By JENNA FRYER, AP Motorsports Writer
September 19, 2005

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) -- Kasey Kahne and Robby Gordon avoided suspensions Monday when NASCAR instead fined both drivers for road-rage incidents in New Hampshire.
Gordon was fined a total of $35,000 and docked 50 points in the driver standings. His penalties were for intentionally trying to hit Michael Waltrip's car during Sunday's race at New Hampshire International Speedway, throwing his helmet at Waltrip's car, and cursing during a television interview.
Kahne was fined $25,000 and docked 25 points in the driver standings for intentionally hitting Kyle Busch's car as retaliation for an earlier accident.
``There have been a growing number of incidents lately where drivers have taken matters into their own hands,'' NASCAR president Mike Helton said. ``Such unsafe and inappropriate behavior has to stop.
``NASCAR will use whatever means necessary to stop it.''
But both drivers actually got off easy considering the harsh tone from NASCAR officials that hinted at suspensions following the accidents.
``We're going to do whatever we need to do, whether it's to park a guy for a week or park a guy for nine weeks,'' spokesman Jim Hunter said after the race. ``We're going to do whatever we need to do to prevent retaliation on the racetrack.''
Instead, Kahne and Gordon essentially got off with a slap on the hand.
For example, Busch Series driver Martin Truex Jr. was fined $10,000 and 25 points for using an obscene gesture earlier this month. Last season, Dale Earnhardt Jr. was fined $25,000 and 25 points for cursing in a television interview.
In addition to their penalties, both Kahne and Gordon were placed on probation until the end of the season and their car owners were also penalized. Ray Evernham, Kahne's car owner, was docked 25 points and Jim Smith, owner of Gordon's car, was docked 50 points.
The points deductions does not really hurt either driver because neither are involved in the Chase for the Nextel Cup championship.
Also penalized Monday was Waltrip, who was fined $10,000 and 25 points for using an obscene gesture during the televised broadcast, and his car owner, Teresa Earnhardt, who was penalized 25 points.
Lance McGrew, crew chief for Brian Vickers, was fined $10,000 and placed on probation for the remainder of the year because their car failed pre-race inspection. Vickers was also penalized 25 driver points and car owner Mary Hendrick was penalized 25 points.