No harm, no foul for Montoya, Harvick
NASCAR has announced that it will not penalize Nextel Cup Series drivers Juan Pablo Montoya or Kevin Harvick for their shoving match at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) following a crash last Sunday.
Montoya and Kevin Harvick got together going into the first turn on a restart after Martin Truex Jr. tapped the rear of Montoya's car in the closing laps.
Montoya and Kevin Harvick then got out of their crumpled cars and had a heated exchange.
"I think our fans get a big kick out of incidents that happen like Kevin Harvick and Juan Pablo Montoya doing their toe dancing and helmet grabbing after the incident on the track," said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president. "Actually, I thought it was pretty funny.
"Most old football players would tell you that you never take your helmet off, and I noticed that neither one of them took off their helmets or HANS Devices. That was raw emotion. No harm was done. No foul was committed.
"It was just two tremendously competitive individuals venting a little bit of frustration, and I'm sure it will pass."
McCumbee in for Petty
Developmental driver Chad McCumbee will fill in for Kyle Petty, who broke his right hand following last Sunday's Nextel Cup Series race, in the 3M Performance 400 at Michigan International Speedway this weekend.
McCumbee, 23, made his Nextel Cup debut at Pocono Raceway in June in the No. 45 Petty Enterprises Dodge, finishing 25th.
He has also won in the ARCA Series and tested extensively for Petty Enterprises this season. The organization is planning to field a Busch Series car for McCumbee in 2008.
"I am here to help in any way that I can," said McCumbee. "The priority is getting Kyle back in the car as soon as possible. The goal this weekend is to get a solid finish for this team.
"I have experience in the Craftsman Truck Series at the track. Billy [Wilburn, crew chief] and I have had great communication, too. Hopefully we can have a good run on Sunday."
Petty underwent surgery on his hand on Tuesday in North Carolina. He was injured when he hit the butt of his hand on a door inside his car hauler after a lap 69 incident at Watkins Glen.
"I've got to thank Chad for everything he's done for us," said Petty. "We've spent a lot of time with him and moving him along. It made a lot of sense for us to put him in the car this weekend."
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