Melee Erupts Following NASCAR Richmond Race

Washington Post ^ | September 7, 2003 | HANK KURZ Jr.

[Maria S]

RICHMOND, Va. - Ricky Rudd thought he'd seen just about everything in a long racing career with plenty of beating and banging.

Then he made what must have seemed like a wrong turn into the wrong neighborhood of Richmond International Raceway, finding himself and his car the subject of a moblike confrontation by Kevin Harvick's team.

"I haven't seen anything like that in 28 years of racing," Rudd said of the scene NASCAR officials rebuked as a "bench-clearing mentality."

"It was just totally crazy," Rudd said.

The feud started with less than nine laps to go in the Chevrolet 400, when Rudd was trailing Harvick into the first turn and both were trying to catch Ryan Newman, who was already starting to pull away.

Harvick's car seemed to wiggle a bit, and then Rudd nudged him from behind. Harvick's car was sent slamming into the wall as Rudd raced on. Newman continued, too, going on to his series-best sixth victory of the season.

Harvick, who is third in the points race and running out of races to catch front-running Matt Kenseth, was fuming after the accident denied him a chance to catch Newman and a possible sixth-straight top-five finish.

"I can't help but be angry," he said. "We are running for the championship and I thought we had another second (place) locked up."

[Maria S]

These boys reeeeeally get into a race!

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

I like the way you used the URL printer version
of the story.
I will steal your idea!

[jocon307]

"I like the way you used the URL printer version
of the story.
I will steal your idea!"

Yes, those work very well. I like your attitude, I tell people that too, I'm stealing it!

[winodog]

More and more like the WWF every day. Not only with the fighting but with the "rules"

[WSGilcrest]

As was discussed on the live NASCAR thread the other night, Harvick bobbled and eased up just enough for Rudd to barely tap him. Wasn't intentional. Just racin'. Harvick needs to shut his pie hole.

[jrawk]

Man, I am tired of these 5 year olds talking like 20 yr veterans. They simply don't have the standing. Childress should fire every one involved including Harvick. He doesn't even approve of burnouts after the race.

Rudd handled the whole situation with class. Harvick will be tucking his tail on Monday. I am sure he has seen the playback by now and knows he is an idiot, wonder if he will have the balls to admit it? If he doesn't I hope Childress makes him do it anyway.

-- lates
-- jrawk

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for the mention. :-)

Last night's NASCAR Richmond thread HERE

Go to post 162 or so and forward for a FR account of action on and off the track.

[kenth]

Racing combined with wrestling. I'm surprised anyone is complaining.

[Rodney King]

First of all, it looked like Rudd didn't plan it. Regardless, Harvick needs to learn "live by the sword, die by the sword". If Harvick was right behind Rudd he would have done it - on purpose.

[and the horse you rode in on]

Rudd handled the whole situation with class. Harvick will be tucking his tail on Monday. I am sure he has seen the playback by now and knows he is an idiot, wonder if he will have the balls to admit it? If he doesn't I hope Childress makes him do it anyway.

Up till the mid sixties, the cars were sturdy enough for drivers to give a bump back at the next race, but todays cars a so phoney that there is no real structure to take the bump.

[schaketo]

It’s ironic that Harvick thought it was OK the night before in the Busch race when his teammate bumped Matt’s car and won the race. Then the next day in the Winston, he’s cryin’ his a$$ off because Rudd gave him what he had coming. What a crybaby. And to think … he took over for Earnhardt.

[wita]

No structure, balderdash! The cars are capable of handling a great deal of bumping, wrecking, and wall banging. It is the coefficient of adhesion and the nearness of the car to the limit of adhesion, plus the abiltity of the driver to recover from a potential or actual spin, that determines whether one stays on the line or hits the immovable object, not to mention aerodynamics, the car setup and a thousand other little scientific factors, as they say, "that's racin", but no finishing spot is guaranteed, especially in NASCAR, and just because you are second in points, doesn't cut much in that game.

[Afronaut]

Looked like a Spoiled Rotton little Brat. It will cost him large by Weds. Wait and see.

[al baby]

Someone was fornicating the canine

[Texas Eagle]

Melee my butt. There wasn't one punch thrown. Harvick thinks he's Dale Earnhardt but he's less of a man than Dale Evans.

[BenLurkin]

I dunno, what do you make of this?

[Thumper1960]

What a joke.

What would these "guys" do if they had to really race against men who started their careers by hauling bootleg through the Carolina backroads?

[Maria S]

"...hauling bootleg through the Carolina backroads..."

Uummmm...WHITE LIGHTNIN'!

[csvset]

"To be a man you've gotta beat the man."

[Salo]

Ummmmm.....Swamp Root - least in this part of SC. ;-)