Kevin Harvick has been adamant all year that he would leave Richard Childress Racing amicably and professionally. Team owner Richard Childress has pledged the same.
NASCAR Martinsville 2013: Kevin Harvick, Ty Dillon tangle, have heated exchange
Richard Childress Racing teammates Kevin Harvick and Ty Dillon tangled on the track and then exchanged heated words during Saturday’s Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway.
Geoff Burke
But that relationship took a serious blow Saturday at Martinsville Speedway.
With 12 laps left in the Camping World Truck Series race, Harvick and Childress’ grandson Ty Dillon had an on-track incident battling for the second position that saw both drivers spin. The two continued running into one another during the subsequent yellow flag, followed by Harvick eventually parking his truck in Dillon’s pit.
Though replays were inconclusive, it appeared a Dillon crewman threw a hammer at Harvick’s truck.
After 13 seasons Harvick is departing RCR at the end of the year to join Stewart-Haas Racing, with his seat likely to be filled by Dillon’s older brother Austin Dillon. Harvick said afterward Saturday that the reason he is leaving is because of the preferential treatment Childress shows his grandchildren.
“(Dillon) just dumped me,” Harvick told Fox Sports 1. “Exactly the reason why I’m leaving RCR because you’ve got those kids coming up and they’ve got no respect for what they do in this sport and they’ve had everything fed to them with a spoon.
“I cut him slack all day and, you know, he just dive-bombs me in there, dumps me. ... It’s a shame you’ve got to get taken out by some rich kid like that.”
Harvick has continually stated throughout the year there were no hard feelings between himself and Childress. He said he signed with SHR because he was looking to “rejuvenate” his career calling it a “business decision.” Entering Martinsville, Harvick is third in the Sprint Cup standings, 26 points behind leader Jimmie Johnson, and owns three victories.
Childress told MRN.com he was “disappointed” in Harvick.
“I’ve got too much class to really say what I want to say right now,” Childress said. “When I say it, I will say it to (Harvick’s) face.”
Unlike his grandfather, Dillon did not hold back his feelings about Harvick.
“I’m pretty disappointed in the things that just went down,” Dillon said.” I used to look up to that guy but I guess he doesn’t understand the circumstances of what’s going on. ... I know we wrecked, but to tear up a truck after the race and act like a punk on the track and on pit road and stop on pit road on my pit stall when my guys were coming out, that was pretty ridiculous.
“I’m not happy with him. And for him not to stick around, that’s pretty sad, too.”
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