On the final restart of Friday night’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco 300 at Kentucky Speedway, Noah Gragson got loose underneath Harrison Burton while battling for a top-five finish. The contact sent Burton into the wall, and as a result, Burton finished a disappointing 12th.
After the race, Burton sought out Gragson for answers.
What ensued was the first fist fight in NASCAR since social distancing protocols were put in place.
PUNCHES THROWN! Noah Gragson vs. Harrison Burton at Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/4R8mqA3OD5
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 11, 2020
Burton shoved Gragson multiple times before Gragson finally started throwing fists. The two drivers go to the ground and then their pit crews got involved as well.
For Burton, enough was enough as the two have had previous issues on track.
“Just frustrated,” Burton explained after the fight. “That’s two times since we’ve come back after the COVID-19 pandemic on restarts, same situation. Rally all night to get our DEX Imaging Supra to fourth place, then the No. 9 happens to restart third and I don’t know if he forgets what race track we’re on or what, but both times he puts us in the fence.”
Gragson says he didn’t see the confrontation coming from Burton.
“Not really,” Gragson said. “We’re all racing hard. I mean, us teammates are beating and banging for the finishes at the end and whatnot. I don’t really have a comment, I haven’t really seen everything that happened. Just thankful for this opportunity and everyone at JR Motorsports for working hard. We’re going to rebound at Texas.”
