BUSCH: Driver's fined after Darlington II

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR Tuesday penaltized four Busch drivers more than $25,000 and handed out probations for three separate incidents during Saturday's Busch Series race at Darlington.

All three ncidents that were considered by NASCAR for penalties resulted in fines. Drivers Kevin Harvick, Scott Wimmer, Chad Little and Rich Bickle were all penalized for violating Section 12-4-A of the 2001 NASCAR Busch Series rule book: “ all penalized for detrimental to stock car racing or to NASCAR.”

Busch Series point leader Harvick, who also leads the Raybestos Rookie of the Year race in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, received the stiffest fine, $10,000, and was also placed on probation through Dec. 31, 2001 for his part in a garage area scuffle with Little.

Harvick was fined and put on probation for being “involved in an altercation in another competitor’s garage area.” Little was fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2001 for being “involved in an altercation with another competitor.”

Kevin Grubb and Bickle were involved in at least two separate incidents on the 1.366-mile race track. The second left Grubb’s No. 37 Chevrolet in the wall and out of the race, relegated to a 32nd-place finish. Bickle’s No. 59 Chevrolet ended up 25th.

Bickle was fined $5,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31, 2001 for “intentionally hitting another competitor’s car during a caution.”

Highest finishing Raybestos Rookie of the Year candidate Scott Wimmer was assessed for his role in an accident that occurred near Turn 2 after the checkered flag had fallen. Wimmer was fined $2,500 for “reckless driving after the conclusion of the race.”