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[caseyfan19]

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- - Kevin Harvick may have pushed his luck with NASCAR officials. Again.



Kevin Harvick

After starting 12th in his No. 6 Chevrolet for the Advance Auto Parts 250 at Martinsville Speedway, Harvick sent the No. 20 Chevrolet of Coy Gibbs spinning late in the event.

While the race was under caution, it was believed a threatening message was conveyed from Harvick's team to Gibbs'.

That's when NASCAR stepped in and ordered Harvick off the track and out of the race.

NASCAR requested that both Harvick and his crew chief Ed Berrier report to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series hauler to speak with series officials after the race.

Harvick simply drove his Chevy right to the back door of the hauler, which was located behind pit road. He then got out and had a discussion with NASCAR's Gary Nelson and Jim Hunter instead of waiting until the end of the race.



Coy Gibbs

"They (NASCAR) thought I retaliated from earlier contact with the 20," said Harvick. "You know, it's just slick down there and I stayed in the gas. I didn't want to get spun out again.

"No, there was no message sent between the spotters. He apologized, and we said that was good.

"So, what are you going to do?"

An hour after the race, Harvick left the NASCAR Winston Cup Series trailer but said he didn't have time to discuss what was talked about and kept walking.

NASCAR officials also refused comment on the incident

Harvick is currently under probation for all NASCAR events stemming from his post-confrontation with Greg Biffle in the Busch Series race at Bristol. At this time, it is believed there will be no further penalty of fines from NASCAR for the incident.

Harvick was fined $15,000 and placed on probation until Aug. 28.
Other News!!!!!!
The Buzz: Harvick suspension imminent?

Dave Rodman couldn't join us this week. He's still washed out in Texas. At least that is what he said.

What's going to happen in the Darrell Waltrip vs. Kevin Harvick grudge match this weekend at Martinsville?

Tim Packman: Well, what we have here is the largest compilation of hot air combined in one of the smallest tracks on the circuit. By the time it gets time to throw the green flag on Saturday, with all the talking those two will have done by then, one lit match will blow the place up!


Marty Smith: That'll be some classic mess, boy. I got my loot on the crafty veteran. Ol' DW flaps those gums like Oprah on Xynadrine, and I'd betcha he's got a few old, well, really old, tricks up the sleeve. He's raced at Martinsville like, what, 800 times? I'm sure he knows something the other guys don't.


Ryan Smithson: Harvick forgets to hit the brakes in Turn 3, sends Waltrip flying into the booth. Waltrip goes on-air to complain about what a raw deal he got. Harvick fined $15,000, put on probation, then flies to Nashville to hunt Greg Biffle.

Tim Packman: There is one small factor that has to be considered, with so many entries in the race, what if DW doesn't qualify?

Ryan Smithson: He'll take a former champion's provisional I am sure.

Marty Smith: How bro? He's never won a Truck title.



Choke yourself! I said lean over and choke yourself! Credit: AP

Ryan Smithson: Sure, NASCAR will change the rules on the fly! They'll say, "Well, D.W. has done so much for the sport."

Tim Packman: Ryan, how can you say something like that about our beloved NASCAR? They never do things like that. Well, almost never.

Ryan Smithson: Harvick will put Waltrip a lap down.

Marty Smith: DW is pimpin'. Anybody who pulls out the Ickey shuffle has mad game. He needs to update his repertoire, bust out the Macarena or something.

Tim Packman: I really feel for the guys who really do need to make the show and get the points from this race. I'd hate to think that some drivers treating my division as a sideshow could cost me later down the line this season.

Tim Packman: But, hey, this is a sport and not a matter of existence. So, bring on the fun!

Marty Smith: Dude, it'll be a great race. The Truck race at Martinsville is always killer. Is Bobby Hamilton in it? If so, he'll win.

Tim Packman: No, he turned the ride over to Brian Rose this year. But, I bet he's tempted to climb in there for this one with Harvick and DW in it.


Ickey ain't got nothing on me, boys!
Ryan Smithson: I don't think Waltrip is treating this as a sideshow. He honestly feels he can win, and he probably can, but Musgrave or Harvick will win. Musgrave is tough.

Marty Smith: No doubt. My wife teaches his daughter.

