Road rage turns into pit punches

Brian Hilderbrand and Ron Kantowski

Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006 | 7:31 a.m.

INSIDE THE ROPES: On lap 52 of Sunday's San Jose Grand Prix, Paul Tracy missed a turn and drove his car into a runoff area. Instead of waiting until the track was clear before returning to the course, Tracy drove into the path of Alex Tagliani's car, resulting in a crash that removed both from contention.

OUTSIDE THE ROPES: Tagliani confronted Tracy in the pit lane. After two heated exchanges, they exchanged blows - with Tracy appearing to throw the first punch.

OTHER MEMORABLE FIGHTS ON WHEELS

The Allison Brothers vs. Cale Yarborough, Daytona Beach, Fla., 1979: Following a last-lap crash at the Daytona 500, Yarborough wound up tangling with both Allisons in a postrace skirmish that was captured on national TV.

Kurt Busch vs. Jimmy Spencer IV, Brooklyn, Mich., 2003: The NASCAR rivals added to their trilogy when Spencer, who Busch had called a "decrepit old man," punched the native Las Vegan in the nose after the GFS Marketplace 400.

A.J. Foyt vs. Arie Luyendyk, Fort Worth, Texas, 1997: When Luyendyk went to victory lane interrupting a celebration for Foyt's driver Billy Boat, the cantankerous Texas slapped him about the ears and planted him in a flower box. Luyendyk was later declared the winner when a scoring error was corrected.

Tony Stewart vs. other drivers, photographers, sports writers heck just about anybody in NASCAR.