Newman wins and tempers flare

Ryan Newman won his first race of the season, when he needed to do well, he got it done.  Newman was leading when Stewart passed him with 8 laps to go, Newman seemed to get close a couple of times, but it didn't look like he was going to be able to do it.  But, with just 2 laps to go, Newman got by Stewart and held him off for the win, his first of the season and a much needed boost for the team.

Tempers flaring was the other story of the day and there was plenty of that going around.  Kurt Busch got spun early, Riggs was underneath Busch and apparently got loose and got into Busch.  Admittedly, I was away from the TV when the wreck happened, but saw Busch's reaction, wanting to go discuss things with Riggs' crew chief.  Busch ended up finishing 35th, putting him behind the 8 ball, so to speak, after the first race of the Chase.

A similar incident on the track involving Kyle Busch and Kasey Kahne had a different outcome.  It appeared, same as before, that Kyle Busch got loose, got into Kahne and Kahne hit the wall hard.  Once he got the car going again, when they were under caution, Kahne drove up the track and hit Busch's car and stopped in front of him, he thought Busch wrecked him on purpose.

The other incident was between Michael Waltrip and Robby Gordon, under caution no less.  Different stories ensued between the two of exactly what happened, but the end result was a wrecked race car of Robby Gordon.  Gordon then said over the radio, something to the effect of NASCAR are you listening?  I will get him back.  He then proceeded to walk out on the track, in the middle of traffic and threw his helmet at Waltrip.  If all that wasn't bad enough for Gordon, he didn't watch his language in the interview after the wreck, calling Waltrip a piece of shit if I remember it correctly.

After the race, NASCAR said there will be stiff penalties coming out of these incidents.  They were clearly not happy and said they will put an end to these pay-back incidents, however they have to.  They hinted at the possibility, but wouldn't come out and say they would, of parking drivers. 

I guess the biggest question is will NASCAR back up their words with actions?  One thing is sure, fines will be forthcoming.  We'll just have to wait and see what else, if anything, NASCAR does.

*picture credit - autostock