Wimmer rallies after run-in with Stewart

Wimmer, Stewart penalized for Lap 201 incident

BRISTOL, Tenn. -- A little door-banging under caution got Tony Stewart and Scott Wimmer in trouble with NASCAR officials during Sunday's Food City 500.

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When Ricky Craven slipped sideways on Lap 201, Wimmer attempted to avoid Craven's car and Stewart hit Wimmer's machine from behind.

Attempting to miss the melee, Robby Gordon spun out, bringing out the caution flag.

"I guess Tony didn't look over his hood or whatever but he run right into the back of me," Wimmer said. "I guess it upset him that he ran into the back of me, but it's all right."

As the cars slowed behind the pace car, Wimmer and Stewart banged doors. That caused NASCAR to give both drivers a one-lap penalty.

"I didn't do anything wrong. I didn't spin anybody out. I was getting run into by Tony," Wimmer said. "I didn't go back and spin him out or anything like that. I didn't really understand the penalty but NASCAR makes calls."

VIDEO CLIPS Victory Lane Play video Kenseth, McMurray tangle late in the event Play video Earnhardt Jr. spins on Lap 430 Play video Wimmer, Stewart penalized on Lap 200 Play video Burton, Labonte, Harvick involved in crash on Lap 101 Play video Kahne upset about wreck on Lap 59 Play video

When Stewart's crew chief, Greg Zipadelli, was informed of the penalty, he angrily slammed his fist down on his notebook stand on top of the crash cart, flipping his notes onto the ground.

But he quickly regained his composure and gave the helmet of the NASCAR official a friendly tap shortly thereafter.

Wimmer's crew chief, Frank Stoddard, then came to the No. 20 pit area and animatedly discussed the penalty with Zipadelli, rapping his hands together to show how the two cars collided under yellow.

"(Craven) got sideways off the corner," Stoddard said. "We punted the back of the 32 because we're in the gas. The 32 comes and says, 'I'm sorry about that' and apologized to us.

"the 20 jacks us up in the back because he's in the gas and then the caution comes out. The 20 comes up and runs into the back of us two or three times and then comes up to the outside of us, runs into the side of us.

"What is the penalty on the 22? I'd like to know what the penalty is on that deal. They couldn't see it from there anyway. I guess they just decided it, I don't know."

Wimmer was able to get his lap back and finished 13th.

Stewart's car made several pit stops during the caution to repair damage to the right-front fender. He finished 24th.