Ryan Smithson: If Waltrip fails to qualify, at least he'll know how it feels.

Tim Packman: Those guys just spent almost another month between races waiting to go at it again. Man, that has to be racer buzzkill for sure.

Marty Smith: I wonder how rusty he'll be. He hasn't been in a car in awhile, so I wonder what kind of shape he's in.

Ryan Smithson: Probably not too good.

Tim Packman: Heard he's been practicing on the back roads of Franklin, Tenn. getting ready for this race.


Peace, Darrell! Credit: ASP
Ryan Smithson: Franklin ain't got no back roads any more. It's all built up.

Marty Smith: Main Street is a back road there, y'all. It's like my hometown. I love it. Small towns are dominant.

Ryan Smithson: Waltrip's got a huge Volvo dealership there. Imagine that. And Rusty Wallace has a Suburu dealership. Weird.

Marty Smith: Rusty has all kinds of odd makes. Daewoo or something...

Ryan Smithson: What's next? Joe Ruttman Hyundai?

Tim Packman: Kevin Harvick Kia.

Marty Smith: Could you imagine that commercial? "Hi, I'm Rusty Wallace. Swing on by to Rusty Wallace Daewoo and test drive a Leganza today."

Ryan Smithson: 10-year warranty or $10,000 fine, whatever comes first.

You guys really sucked at your Texas predictions. What gives?
Marty Smith: Smithson picked Martin, and he was the closest? That makes me wanna puke.

Ryan Smithson: This is the last time I am picking Martin. He has officially let me down, but my prediction was better than Marty's or Pack's. Martin could have caught Gordon.

Marty Smith: Tony was fast man, he was in the top-five all day y'all. We all made good predictions. How can you say they sucked? We all finished in the top-six. Last I checked, top-five was good.


Watch the shirt, lady! Credit: ASP
Tim Packman: I thought we represented quite well, as well, Marty. If we do this good at Martinsville this week, we could open our own offshore betting site.

Marty Smith: No way man. I'm the worst prognosticator in the history of humankind. I hate casinos. I think I have a phobia about them.

Ryan Smithson: I wish Kenseth would have pulled into Victory Lane and said, "I kick ass." Would help his image.

Tim Packman: He is the most non-excited winner I've seen in Victory Lane. I know he's excited and happy, but whip some drinks around or something. He came from the back to the front. That's worth celebrating. Of course, I'll celebrate the sun coming up, so who I am to talk.

Ryan Smithson: Mark Martin doesn't get too excited about winning either. Not sure. I don't remember that far back.

Marty Smith: That back-to-front thing is intriguing. It's already happened three times. It might become commonplace shortly.

Ryan Smithson: Marty, right on. I think a lot of teams will start changing engines and say the hell with it.

Marty Smith: Man, why not? It's obviously working.

Predictions for Martinsville?
Tim Packman: Oh brother, here we go again. I'm gonna lay it on the line and toss some pennies on Kevin Harvick. Did well last year there until he got into that punting match with Bobby Hamilton. Might try to avenge himself there this time by posting the victory.

Ryan Smithson: Rudd-Jarrett 1-2. Seriously.



Marty Smith: Skinner will win at Martinsville. No, really.

Marty Smith: Okay, if I'm right on this one, I might take Pack up on that betting deal. The Morgan-McClure bunch has been a sleeper this year. I swear, they've run well. I'm gonna say Skinner shocks the world and takes the checkers for his first career win. Call me crazy, but I swear it could happen.

Ryan Smithson: You're crazy.

Marty Smith: I think they're getting back on the right track man. And aero means nothing at Martinsville so they won't be behind in that deal. It'd be awesome to see Larry McClure get another win.

Tim Packman: He is coming off a season's high of 12th last week. Might be a good momentum builder for them.

Ryan Smithson: They are still a single-car team though. Then again, I'll never say never again after Sadler's shocker. That will never be topped. Not even when Shawna wins at Watkins Glen.

Marty Smith: I called that Sadler win, son.

Ryan Smithson: All of a sudden, that BAM logo going through the esses sounds really hilarious. Too bad she is not trying that race.

Track Smack appears every Wednesday on NASCAR.com and the opinions expressed here are solely those of the participants.