18 Times NASCAR Drivers Got Into Fights—On and Off the Track
These brawls, shoves, and full-on melees prove NASCAR rivalries go far beyond the finish line.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
In addition to speed, NASCAR is also about adrenaline, rage, and fierce rivalries that occasionally become violent. These iconic altercations, which ranged from parking lot brawls to pit road punches, fueled the flames of racing drama. Here are 18 instances where NASCAR drivers’ interactions became extremely personal.
1. Cale Yarborough vs. Donnie & Bobby Allison – Daytona 500 (1979)
Ted Van Pelt on Wikimedia Commons
The most infamous fight in NASCAR history happened after a last-lap crash. Yarborough and the Allison brothers exchanged punches in the infield while millions watched.
2. Jeff Gordon vs. Jeff Burton – Texas (2010)
Roland Balik on Wikimedia Commons
Gordon stormed down the track under caution and grabbed Burton by the collar after a wreck—no words—just fury.
3. Tony Stewart vs. Joey Logano – Auto Club (2013)
Roland Balik on Wikimedia Commons
Tempers flared after Logano blocked Stewart on a restart. Stewart confronted him post-race, shoving and yelling before crews jumped in.
4. Kevin Harvick vs. Juan Pablo Montoya – Watkins Glen (2011)
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A contact during the race led to a tense face-off post-race. Harvick chest-bumped Montoya while spitting some choice words.
5. Brad Keselowski vs. Matt Kenseth – Charlotte (2014)
Rick R. Duncan on Wikimedia Commons
Keselowski was walking to his hauler when Kenseth ambushed him from behind. In a surprise move, he tackled him near the team trailers.
6. Kyle Busch vs. Ron Hornaday – Texas Truck Series (2011)
Darryl Moran on Flickr
Busch intentionally wrecked Hornaday under caution, and fists nearly flew afterward. NASCAR parked Busch for the rest of the weekend.
7. Kurt Busch vs. Jimmy Spencer – Michigan (2003)
George Shelton on Wikimedia Commons
After a heated on-track run-in, Spencer punched Kurt in the nose in the garage. No cameras caught it live, but the aftermath told the story.
8. Carl Edwards vs. Brad Keselowski – Atlanta (2010)
Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Cat Campbell on Wikimedia Commons
After weeks of tension, Edwards got his revenge by sending Brad airborne. The wreck looked horrifying—but it was all about payback.
9. Clint Bowyer vs. Jeff Gordon – Phoenix (2012)
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After Gordon intentionally wrecked Bowyer, Clint sprinted through the garage to confront him. His crew joined, and a full-on melee broke out between the two teams.
10. Kyle Petty vs. Davy Allison – Bristol (1992)
Darryl Moran on Flickr
After a bump-and-run gone wrong, Petty and Allison traded shoves on pit road. No punches were thrown, but the tension was thick.
11. Ricky Rudd vs. Rusty Wallace – Martinsville (1990)
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A wreck in the closing laps led to both drivers meeting in the garage with raised voices and fists ready. Crews intervened before the situation escalated.
12. Tony Stewart vs. Brian Scott – Daytona (2012)
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Scott bumped Stewart during practice, and Tony didn’t take it lightly. He stormed into Scott’s hauler afterward for a verbal beatdown.
13. Ryan Newman vs. Joey Logano – Michigan (2009)
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A late-race scuffle ended with Newman slamming into Logano. Joey’s dad jumped in afterward, shouting at crews and reporters alike.
14. Michael Waltrip vs. Lake Speed – Charlotte (1995)
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After wrecking each other, Speed waited for Waltrip in his car. They got into a pushing match before crews stepped in.
15. Marcos Ambrose vs. Casey Mears – Richmond (2014)
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An altercation post-race ended with Ambrose clocking Mears square in the jaw. Mears never saw it coming. It was quick but effective.
16. Tony Stewart vs. Kevin Harvick – Daytona (2002)
Zach Catanzareti on Wikimedia Commons
Yes, even teammates fight. Stewart blamed Harvick for the crash, which led to harsh words and a heated argument in the garage.
17. Tyler Reddick vs. Ty Gibbs – Martinsville (2021)
Zach Catanzareti Photo on Wikimedia Commons
After an aggressive bump, Gibbs approached Reddick post-race. There was a lot of yelling and a little shoving. Security stepped in quickly.
18. Bubba Wallace vs. Kyle Larson – Las Vegas (2022)
Zach Catanzareti Photo on Wikimedia Commons
After contact sent Wallace into the wall, he retaliated by wrecking Larson. Then, he stormed over and shoved him repeatedly.