DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch were ordered to steer clear of each other Saturday in hopes of preventing a repeat of their high-octane confrontation on the first day of Speedweeks.
NASCAR officials summoned Stewart and Busch for a follow-up meeting Saturday morning, just hours after the two drivers tangled on the track — and possibly in the NASCAR officials’ trailer afterward. The entire garage was buzzing over Busch allegedly insulting Stewart and Stewart retaliating with a punch — claims no one would confirm or deny.
NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said officials have not decided whether to penalize either driver, but delivered a stern warning.
“You two guys better give each other plenty of space,” Hunter said. “You clearly understand where we are with this, and we’re going to continue to think about it.”
Hunter said any resulting penalties would be announced Monday or Tuesday.
Busch and Stewart, former series champions with a history of clashing on the track, crashed during the final practice session Friday night.
Busch attempted to block Stewart and got hit from behind, damaging both cars. Busch retaliated by slamming into the side of Stewart’s car twice as they drove back toward the garage. Stewart then used his car to block Busch from entering the garage.
Both drivers were immediately told to meet with NASCAR officials. And that’s where the details get a little sketchy. Talk spread throughout the garage Saturday that Stewart and Busch continued to bicker once inside the heated, closed-door meeting.
NASCAR officials at the meeting refused to comment. NASCAR president Mike Helton said: “I wasn’t in there.”
Earnhardt wins Shootout. Dale Earnhardt Jr. had a smashing debut in his Hendrick Motorsports ride, getting a boost from his new teammates to power past Stewart to win the Budweiser Shootout in Daytona Beach.
It was Earnhardt’s first victory in any series since the summer of 2006, and could be a sign of things to come now that NASCAR’s most popular driver is partnered with its most powerful team.
Seconds after taking the checkered flag, Earnhardt declared himself a favorite for this week’s season-opening Daytona 500.
“What a race car!” Earnhardt yelled over his radio. “This might be a (Daytona) 500 winner here and you don’t know it.”
Brown top qualifier.
Former pro stock motorcycle rider Antron Brown raced to his first No. 1 qualifying position in top fuel at the Carquest Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals in Pomona, Calif.
Tim Wilkerson (funny car) and Greg Anderson (pro stock) will lead their division into today’s eliminations.
