Carolyn Kaster, AP
Kurt Busch (2), makes contact with Tony Stewart as Stewart is stopped in
his pit at the Dover International Speedway in Dover, Del., Monday.
Nextel Cup Series driver Kurt Busch was hit with a $100,000 fine and stripped of 100 driver points by NASCAR on Friday for his actions in Monday's race at Dover, Del.
Busch was angry with driver Tony Stewart over his actions on the track and during a pit stop, Busch pulled into Stewart's pit box, blocking him in and nearly hit one of Stewart's pit crew members as he was preparing to work on Stewart's No. 20 Chevrolet.
NASCAR immediately parked Busch for the remainder of the race.
On Friday NASCAR said it assessed the additional penalty for the incident because "reckless driving" and "endangering a crew member on pit road."
Busch's car owner, Roger Penske, was also penalized with the loss of 100 owner points due to his driver’s infraction.
The penalty matches those handed down earlier this season to Michael Waltrip and Dale Earnhardt Jr. and ranks as one of the most severe in NASCAR history.
The 100-point penalty drops Busch from 11th to tied with Greg Biffle for 17th in the Cup standings and currently out of contention for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. The top 12 after 26 races qualify for to compete in the final 10 races for the championship.
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