Nascar fans got a little more than they bargained for during a race at Texas Motor Speedway yesterday. High profile racers Jeff Gordon and Jeff Burton got into a physical fight after the two crashed on the raceway.
The video shows Gordon approaching Burton quickly and the announced expecting the two to have a verbal altercation. Instead, it seems as though Gordon throws the first hit, all while cameras are rolling.
SI.com’s Bruce Martin explains how verbal and physical altercations are what sparked Nascar’s popularity in the first place.
He writes, “Hey, it’s what put NASCAR on the map in 1979, when Cale Yarborough and Bobby Allison punched each other out after Yarborough and Donnie Allison crashed battling for the lead on the race’s final lap. That was the first race ever televised live, flag-to-flag on network television, and with much of America buried under a blizzard, it made for a dramatic day on CBS.”
Gordon spoke out on the incident afterwards with the following:
“Thankfully, I had a long walk to him down the backstretch because I did about the least amount I was going to. I wanted to do a whole lot more to him,” Gordon said. “You know, I like Jeff, he’s a guy that’s usually very rational and I respect his opinion and he apologized, said it was his fault, said he didn’t mean to do it, and whatever. It’s over.”
And Burton also manned up to his actions stating: “I don’t blame him for being mad. I would have been mad too.”
And, while, Gordon did say the incident is “over,” he finished by saying “I lost respect for him.”
Doesn’t sound “over” to me.
Personally, I didn’t see the race or what led up to the hostility between the two racers but I know how intense Nascar fans can be. So, I ask those of you who did see the race: Which of the Jeff’s are you siding with here?
Check out the video of the incident below:
Anyone who finds that crash believable should be watching Pro Wrestling.
That Convicted for Bribery & Mail Fraud Felon Scum Rick Hendrick has taken NASCAR to a new low.
He made a quick deal with Childress and Burton got his orders on the encrypted channel. Burton never took his foot off the gas till Gordon was on the wall!
Because the front wheel man on his sphincter boy’s pit crew was having a bad day. And he needed Gordon’s pit crew!!
jeff gordon may have been mad but knowing jeff burton you know it was not done on purpose burton schould of kicked his but
I see Jeff Gordon has made a triumphant return to his old self. He is such a whiner. It’s racing man, shit happens. Burton admitted he screwed up, and apologized for it. He didn’t do it on purpose. Besides, it’s all part of the sport. I admire those drivers that can admit they messed up. No ones perfect on the track, especially you 24.
That’s the old way of racing. Back in the day, when you did that to someone, you definitely got your a** beat!! It kept down the aggression.I agree with Jeff!
Good job by gordon,burtons crew chief should have let him know there was a caution..GO Gordon go back to ur old self u were such a better racer back then.