Kevin Harvick On The Receiving End

Posted by Jeremy Dunn Nov 8, 2006

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Usually Kevin Harvick is the guy who flies off the handle and becomes the instigator in near physical confrontations. In 2001 at Richmond, Harvick got in Greg Biffle's face, and a year later at Bristol, he grabbed Biffle's collar with that crazed look in his eyes after the two engaged in an on-track duel.

In 2003, after being wrecked by Ricky Rudd at Richmond with just a couple of laps to go, Harvick abruptly pulled alongside Rudd's Ford, and even stood on his hood. As we walked off he threw his HANS Device at the old veteran.

Harvick verbally attacked Kurt Busch at Bristol in the spring, basically admitting that he should have 'whipped' his rival by now. He also took a couple of shots at Busch's physical appearance.

But at Texas, Kevin Harvick was the victim of hotheadedness.

With just a handful of laps remaining in the Dickies 500 at Texas, Scott Riggs got loose, therefore, Harvick, who had a steam of momentum, hit the back of the # 10 Dodge. Riggs would ultimately slam the outside wall, destroying a car that had ran in the top ten for most of the afternoon.

Riggs was understandably upset, and at first glance, it looked as if Harvick just ran over Riggs.

But Riggs apparently cooled off, and from what I understand, resisted any contact with Harvick after the race concluded.

The same cannot be said for crew member Craig Curione. Curione allegedly shouted obscenities into the direction of Harvick as he and his wife were headed to the haulers. I'm not sure how Harvick retaliated, but Curione proceeded to shove the driver, knocking both he and his wife Delana to the ground. Delana was hurt by the fall.

"Those guys decided they wanted to take matters into their own hands and trip my wife in front of their pit box," Harvick said. "That's a little bit unnecessary, so we're not too happy about that."

Instead of taking matters into his own hands, NASCAR stepped in and suspended Curione indefinitely.

Harvick's actions showed that he has changed quite a bit since he was that young 'punk' who took over the late Dale Earnhardt's ride five and a half years ago.

As for Curione, at least his name broke the headlines this week, something that would have likely never happened if he hadn't lost his cool.

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