Associated PressCONCORD ó Photographs of the scuffle between Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick show a more physical confrontation than witnesses described, with Edwards at one point grabbing Harvick by the throat.
The two NASCAR stars argued during Thursday’s practice when Edwards confronted Harvick in his garage stall at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The photographs, obtained Saturday by The Associated Press, show the two drivers clutching each other as their conversation grew heated.
In the five different frames, Edwards is shown grabbing Harvick by the throat, and Harvick pushing him off him and onto the hood of Harvick’s car.
Witness accounts said the two argued, Harvick turned to walk away from Edwards, and Edwards grabbed his shoulder to turn him back around. Witnesses said Harvick responded by shoving Edwards onto the car, and crew members rushing in to separate the two.
Edwards allegedly was put in a headlock by a Harvick team member as the drivers were separated.
“It’s pretty well-documented everything that happened,” Harvick said Friday. “Best thing I can tell you is we were in our pit stall and just protected our turf.”
The two have been squabbling since last Sunday, when Edwards triggered a 12-car crash that took out several championship contenders at Talladega Superspeedway. Edwards immediately accepted blame for the accident.
NHL
TAMPA, Fla. ó Eric Staal scored the tying and winning goals to lead Carolina to a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay in overtime.
Rod Brind’Amour and Matt Cullen also scored.
Rangers 4, Flyers 3
PHILADELPHIA ó Nikolai Zherdev scored the first of four first-period goals, and the New York Rangers remained unbeaten with a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Saturday night.
Panthers 3, Thrashers 2, OT
SUNRISE, Fla. ó David Booth scored his second goal of the game with 1:06 left in overtime.
Red Wings 3, Senators 2
OTTAWA ó Johan Franzen scored twice in the third period to rally Detroit.
Islanders 5, Blues 2
UNIONDALE, N.Y.ó Mike Comrie, Trent Hunter, Sean Bergenheim and Andy Hilbert all tallied in the first 20 minutes of the home opener.
Capitals 4, Blackhawks 2
WASHINGTON ó Alex Ovechkin scored twice, a sprawling Brooks Laich was credited with the go-ahead goal after a replay review, and Washington rallied to beat Chicago.
Canadiens 6, Maple Leafs 1
TORONTO ó Montreal newcomer Alex Tanguay had a goal and three assists to help the Canadiens rout Toronto for their first victory in their centennial season.
Devils 2, Penguins 1, OT
PITTSBURGH ó Zach Parise’s wrist shot from the left circle sailed past Marc-Andre Fleury’s glove with 37.6 seconds left in overtime.Predators 3, Stars 1
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ó Jason Arnott scored two power-play goals and had an assist for Nashville.
Wild 4, Bruins 3
ST. PAUL, Minn. ó Eric Belanger scored twice, and the Wild welcomed former goalie Manny Fernandez back to Minnesota with a three-goal second period.
RACING
MIAMI ó Helio Castroneves can leave the country for an IndyCar event this month in Australia after a federal judge agreed to modify bail conditions on tax charges the driver’s facing.NBA
OAKLAND, Calif. ó The Golden State Warriors suspended injured guard Monta Ellis for 30 games without pay Saturday for violating his lucrative new contract by getting into a moped accident in the offseason.
Ellisagreed to a six-year deal worth $66 million during the summer.
GOLF
SAN ANTONIO ó South Africa’s Rory Sabbatini birdied the final hole for a 7-under 63 and a one-stroke lead over Zach Johnson on Saturday in the Texas Open.
– TIMONIUM, Md. ó Nick Price moved into position for his first win on the Champions Tour, shooting a 66 to take a one-shot lead after three rounds of the Senior Players Championship.
BOXING
BERLIN ó Vitali Klitschko reclaimed the WBC heavyweight title Saturday night, stopping Samuel Peter at the end of the eighth round. The 37-year-old Ukrainian is 36-2, 34 KOs).