Scott Riggs was running third when he wrecked at Texas. Credit: Autostock

Harvick, Riggs' crewman have run-in after wreck

RCR claims crewman shoved Harvick to ground in altercation

FORT WORTH, Texas -- NASCAR is investigating a post-race incident at Texas Motor Speedway between a member of Evernham Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing driver Kevin Harvick.

Scott Riggs' crew was upset with Kevin Harvick following a Lap 331 crash. Credit: Autostock

According to RCR officials, Harvick was walking to the garage with his wife, DeLana, when a crewman for driver Scott Riggs shoved Harvick, sending him and his wife to the ground.

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

A NASCAR official nearby also fell and injured his leg and was transported to the infield medical center.

The incident came just minutes after Harvick and Riggs made contact on Lap 331 of the Dickies 500. Riggs and Harvick were racing for third when Harvick got Riggs loose, sending Riggs hard into the wall.

Harvick went on to finish third. Riggs wound up 31st.

"Harvick took the air off the back of the car," said Mike Dillon, RCR's director of team operations. "He got really close and never touched him. He never touched him until the car got out from under him."

The incident enraged members of Riggs' crew, leading to the post-race confrontation.

After the race, an incensed Harvick stormed through the garage and tried to confront the 10 team at their hauler, but he was stopped by Dillon, who ordered Harvick to go to the NASCAR hauler.

Once there, Harvick met with NASCAR officials, who also located the crew member who allegedly shoved Harvick.

"Kevin is a hothead, but he actually did good, he went in there and talked and didn't even confront the individual," said Dillon, who was standing near Harvick when the incident took place. "NASCAR's handling it and they had three or four officials witness it. They will take care of it because one of their guys got into trouble."

NASCAR said that they will investigate the incident but would take no action on Sunday.

Dickies 500 Results Pos. Driver Make 1. Tony Stewart Chevy 2. Jimmie Johnson Chevy 3. Kevin Harvick Chevy 4. Kyle Busch Chevy 5. Clint Bowyer Chevy 6. Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevy 7. Casey Mears Dodge 8. Kurt Busch Dodge 9. Jeff Gordon Chevy 10. Denny Hamlin Chevy • Complete results, click here • Driver standings, click here Chase for the Nextel Cup After Texas (8th of 10 races) Pos. +/- Driver Behind 1. +1 J. Johnson Leader 2. -1 M. Kenseth -17 3. +1 Earnhardt Jr. -78 4. -1 D. Hamlin -80 5. +1 K. Harvick -105 6. +1 J. Gordon -157 7. -2 J. Burton -184 8. +2 Ky. Busch -233 9. -1 M. Martin -253 10. -1 K. Kahne -290 • Complete standings, click here SUPERSTORE •   2006 Chase merchandise! Dickies 500Watch highlights from Tony Stewart's victory at Texas Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

Rodney Childers, Riggs' crew chief, did not witness the incident. He was in the garage trying to load the totaled No. 10 Dodge on its hauler when he was asked to meet with NASCAR.

"There is always a lot of different sides to the story and I don't really know the truth right now, and NASCAR is talking to their officials," Childers said. "They are just going to look at everything and give me a call Tuesday.

"Just a lot of adrenaline flowing on pit road."

Harvick did not appear to be injured, but Dillon said that DeLana Harvick twisted her ankle.

Dillon described the incident in detail.

"Well, they were just walking back to the garage, Harvick and DeLana, myself," Dillon said. "[We] were walking back [and] unfortunately crossed paths with the 10 car crew.

"Of course, they are going to run their mouth some. They need to see the film before they say anything. Anyways, they got to jawing and that was all that was going on.

"Then one of the guys on the 10 team came up from behind me and shoved Harvick, pushed him hard enough to knock him and DeLana in front of one of the war wagons."

NASCAR would not release the crew member's name and would also not divulge the name of the official who was injured.

The crew member in question was allowed to leave the NASCAR hauler soon after Harvick left. Childers followed a few minutes later.

"It was just a coincidence that our pit box was coming down the hill at the same time that Kevin was walking though," Childers said. "I hate it. We were trying to go for our first win. Our team has done a really good job this year and we had a good car all night."