Childress-Busch Altercation Draws NASCAR's Attention in Kansas

Credit: Jerry Markland/Getty Images for NASCAR

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – NASCAR officials are investigating a physical altercation involving team owner Richard Childress and driver Kyle Busch in the garage area following Saturday’s Truck series race at Kansas Speedway.

According to a member of a Truck team who asked not to be identified, Childress took off his jewelry before approaching Busch in the garage area and struck him with his fist.

The two were separated, traded insults and then Childress grabbed Busch in a headlock and struck him again before the incident was broken up.

The crew member said Childress initiated the incident.

Officials with Busch's team and Richard Childress Racing declined to comment on the incident. Sara Peters, the wife of Truck series driver, Timothy Peters, posted a message on her Facebook account indicating Childress had struck Busch after the race. The post was quickly removed.

The cause of Childress’ frustration was likely tied to the end of the race, during which one of Childress’ drivers, Joey Coulter, and Busch bumped each other while battling for fifth place on the final lap.

Coulter finished in that position, but on the cool-down lap, Busch ran into the right side of Coulter’s truck. “I learned a ton (riding) behind (Busch) and I know why those guys keep saying what they do. That was really awesome racing him,” Coulter said after the race. “I hate we got together on the last lap. I had never gotten tight next to somebody, so I was underneath him expecting to get loose, and I get tight and we kind of got together.”

In interviews on pit road, in the media center or on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio following the race, Coulter indicated no animosity.

Busch and Childress’ Sprint Cup driver, Kevin Harvick, were both placed on probation following a post-race incident on pit road at Darlington, S.C., last month.