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closeMontoya, Harvick rumble after another accident
Pair exchange words, shoves
JIM UTTER, jutter@charlotteobserver.com
Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007
WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Welcome to NASCAR, Juan Pablo Montoya.
Montoya got an unexpected up close indoctrination to the hard racing that’s made NASCAR popular as he became embroiled Sunday in a wreck on the track that erupted into a pushing and shoving match between himself and Kevin Harvick.
When all was said and done, there were more heated words exchanged than anything else. Even Sunday’s race winner at Watkins Glen International, Tony Stewart, was disappointed.
“They still had their HANS and their helmets on, so it didn’t impress me,” he said.
The incident started on a restart on Lap 73 of the Centurion Boats at the Glen following a caution. As the line of cars headed into Turn 1, Martin Truex Jr. pulled out of line and attempted to take the inside groove.
Montoya tried to block Truex’s advance, got hit in the rear and plowed into Harvick – an accident which also collected Harvick’s Richard Childress Racing teammate, Jeff Burton.
Harvick and Montoya both exited their cars, which were stopped on the track, and immediately got in each other’s face. Several times Montoya could be seen shoving Harvick away as if to try to cut off the conversation.
Finally NASCAR officials and Burton got the two drivers separated. Harvick was the biggest loser, finishing 36th and dropping to 10th in the points standings.
“I just hate it. I’m frustrated with (Montoya). It just seems like he runs over somebody every week,” Harvick said. Asked what he talked to Montoya about during the confrontation, he replied, “I was talking about kicking his (butt).”
Montoya’s crew chief, Donnie Wingo, said the incident started because Montoya “went to the bottom to defend his position and (Truex) got into him.”
Montoya said he tried to explain to Harvick the circumstances and that he was hit from behind. “He started shouting and grabbing me and I don’t appreciate that,” he said.
“If it was my fault I would have gone and said it was my fault. I have a little respect for the guy. Well, I used to have a little respect for the guy because he helped me a lot to start with.”