Tempers of Harvick, Hamlin flare at Dover

Associated Press

DOVER, Del.

Kevin Harvick showed he had his teammate’s back by damaging Denny Hamlin’s rear.

After Hamlin bumped Harvick on the track, the top two points leaders were involved in a heated and profane exchange in the garage, sparking some life into the first practice Saturday at Dover International Speedway.

The dustup came a day after Hamlin blasted Clint Bowyer, saying Harvick’s RCR teammate was making excuses for why his winning car at New Hampshire failed a follow-up inspection.

Harvick appeared to stick up for Bowyer not with words, but with force.

“It’s a tight bunch,” Harvick said of his teammates after the Nationwide race. “It’s always been that way.”

It didn’t surprise Hamlin.

“I had a hint,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin knew he’d be a target when he said Harvick’s crew made sarcastic comments toward him before practice. Hamlin, who said he expected retaliation for his antagonistic criticism, said Harvick also got into the No. 11 Toyota on pit road.

Hamlin and Harvick made contact during the opening laps of practice, with Harvick damaging the right rear of Hamlin’s No. 11 car. Once the drivers returned to the garage, they got into each other’s faces before they were separated. Tempers quickly flared again and they went back to yelling at each other before they were broken up for good.

“Of course, it’s unnecessary because it didn’t help either one of the race teams,” Hamlin said.

Hamlin is in first place and holds a 45-point lead over Harvick in the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship points standings. Their stalls and haulers are next to each other in the garage, causing some uncomfortable moments for the crew.