Busch-Harvick feud intensifies

Associated Press

Regan Smith takes the checkered flag as he wins the Southern 500 at Darlington on Saturday.

DARLINGTON, S.C. -- Kyle Busch says he was trying to get away from Kevin Harvick after Saturday night's race, but his actions sent Harvick's car into the inside pit wall with people nearby.

A feud that gained momentum when Harvick wrecked Busch last November at Homestead grew more intense in the Southern 500. NASCAR officials met with both drivers after the race and will determine later this week whether to penalize either.

Problems started when Harvick ran into the back of Busch's car with seven laps left. As they raced by Clint Bowyer's wrecking car, Busch made contact with Harvick, sending Harvick's car to hit the wall.

After the race, Harvick followed Busch to pit road. They both stopped there for several seconds -- Harvick's car in front of Busch's -- before Harvick exited his car. As Harvick reached in to hit him, Busch moved his car forward, pushing Harvick's car, which turned into the inside pit wall.

"I was just trying to get away from the situation with Harvick and unfortunately he got to pit road before me so I pulled in behind him," said Busch, who broke his reverse gear moments earlier and couldn't back away from Harvick's car.

"When I saw him getting out of his car, I knew it wasn't going to be a good situation. My choices were limited. I was either going to get punched in the face and then wait for Harvick to get back in his car for me to go or just drive through his car and push it out of the way so I could get out of there and try not to get hit or anything like that. I made a judgment call there and it wasn't one of the best choices that I had, but I pushed his car out of the way on pit road and unfortunately there were men walking down pit road."

Asked if things were fine with Harvick after leaving the NASCAR hauler, Busch said: "Nope."

Harvick's response to a similar question was to say: "You saw the end."

Richard Childress, car owner for Kevin Harvick, warned: "Some things have a way of working it out. We'll just see where it goes from here. I believe in the driver standing up for what he believes in. Always have. Always will."

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