVIEW: NASCAR's best confrontations 2000-2009

By SceneDaily Staff

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Richard Childress Racing's Kevin Harvick (left) and Carl Edwards scuffle in the garage area at Lowe's Motor Speedway in 2008.

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Fans enjoy seeing the exchange of words, and sometimes bumpers, that become part of a feud between two drivers.

Sometimes these rivalries go on for years, while others are settled quickly and efficiently and moved into the past.

For those who think NASCAR drivers don’t get fired up and show enough emotion anymore, think again. They had their share of run-ins during the past decade. Here are those NASCAR Scene deemed the best confrontations of the decade:

Kurt Busch vs. Jimmy Spencer

Michigan, 2003

The yearlong feud escalates into a dented fender, a thrown punch and a bloody nose. A suspension, assault charges and Jerry Springer jokes follow.

Their take: “He comes up yelling, and I quote, ‘Get out of the car, little bitch. Let’s see what you’re made of.’” – Busch

“Kurt stopped [in the garage] because he was out of gas, and Jimmy had his way with him.” – Busch team owner Jack Roush

Kevin Harvick vs. Ricky Rudd

Richmond, 2003

A screaming, yelling Harvick stomps on the roof of Rudd’s car after late-race crash. A near-riot breaks out on pit road.

Their take: “Kevin was [ticked off], what do you say?” – Harvick team owner Richard Childress

“I don’t know. He’s got that little yap-yap mouth.” – Rudd, on what Harvick said

Kevin Harvick vs. Carl Edwards

Talladega, Charlotte, 2008

Banter after a Talladega wreck leads to a mysterious note followed by a physical confrontation in the Charlotte garage. Hulking Edwards looks like a wrestling star as he applies a choke-hold.

Their take: “Kevin, thanks for [criticizing] me on TV. I was really trying to screw up everyone’s day! Love, Carl.” – Edwards, in note to Harvick

“You just gotta be careful who you wanna pick a fight with.” – Harvick

Kevin Harvick vs. Juan Pablo Montoya

Watkins Glen, 2007

On-track incident leads to shoving and helmet-grabbing between two hotheads. NASCAR officials forced to break it up.

Their take: “I was talking about kicking his ass.” – Harvick

“I said it was my fault and he started shouting and grabbing me. I don’t appreciate that.” – Montoya

“I don’t want to end up like Pete Rose betting on my own team, but I would have bet on my guy.” – Montoya team owner Chip Ganassi

Jeff Gordon vs. Matt Kenseth

Bristol/Chicago, 2006

Angry Gordon shoves Kenseth on pit road at Bristol and then gets even by wrecking him on the last lap to win at Chicago.

Their take: “I like racing with Matt, [but] I certainly didn’t enjoy racing with him today. I showed him my displeasure. I get fired up, too.” – Gordon, at Bristol

“That wasn’t an accident. … Gordon just ran over me.” – Kenseth, at Chicago

Jeff Gordon vs. Tony Stewart

Watkins Glen, 2000

Early-race collision leads to shouting match and threats in the garage after the race – a YouTube classic. A year later, Stewart spins Gordon on pit road at Bristol.

Their take: “You’re busting my balls about taking it easy at the beginning. Make up your [expletive] mind.” – Stewart to Gordon at Watkins Glen

“I’ll run you straight into the wall the next time you’re anywhere near me. I owe you one now, buddy.” – Gordon to Stewart

Tony Stewart vs. Kurt Busch

Daytona, 2008

Crash in practice leads to insult (a fat joke?) and a (physical?) confrontation in NASCAR hauler (was it a shove or a punch?). Mum’s the word until Busch goes public on a Las Vegas radio station.

Their take: “It was highly emotional between two great race drivers.” – NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter

“He wanted to throw a punch, but I bobbed and weaved like a middle welterweight. We went toe to toe, I think, because I told him he has a large waistline.” – Kurt Busch

Tony Stewart vs. Kasey Kahne (and crews)

Chicago, 2004

Stewart wrecks Kahne for the lead. The crews scuffle when Kahne crew chief Tommy Baldwin charges into Stewart’s pit stall.

Their take: “I’m still waiting for someone to tell me what happened.” – Stewart

“He should have his ass beat. That’s the problem with him. Nobody has ever really grabbed him and given him a good beating.” – Kahne team owner Ray Evernham, on Stewart

Tony Stewart vs. the media

2001-2007

In 2001, he slaps a tape recorder out of a reporter’s hand. In 2002, he strikes a photographer. By 2007, he is feuding with ESPN.

Their take: “When Joe Gibbs called me to talk about driving a race car for him, he didn’t talk to me about how to deal with sponsors, NASCAR, the fans and whatever else.” – Stewart in 2002

“Free speech has done nothing but bite me my whole career.” – Stewart in 2004

Kurt Busch vs. Maricopa County (Ariz.) sheriff’s deputies

November, 2005

Busch calls county sheriff’s deputies “a joke” and “punks” and asks them, “Do you know who I am?” after being pulled over for speeding and suspicion of drunk driving near Phoenix International Raceway. Busch is charged with reckless driving, and Roush Racing suspends him for the final two races of the season. A year later, after Busch apologized and performed community service, and sheriff Joe Arpaio makes Busch a “special deputy.”

Their take: “You’re only doing this because you’re a Jeff Gordon fan.” – Busch to the sheriff’s deputies

“This is Maricopa County, and our streets are not to be used as raceways. He ought to confine his speeding to the race track. And I don’t like anybody being abusive to my deputies. I don’t care who they are.” – sheriff Joe Arpaio

“We’re officially retiring as Kurt Busch’s apologists, effective today.” – Roush Racing President Geoff Smith, announcing Busch’s suspension.

Nicole Lunders Biffle vs. Eva Bryan Busch
Texas, 2006

After Kurt Busch spun Greg Biffle at Texas, tempers flared – among Biffle’s girlfriend and Busch’s fiance. Lunders marched down pit road, climbed atop Busch’s pit box and engaged in a heated exchange with Bryan, creating the most bizarre confrontation of the decade and a media frenzy.

Their take: “She was just upset about it and really felt like Kurt was going to end up hurting somebody, and that’s what she conveyed to Eva. She wasn’t mad at Eva one bit. They’re friends and they talk and they do stuff.” – Greg Biffle

“You’ve got to remember, most everybody in the garage area is friends, and those two girls in particular have a close relationship. Tempers flare.” – NASCAR Vice President Robin Pemberton