NASCAR drivers tussle in Dover

DOVER, Del. - Denny Hamlin and Kevin Harvick tangled on the track, then got into a heated exchange in the garage during the first practice Saturday at Dover International Speedway.

Hamlin and Harvick made contact during the opening laps of practice, with Harvick bumping Hamlin's Toyota and damaging its right rear. Once the drivers returned to the garage, they got into each other's faces before they were separated. Tempers quickly flared again and they went back to yelling at each other before they were broken up for good.

Hamlin knew he'd be a target when he said Harvick's crew made sarcastic comments toward him before practice. Hamlin, who said he expected retribution for comments toward another RCR team, said Harvick also got into him on pit road.

"Of course, it's unnecessary because it didn't help either one of the race teams," Hamlin said.

Hamlin is in first place and holds a 45-point lead over Harvick in the points standings.

The dustup came a day after Hamlin blasted Clint Bowyer, saying Harvick's teammate was making excuses for why his winning car at New Hampshire failed a follow-up inspection.

"I spoke my mind yesterday and I felt like I said a lot of truth, and a lot of times that's not popular with the teams that are involved," Hamlin said.