Montoya Wrecks Busch on Purpose - NASCAR Ponders Punishment As Fans Offer Praise

What goes around comes around, the old sayingnecessary to protect himself.
goes.Busch's explanation for the earlier impact was that
Kyle Busch got a taste of his own medicine at NewMontoya, no fan favorite himself, would not give
Hampshire when, during the final yellow flag of theground when the 18 had passed, but continued to
day, Juan Pablo Montoya drove his No. 42 Dodge intocome up on the inside. After minor contact on the
Busch's No. 18 Toyota during the Lenox Industrial42's quarter panel, he says Montoya drove up and
Tools 301. The hard contact occurred in full view ofpurposely hit the left rear of the 18.
the front grandstand along the straightaway.Montoya apparently felt he had out-positioned Busch
Montoya admits it was intentional and in retaliation forduring the restart, according to Busch. The Sprint Cup
Busch's side bump of the 42 during the same cautionSeries points leader added that he and Montoya
period. Montoya's payback sent the Interstatebumped under yellow while Busch was maneuvering
Batteries car spinning back into Montoya'sto get around Dario Franchitti, accidentally provoking
black-and-red ride.Montoya.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. fans are praising Montoya, no fanNo injuries were reported by either team.
favorite before the incident with Busch. The formerSo far this season, Busch has bumped and spun
Indianapolis 500 winner and Formula One star isJohnny Benson and Ron Hornaday Jr. in separate
expected to have more souvenir sales and vocaltruck races, and nudged Steven Wallace out of the
support in the coming weeks.way in a Nationwide event. He was not given extra
In post-race remarks, Montoya almost seemed topenalties by NASCAR, although he never said those
accuse Busch of steering his spinning car intomoves were premeditated on his part.
Montoya's path. The two drivers had collided severalNASCAR told its drivers to express themselves
times earlier, more blatantly with 50 laps left whenfreely this season, to let their personalities come out
Montoya ran his car up the left rear of the 18 Camryand show more emotion without fear of
after a wide pass near Turn 4.retribution-but not under caution. In situations similar
Ongoing debate has centered on whether the Chipto what occurred on June 29, the sanctioning body
Ganassi driver should be punished beyond what hehas acted with strict punitive measures, and
received during the race-a two-lap penalty that tookMontoya's action was deliberate, he admits.
him out of the running, eventually toward aWhen the yellow flag flies, the hard racing and
32nd-place finish. Busch came in 25th. Montoya waspaint-trading is on pause. Junior was allowed to pass
summoned to the NASCAR hauler to explain histhe pace car multiple times at Michigan. Montoya was
actions, and mute officials evidently consider thepushed back in the field for an intentional wreck
incident a closed issue.under caution at New Hampshire. Other drivers-Kurt
In the Colombian's version, he says he tried to getBusch for one-have made similar moves that
around Busch on the outside of Turn 2 with 20 lapsjeopardized the safety of drivers, and were
remaining. Busch-similar to what happened with Juniordisciplined further.
at Michigan-crowded the 42 car toward the outsideNASCAR's silence on Montoya's admission speaks
wall and repeatedly bumped the side of the Texacovolumes. It could also trigger retaliatory action by
Havoline Dodge along Turn 3, creating a caution.drivers in future races-even under green.
Settling scores during the period, Montoya said, was