NASCAR has denied claims that it issued a caution at the NRA American Warrior 300 because of a water bottle on the track. This issue was at the center of the argument between Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski at the conclusion of the race. Instead, NASCAR continues to insist that the caution was caused by a piece of aluminum debris.
Kevin Harvick and Brad Keselowski Discuss the Water Bottle
Kevin Harvick, who finished in third place at the NRA American Warrior 300, has accused Brad Keselowski of deliberately throwing a water bottle on the track and causing the yellow flag. Keselowski finished in second place while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. won the Sept. 1 race. Harvick has mentioned that he believes the caution cost him the lead and the opportunity to win. After the race, Kevin Harvick stated, "He [Keselowski] told me it was intentional."
Harvick has insisted that NASCAR issued a caution because of the water bottle. He pointed out, "They throw cautions when they want to, and tonight they threw it and got what they wanted." Brad Keselowski has admitted to throwing the bottle out of his car during the race, but he has also mentioned that NASCAR does not penalize drivers for littering. However, Keselowski believes that the yellow flag was not related to his water bottle.
NASCAR Explains the Caution at the Nationwide Race
NASCAR had explained that the yellow flag at the NRA American Warrior 300 was actually caused by a piece of aluminum. This debris forced the caution instead of the water bottle. However, video footage of the race shows workers at the track picking up both a water bottle and a piece of aluminum during the caution. ESPN has been blamed for the controversy because Keselowski was shown throwing the water bottle, and the image was followed by workers collecting the items from the track.
NASCAR has stood by its reason for the caution and upheld previous reports of drivers not being penalized for throwing water bottles out of their cars during races. It is a common occurrence throughout the season and is likely to continue.
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Growing up in Indiana, Lana developed a love for motorsports at an early age. She follows NASCAR, IndyCar and Formula One. Follow @Lana_Bandoim on Twitter.
