Harvick's probation extended

The 26-year-old became the first driver ever to be suspended from a Winston Cup race for on-track behaviour last Sunday and faces an indefinite ban if he offends again.

Harvick's problems with the NASCAR officials date back to the Busch race at Bristol at the end of last month. Following a post-race altercation with Greg Biffle he was fined 15,000 US dollars and warned that his driving was under investigation.

However, in last Saturday's Craftsman truck event at Martinsville he was in trouble again, twice colliding with Coy Gibbs in the race. The officials took the view that contact was deliberate and premeditated and he was excluded from the race and prevented from taking part in the Virginia 500 Winston Cup race on the following day.

His probationary period has now been increased to cover the whole season and he has been warned that "if there are any actions, in NASCAR's opinion, that are deemed detrimental to the sport or disruptive to the orderly conduct of an event, he will be suspended indefinitely."