Gordon on probation

Gordon has also been ordered him to stand in the public stocks Friday morning for a press conference at Dover.

Gordon spun out Greg Biffle on lap 64 in revenge for being spun out himself earlier in last Sunday's Sylvania 300, causing a wreck which also destroyed the hopes of championship contenders Jeremy Mayfield and Tony Stewart.

The act was foolish enough, but he compounded it by announcing over the team's radio that he was going to do what he did. Furthermore, after the race, Gordon shoved aside reporters and gave them the finger from a golf car as he rode away without comment.

Monday, Gordon issued an apology which sounded genuine. "It was a bad day that just seemed to get worse and worse," he concluded.

Childress, however, will hold him to the facts.

"Many athletes have made mistakes in their careers and would take back the negative things they've said or done if they could," Childress said in a statement. "As a result of his actions last weekend in New Hampshire, I have placed Robby on probation for the rest of the season.

"I would like to apologise to all of the fans, the media, and the teams. I also would like to publicly apologise to [sponsor] Cingular Wireless for being placed in this situation. If there is one positive, I think this can make Robby understand that there is more to racing than just being aggressive."

NASCAR immediately penalised Gordon two laps. Afterward, there were cries that NASCAR should have done more, such as parking Gordon for the duration. The penalty, however, seemed to be in line with what has happened in such incidents in the past.