Kyle Busch vs. Richard Childress and the 13 Craziest Spats in NASCAR History

Following the recent skirmish between 26-year-old Kyle Busch and 65-year-old Richard Childress, now is a good time to look back at some of the most outrageous dustups in the history of NASCAR.

NASCAR was created in 1948 and has provided its fans with numerous feuds over the years that illustrate the intensity of the sport.

It might not be obvious to an outside observer, but NASCAR drivers want to win each race just as badly as an NFL player wants to win each game. It isn't as easy to see because they are in a car for the duration of the event, as opposed to out in the open to show their emotions.

So, with that in mind, here is a list of 13 of the crazier, most memorable spats in the rich history of NASCAR.

Kyle Busch & Richard Childress (2011)

Kyle Busch gave what he described as a victory tap to Richard Childress' truck driver Joey Coulter. Childress took offense to the maneuver, which he didn't think was as innocent as Busch made it out to be.

There is no video of the incident, but eyewitnesses said Childress got Busch in a headlock and gave him a few shots to the skull.

Despite being 39 years older than Busch, Childress was clearly the aggressor and was fined $150,000 for his actions.

Kevin Harvick & Juan Pablo Montoya (2007)

This feud might more accurately be described as Kevin Harvick's battle with reality. Harvick thought Juan Pablo Montoya ran him off the track due to being overly aggressive.

In reality, Montoya had been pushed from behind by Martin Truex Jr. and lost control.

Harvick came out of his car and made a dash toward Montoya. After trying to clarify the situation, Montoya decides to fight back, making for some good television.

If the situation was reversed, Montoya would have probably done the same thing as Harvick in the heat of the moment.

Carl Edwards & Matt Kenseth (2007)

The reason the feud between Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth is so crazy is because they are teammates. Usually disagreements between teammates are handled behind closed doors, but apparently this discussion couldn't wait.

This is the type of thing that Edwards likely regrets doing, especially with cameras rolling. Anytime these two have even a minor disagreement now a days, this situation is always brought back up.

Kenseth looked legitimately scared at certain points in the video, which makes it even more crazy.

Michael Waltrip & Robby Gordon (2005)

Feuds in NASCAR are always better when somebody decides their helmet is a weapon. Walking into traffic to make it happen? Even better. That is exactly what happens in this dispute between Michael Waltrip and Robby Gordon.

Gordon is unhappy after being spun-out by Waltrip and figures the only way to feel better about it is try to throw his head gear through Waltrip's window.

He fails, but in the ensuing interview he calls Waltrip a “piece of shit.” For somebody with three wins in 20 years, it seems Gordon still thinks pretty highly of himself.

Kevin Harvick & Joe Nemechek (2005)

Two years before feuding with the physically fit Juan Pablo Montoya, Kevin Harvick set his sights on the older, less athletic Joe Nemechek.

The common theme between the two incidents, however, is that Harvick appeared to be targeting the wrong man.

Nemechek did in fact take Harvick out, but was hit from behind forcing him into the side of the 29 car and totaling both cars in the process.

Nemechek wasn't happy with Harvick's reaction after the race, saying he was “just being an idiot, just being Kevin.”

Kurt Busch & Jimmy Spencer (2003)

In another generational battle, Kurt Busch and Jimmy Spencer's feud reached a breaking point in 2003. Busch made some interesting comments over his radio about attempting to take out Spencer, but he downplayed their importance.

Whenever there is an extended back-and-forth between two drivers, the resentment often leads to bad decisions and that seems to be the case on Busch's part. The war of words made this one of the more intriguing conflicts of the past decade.

Ricky Rudd & Kevin Harvick (2003)

Kevin Harvick has made it a trifecta of appearances on this list. Unlike the first two times he was listed, however, this time he was right. Ricky Rudd catches Harvick on the bumper and sends him into the wall with Harvick running in second place.

The added element in this faceoff is the pit crews. The two teams converge on each other when Harvick pulls up next to Rudd on pit road and for a few seconds it had the feel of a benches-clearing brawl in baseball.

Words are exchanged and some objects are thrown, an all-around good feud.

Elliott Sadler & Ryan Newman (2002)

We have another helmet toss in this feud, which guaranteed it a spot on the list. After Ryan Newman gave Elliott Sadler a jolt sending him into spin and out of the race, Sadler showed off his arm.

Sadler floated his helmet over another car and hit Newman's car right on the sponsor's logo.

Being an All-Star race, there was big money on the line. That brought tension to a whole new level and Sadler didn't appreciate being knocked out so quickly.

Sadler later apologized for his actions, saying he was just disappointed to lose such a good race car.

Kevin Harvick & Greg Biffle (2002)

The King of Feuds, Kevin Harvick, makes his fourth and final appearance on the list. Harvick wasn't happy with Greg Biffle, who had gave him a pretty big shot. Harvick goes on to show off some pretty impressive athleticism chasing down Biffle.

The two get into a heated exchange as NASCAR officials swarm the area to diffuse the situation. Both guys seems to get a shove or two in before they are separated, but in terms of actual anger seen in these situations, this one ranks right near the top.

Kenny Irwin & Tony Stewart (1999)

Tony Stewart had spun out Kenny Irwin twice during the race, but didn't cause enough damage to knock him out of the race. That turned out to be bad news for Stewart, as the veteran came back for revenge and turned Stewart around and into the wall.

In a variation from the helmet throw, Stewart decides that his racing gloves could cause some real problems for Irwin and whips them at his car.

He then tries to punch him through the passenger-side window. Stewart was just breaking into NASCAR, so it took some guts to do what he did.

Rusty Wallace & Darrell Waltrip (1989)

Rusty Wallace takes out Darrell Waltrip in the high-stakes All-Star race and goes on to win the race. After the race ends, fireworks begin to fly after a running shoulder barge from a member of Wallace's crew.

Unlike most of the other spats on the list, this one had some extended fighting. Both sides get their fair share of shots in and make their opinions known.

As mentioned in the video, this feud changed the paths of both careers. Wallace became a hated figure while Waltrip became the fan favorite we know today.

Dale Earnhardt & Bill Elliott (1987)

Another All-Star race moment that led to a disagreement. Two of the giants of the sport, Dale Earnhardt and Bill Elliott, battled for the crown in the 1987 race and, despite being sent into the grass, Earnhardt was able to regain control and hold on for the victory.

Elliot's car seemed to be faster than Earnhardt's, but Earnhardt was able to block effectively to maintain the lead. When his car got sent onto the grass following a bump from Elliott, his amazing save and subsequent cut-off was the final straw for Elliot, who had strong words in the post-race interview.

Donnie Allison & Cale Yarborough (1979)

Perhaps the most important moment in the history of NASCAR came when Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough battled toward the finish line at the Daytona 500 in 1979.

The aggressive driving by both men led to a crash that cost them both the race, as Richard Petty picked up the win.

Allison and Yarborough met on the infield and began to exchange punches. The battle lasted for a few seconds, including some helmet swings, before it was broken up.

Neither guy was able to agree who was at fault for the crash, but one thing's for sure: it changed the course of NASCAR for the better.