One of the few instances of NASCAR doling out penalties and punishment this season came this week as a result of a spat at the end of the Phoenix race last weekend. Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Casey Mears were both placed on probation for the next six races.

Late in the race, Mears tapped Junior, causing his car to spin into the wall. On the cool-down lap, Junior spun Mears prompting a reaction from Mears on pit road. All of this nonsense caused NASCAR to throw the dreaded Section 12-4-A (Actions detrimental to stock car racing) rule at Junior and Mears, resulting in six races probation. In essence, NASCAR looked the other way.