Waltrip angry at Wallace over late-race accident

LONG POND, Pa. (AP) -- Michael Waltrip was heading toward a respectable finish Sunday until he was hit from behind by Rusty Wallace.

	Michael Waltrip

Both were knocked out of the Pocono 500 and Waltrip was irate that his No. 15 Chevrolet was damaged in an accident he felt could have been avoided.

"I am just amazed that somebody could do something that stupid," Waltrip said. "I mean, if I put other people in jeopardy and ran over somebody like that, I wouldn't be able to live with myself. I just can't imagine what could have led to a mistake like that that put me in such a compromising position."

Wallace blamed the brakes on his No. 2 Dodge.

"It looks like it's only got about a quarter inch of brakes left on the right front wheel," Wallace said. "I popped them and got the brakes back right now. When I went in there and hit them, there was nothing there."

	Rusty Wallace

The accident happened on lap 168 -- 32 laps shy of the finish. The accident brought out the yellow, one of 11 in the race.

"It just freaks me out that that could have happened," Waltrip said.

Wallace apologized and said he didn't blame Waltrip for being upset.

"No way in the world am I trying to take anybody out or hurt anybody like that," he said. "When I hit the brakes, she went to the floor and the last thing I want to do is take my own car out, but that happened."