Harvick not allowed to drive in Virginia 500

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- NASCAR has put its foot down -- and it landed on the parking brake of Kevin Harvick.

Harvick, driver of the No. 29 Goodwrench Chevrolet, did not race in Sunday's NASCAR Winston Cup Series at Martinsville Speedway.

Harvick was held out because of his actions in the Advance Auto Parts 250 for the Craftsman Truck Series on Saturday. He was already on probation by the sanctioning body for any event, and it was ruled that Harvick would not be allowed to race in the Virginia 500 on Sunday.

A statement released by NASCAR at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday stated:

	Kevin Harvick

"NASCAR officials have announced they have "parked" NASCAR Winston Cup Series driver Kevin Harvick until the conclusion of the Virginia 500 NASCAR Winston Cup event at Martinsville Speedway.

"Harvick, on probation following an incident at Bristol Motor Speedway March 23 for actions during a NASCAR Busch Series event, was parked during Saturday's Advance Auto Parts 250 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event.

"That time has been extended, preventing him, but not the No. 29 RCR Winston Cup team, from participating through the completion of the event at Martinsville."

Team owner Richard Childress asked Kenny Wallace to drive the No. 29 Chevrolet on Sunday, then issued his own statement.

	Richard Childress

"NASCAR had to do something in response to Kevin's actions during the Truck race yesterday, but I think their response was completely wrong," Childress said. "NASCAR should keep the actions and punishments separate to each series.

"This should be Kevin's punishment only, but what NASCAR is doing is punishing the tens of thousands of race fans who probably didn't know until they got to the track this morning that Kevin won't be allowed to race today.

NASCAR is also punishing the entire No. 29 team and all of Richard Childress Racing for one person's actions."

Wallace finished 32nd after starting from the rear of the field.

On Saturday. Harvick was racing Coy Gibbs in his self-owned No. 6 Chevy during the Advance Auto Parts 250 when the two tangled, sending Gibbs' No. 20 Chevy spinning on lap 189.

	Kenny Wallace

NASCAR felt the actions were deliberate. At that point, NASCAR ordered Harvick to park immediately park his truck.

NASCAR ordered both Harvick and his crew chief Ed Berrier to the Craftsman Truck Series trailer after the race.

"They (NASCAR) thought I retaliated from earlier contact with the 20," said Harvick. "You know, it's just slick down there and I stayed in the gas. I didn't want to get spun out again.

"No, there was no message sent between the spotters. He apologized, and we said that was good."

NASCAR met with Harvick an hour after the race. He was seen leaving the Winston Cup Series trailer and refused to comment on what was said or discussed.

Harvick's probation stemmed from the Busch Series race at Bristol last month when he confronted Greg Biffle after the race. Harvick grabbed Biffle during the verbal confrontation.

Harvick was fined $15,000 and put on probation until Aug. 28. The probation pertained to all NASCAR races that Harvick would compete in and was not just limited to Winston Cup Series races.

Last year, Harvick was fined and placed on probation as well.

Childress said he would meet with Harvick on Monday to discuss the weekend's events.