NASCAR Robby Gordon put on probation

The driver was angered 17 laps into Sunday's race. He retaliated.
WELCOME, N.C. (AP) -- Robby Gordon has been placed on probation by Richard Childress Racing for the remainder of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup season after admitting he intentionally caused an accident last Sunday at New Hampshire that involved championship contenders Tony Stewart and Jeremy Mayfield.
Team owner Childress made the announcement Wednesday, apologizing to the fans, media, the teams involved and Cingular Wireless, the sponsor of Gordon's No. 31 Chevrolet, for the situation that occurred during the Sylvania 300.
The lesson
"If there is one positive," Childress said, "I think this can make Robby understand that there is more to racing than just being aggressive. In this sport today, one action can affect many people's lives on the track and beyond it, as well.
"Many athletes have made mistakes in their careers and would take back the negative things they've said or done if they could."
Gordon was angered 17 laps into Sunday's race when Greg Biffle caused him to spin. After radioing to his crew that he would retaliate, he made good on the threat by intentionally wrecking Biffle later in the race.
Stewart and Mayfield could not avoid the accident, and their cars were severely damaged. Mayfield finished 35th, Stewart was 39th, and neither will likely be able to overcome their resulting point deficits in the final nine races of NASCAR's new 10-race playoff format.
NASCAR immediately hit Gordon with a two-lap penalty. NASCAR officials later said no further penalty against Gordon was planned.
Gordon made a public apology on Tuesday, admitting he wrecked Biffle while "trying to even the score."
Gesture to reporter
He also apologized for an obscene gesture he made after the race as reporters tried to interview him. Gordon said the gesture was directed at one reporter in particular.
"That, too, was poor judgment and, in hindsight, I should have just walked away," he said. "So I also apologize to any media members and bystanders I offended. It was a bad day that just seemed to get worse and worse."
There has been considerable speculation that Gordon's job was already in jeopardy before Sunday's crash. His 32nd-place finish at New Hampshire left Gordon 22nd in the season standings with two top fives and five top 10s.