NASCAR hits Harvick and Busch with minor penalties for Darlington fracas

   Kevin Harvick and Kyle Busch, in a happier moment (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
  

   By Mike Mulhern
   mikemulhern.net

   After the race Harvick blocked pit road with his car, got out and marched to Busch's car, and delivered a punch, though Busch was still wearing his helmet.
   Busch then, without reverse he said, pushed Harvick's car out of the way and drove back to the NASCAR garage.
   The two were ordered to a post-race meeting with NASCAR officials.
   The penalties assessed Tuesday: each man was fined $25,000 and placed on probation for the next four Sprint Cup "points events," according to NASCAR -- Dover, Charlotte's 600, Kansas, and Pocono. NASCAR didn't make clear if the Charlotte All-star race would be included. The two men are to race in Dover's Friday afternoon Truck race, and they will apparently not be penalized further for anything they do in that event.
   NASCAR emphasized the penalties are for what occurred on pit road after the race, not for anything that happened out on the track.

  Did NASCAR's no-call on this incident at Homestead last fall lead to Saturday night's ruckus in Darlington? (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)