Edwards, Busch move on, hard feelings still remain (cont'd)

Edwards said it's more about keeping emotions in check.

"As a driver, you should never let your emotions get you. But we do, you know. All of us do," Edwards said. "So probation is one of those things with my crew chief in my ear, and Jack [Roush] making sure I don't go out there and do something dumb. I'm not worried about being on probation. I just have to be a little extra careful not to let my emotions get the best of me."

Busch and Edwards were placed on probation as a precautionary measure to warn the drivers that their actions were tolerated, but that the intensity between the two should not escalate, NASCAR spokesman Ramsey Poston said. In other words, don't let the rift spill over into on-track activity.

Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch set the precedent for this type of punishment earlier this season after the two tangled during Budweiser Shootout practice in February's Speedweeks at Daytona. Busch had tried to block Stewart in the draft but got hit from behind by Stewart. Busch then slammed into the side of Stewart's car three times as the two drove back to the garage, where Stewart blocked Busch from entering the garage. Their six-race probation came because they deliberately used their cars as battering rams (watch video).

Following that preseason altercation, Poston said the definition of probation is going to be harsher on the drivers this season.

"In the past we've used 'probation for the rest of the year,' but it's never been something that's been exercised," Poston said back in February. "It never seemed to really mean anything. Now we are going to take action. If you are on probation for an altercation with another driver, and you have a second incident during that probation period, we are going to take action."

By the time Edwards and Kyle Busch arrived in Fontana, Calif., the focus was back on the racetrack for the most part. Edwards led Friday's opening practice session, and Busch was sixth.

"It's just emotions coming to a head," said Jimmie Johnson, who sits fourth in points behind Busch, Edwards and Dale Earnhardt Jr. "Both guys know what they have on the line. The probation is something that will be far back in their minds, but it's not going to change how they race and what they do."

Edwards agreed.

"All that stuff doesn't matter to me; we're here to race," Edwards said of the off-track dance with Busch. "It was really good, hard racing and what happened afterwards is the stuff that happens at racetracks every week. This is NASCAR saying, 'Look, you've got to take it easy.'"