Attention Evernham Doesn’t Need
After the dust-up over the Jeremy Mayfield defection to Red Bull and the subsequent revelations of the boss Ray Evernham’s tastes for Side Dishes one would think everyone within the organization would conduct themselves in a more circumspect manner.
On the other hand it’s hardly surprising someone within Evernham Motorsports has followed the bosses lead and acted like a fool.
At this point it’s well known by followers of NASCAR an altercation occurred after the Texas event between a member of the Scott Riggs crew and Kevin Harvick, his wife and a NASCAR official.
Without going into details, that are sketchy at the moment anyway, NASCAR has acted quickly (by their standards) and has indefinitely suspended Craig “C.C.” Curione, the front tire carrier for #10 Dodge.
Possibly sometime later today (Tuesday) they will announce further penalties which obviously will include a monetary fine and I suspect loss of owners points for Evernham. Suspension of the Crew Chief… Team Director may be in the cards also.
You have to wonder if that will be the end of it when NASCAR renders it’s final judgment.
When three people go to the ground, including an official who suffered a sprained ankle, as a result being “shoved from behind” you have to know this wasn’t a love tap.
The guy was either the size of an NFL lineman or had a running start, either of which would constitute assault if the incident were turned into a civil action. I doubt if it will, but if it were my wife knocked to the ground in the gathering darkness of Texas I might be inclined to at least talk to a shyster.
We should know in a few hours how far NASCAR takes this, beyond that it’s anybodys guess what Harvick or the injured official does.
Meanwhile Ray Evernham is thinking “oh no, not another court case!”
UPDATE: Evernham has released a statement regarding this issue:
“After a comprehensive internal review of the post-race incident between Kevin Harvick and a member of the No. 10 team, Valvoline Evernham Racing supports NASCAR’s decision to indefinitely suspend the involved crew member.“We apologize to Kevin and DeLana Harvick, NASCAR, our partners and our fans for this incident. The behavior demonstrated by the involved crew member was in violation of the Valvoline Evernham Racing Employee Code of Conduct and will not be tolerated. We concur with NASCAR’s ruling and will not appeal the suspension or fine.” - James Rocco — Valvoline Evernham Racing, Designated Team Owner.
That sounds like “C.C.” will be, or shortly will be, out of a job.
It would also seem to indicate, all things considered, Ray is above living up to his own Evernham Racing Employee Code of Conduct.
Evernham Motorsports, Scott Riggs, NASCAR, NEXTEL Cup, Sports, Auto Racing, Motorsports, Full Throttle
While Harvick’s wife no doubt is undeserving of any physical abuse, I can’t say the same for Kevin himself. Ever since he went and punched out Kurt Busch while he was stuck in his car, he has relished his tough guy image.
He may have reaped what he sowed. And it’s a shame, as I truly believe his new contract in the 29 may have mellowed him and refocused his energies on winning on track.
To have a crew member go and do the dirty work is just awful. Especially when it involves other people along with the driver. For someone to push a woman down and also a NASCAR official is just ridiculous.
Let the drivers settle things themselves and leave everyone else out of the loop.
This was just way out of line for that crew member and I am sure he will get more then just a suspension and probably a pink slip from Evernham Motorsports.
I’m not so sure anyone was sent to do dirty work Tom.
My feeling is the incident occurred in the heat of passion after wrecking out of competitive spot in the race.
That in itself seems to be wrong when the replay is viewed, Riggs was clearly “out of shape” and slowed prior to Harvick making contact.