Two More Additions to the Probation List
If this keeps up, everybody will be on probation.
NASCAR announced Wednesday that Jamie McMurray and Kevin Harvick have been fined $25,000 and placed on probation until Oct. 3 for intentional and unnecessary contact between the two cars after the caution froze the field on the white-flag lap Sunday’s race at Talladega.
“This particular incident was brought to our attention after the race, when we were reviewing the finishing order,” NASCAR spokesperson Kerry Tharp said. “If you recall, we had to go back and look at the videotape and the scoring loops to determine the finishing order after the race ended under caution.
“It was brought to our attention then, and we reviewed the video again on Tuesday, as we normally do. We had discussions as a group and agreed that it warranted a penalty.”
Harvicks public relations representative, Stacie Fandel, said both drivers were surprised by the severity of NASCAR’s penalty. Fandel said McMurray’s car, which was low on fuel, apparently sputtered on the final restart, causing contact with Harvick and Tony Stewart.
Unaware that McMurray was out of gas, Harvick reportedly retaliated by leaving a tire mark on McMurray’s car as the incident escalated.
Already on probation until Dec. 31 are Tony and Juan Pablo Montoya. Though Montoya incurred his penalty for an “inappropriate gesture” during Busch Series practice at Phoenix, he can violate his probation through detrimental conduct in any of NASCAR’s series.
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