As The Engine Revs - New Season, Same Bad Blood: Stewart, Busch Trade Bumpers, Fists Fly

So, how long did it take for the drama to begin with the new season of NASCAR?  Not even 24 hours.  On just the first day of Speedweeks, the bad blood between Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch was flowing full force.  If this is a preview of things to come, man, you better buckle yourself in, it's going to be a WILD ride!

The two played a game of bumper tag during the final practice session on Friday, with predictable results.  So what happened?  Tony bumped Kurt and spun him into the wall, Tony went low and hit teammate Denny Hamlin.  But it didn't end there.  Oh, no it kept right on going. Kurt charged after Tony and hit his car...and hit it again...and again...and then he blocked him from driving off the track to the garage.

But it gets better!  On Saturday morning, Tony and Kurt were called to THE trailer to meet with NASCAR officials to discuss the incidents.  And although it was originally reported as a "civil" meeting, apparently NASCAR has a different idea about civil than the rest of us.  When they got in the trailer, Tony apparently hauled off and smacked Kurt.  Not very hard, since he didn't leave any marks, but he popped him one nonetheless.

So, what does NASCAR have to say about all of this?  I mean, we all know the two of them have a history and this altercation (on the track at least) brought back memories of the one last season at Dover International.  That time, Busch was upset (heck, he was furious) at Stewart for another on-track incident, drove next to Stewart's car on pit road during a race at Dover International Speedway, nearly hitting one of Stewart's crew members.  That one cost Kurt a fine of $100,000 and he was docked 100 points.

NASCAR officials have cracked down on misbehavior in recent years.  But, they came into this season saying they were more receptive to drivers showing their emotions - the "NASCAR we fell in love with," as NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter called it.

Both drivers have downplayed the whole incident.  And, as for bringing back the "old" NASCAR?  "When I say that's the NASCAR we fell in love with, I'm not talking about a guy taking his car and ramming another car on the race track," Hunter said. "I'm talking about drivers getting out and showing that I'm mad, I'm upset and venting that emotion. They certainly did that."

When asked if it would have been better if they had gotten out of their cars and gone at it on the track?

"Absolutely," Hunter said. "I'm not saying I would have liked to have seen them get out of the car and duke it out. If they were going to do that, I would hope they would have enough sense to keep their helmets on."

Man, this is gonna be one heck of a season!