NASCAR At Richmond: Kurt Busch And Jimmie Johnson Continue On-Track Feud

It is pretty clear Kurt Busch and Jimmie Johnson do not get along on the race track. They have had multiple incidents on and off the track this year and, with nothing to lose, the two got together once again Saturday night in Richmond.

The first incident came when Busch was under Johnson and locked up the tires going into the first corner. After the two made contact, Johnson hit the outside wall and received heavy damage to the rear of the No. 48 Chevrolet.

Once Johnson returned from the garage -- 34 laps down -- he dove into the corner under Busch and returned the favor, spinning both cars on Lap 247.

Despite the two incidents, Busch was able to finish the night fifth, while Johnson ended the night in 31st.

Busch said he could see the retaliation coming and expected nothing less from the No. 48, calling him a “five-time chump.”

“That’s not something you see from Jimmie Johnson every day so I know we’re in his head,” he said. “If we’re going to race this way, he’s got to worry that there’s 10 other guys in this Chase, not just the 22.”

Johnson denied the incidents with Busch were distracting his quest for another championship run, saying it was the initial contact that led to his retaliation.

“I have no clue what it’s going to play into. He has no one to be upset with but himself,” Johnson said. “If he didn’t run me over going into Turn 1 nothing would have happened.”

Johnson said the pair were able to race one another well in Atlanta, had casual words at Wednesday’s White House visit, but once his car was damaged during Saturday night’s race he had to “equal the scale” and “settle the score” with Busch.

“It’s simple stuff, you wreck me and I’m going to wreck you,” he said.

“He’s always going to run his mouth,” Johnson said when asked about Busch’s “five-time chump” statement. “Hell, he threatened to fight NASCAR.com’s Joe (Menzer). Interesting stuff.”