Burton fined $5,000 for Bristol incident

August 29, 2002

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. AP reports that NASCAR fined driver Ward Burton $5,000 on Thursday for throwing the heat shields from his shoes at Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Burton was upset with Earnhardt after the two made contact at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday night, with Burton getting knocked out of the race.

He waited on the track for Earnhardt to pass, then tossed the shields at the car. He also said on television that he wished he ``had something to shoot at him.''

NASCAR said Burton's actions were detrimental to stock car racing.