Charlotte track uses Busch-Harvick confrontation in promotion even though drivers were punished

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Kyle Busch and Kevin Harvick were fined a lot of money and put on probation by NASCAR for their post-race, pit-road confrontation at Darlington last weekend. But that hasn’t stopped another speedway from trying to capitalize on the drivers’ spat.

An advertisement for Saturday night’s All-Star race at Charlotte Motor Speedway features the image of Harvick trying to punch Busch through his open window while Busch uses his car to nudge Harvick’s empty car, with the heading in bold yellow letters: ‘IT GETS SETTLED IN THE RACE FOR $1 MILLION.’

The ad was launched before Busch and Harvick were fined $25,000 each and placed on probation through mid-June, but CMS officials have no problem using the incident to promote their event.

“It’s the hot story of the day and it’s exciting and dramatic to have a fight on pit road or the frontstretch,” speedway President Marcus Smith said Monday. “It’s current news and it helps to attract some attention to the event. That, along with great racing all year long, has helped with ticket sales.

“I heard all the drivers say ... that this probation and fine is not going to change the way they drive,” he said. “I think that’s fantastic. That penalty, although it was somewhat costly, the probation is the equivalent of a slap on the wrist and I sure hope it doesn’t make a difference in the way they compete.”

In fact, Smith added: “If any of these guys get fined for fighting at the All-Star race, we’ll pay the fine.”

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-- Chuck Schilken

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Image from charlottemotorspeedway.com