After a crash with Ty Dillon in the Camping World Truck Series race Saturday, Harvick called the Dillons "punk-ass kids" and "rich kids" who were given everything they've gotten. “That’s exactly the reason I’m leaving RCR is because you’ve got those punk-ass kids coming up," he said.

The next day, Harvick apologized for his comments, which infuriated team owner Richard Childress, the grandfather of the Dillon brothers. 	“Things are said in the heat of battle,” Dillon said on SiriusXM’s NASCAR channel Wednesday. “I’ve learned that it’s better to forgive someone for what they’ve said. I forgive him already.”

Harvick has driven in Cup for 13 years at RCR, where he replaced seven-time Cup champion Dale Earnhardt after Earnhardt’s death in the 2001 Daytona 500. Austin Dillon is expected to replace Harvick in the Sprint Cup Series next year.

“Kevin Harvick is somebody in my family that is a hero, was a hero and probably still will be,” Dillon said on SiriusXM. “At a tough time when RCR needed someone to step up, Kevin Harvick did and has kept RCR up front in NASCAR for a long time.

“I’ve learned a lot from him over the years, good and bad. He’s a great racecar driver. … It definitely hurts to hear those things from him when it comes out like that.”

As far as the actual inference that he has had everything given to him, Austin said he knows he has the benefit of getting an opportunity with his grandfather's team but that he has worked hard to make the most of it. Austin won the Camping World Truck Series championship in 2011, the same year brother, Ty, won the ARCA title. Austin is leading the Nationwide Series standings this year, while Ty is third in the truck series.

RCR CREWMEN FINED, SUSPENDED

Richard Childress Racing crew chief Paul Marcus Richmond has been fined $10,000 and a crew member suspended indefinitely as a result of the team’s confrontation with Harvick during the truck series race at Martinsville last week.

Harvick, who was driving for NTS Motorsports, was involved in a late wreck with RCR’s Ty Dillon. After the incident, Harvick hit Dillon’s truck under caution. When he returned to pit road, a member of Dillon’s crew allegedly threw a hammer at Harvick’s truck.

RCR crewman Adam Brown was suspended indefinitely Thursday for actions detrimental to stock-car racing for “throwing an object at a competitor’s race truck.”

Richmond was fined because the crew chief is responsible for his crew.

The incident escalated when Harvick called Austin and Ty Dillon, team owner Richard Childress’ grandsons, “punk-ass kids” and “rich kids.”

“I don’t care what they throw at me,” Harvick said. “That’s exactly the reason I’m leaving RCR is because you’ve got those punk-ass kids coming up.”


NO MORE SEXY ADS FOR DANICA


GoDaddy isn't done with Danica Patrick. The company is just done using her in risqué innuendos with its Super Bowl ads.

The website hosting company will put Patrick in her 13th Super Bowl commercial — more than any other celebrity — on Feb. 2 but the storyline could be more conservative and much more tame than its typical racy ads. GoDaddy, under new CEO Blake Irving, is trying to deliver its company message more than just trying to get noticed.

"I love what's going on at GoDaddy," Patrick said in a news release. "Since our last Super Bowl, I've been to the new Silicon Valley office and talked with customers who are genuinely grateful for how GoDaddy helps them grow their businesses online. GoDaddy is for the go-getter, the 'little guy' looking to compete with the 'big guys' and I love that."

Patrick has been in Super Bowl ads since 2007 for her sponsor, which hit the Super Bowl stage eight years ago with a "wardrobe malfunction" ad. Since then, it often has played off the sexuality of its characters to drive interest in its company.

"The initial ad drove a whole lot of media attention, which was great for a young company starting out," GoDaddy Chief Marketing Officer Barb Rechterman said. "Now, we've matured. We've evolved. Our new brand of Super Bowl commercials will make it crystal clear what we do and who we stand for. We may be changing our approach, but as we've always said, we don't care what the critics think. We are all about our customers."


TWEET OF THE DAY

What sports figures are saying in 140 characters or less.

— “I am looking forward to working with world class teammates @StewartHaasRcng @KevinHarvick @DanicaPatrick #RaceTime” — Kurt Busch, who is moving to Stewart-Haas next season.

— “I am not a bad boy I am an OUTLAW!!! LOG #RaceTime” — Busch, in a follow-up tweet during a chat with fans


PHOTOS OF THE DAY


— Jimmie Johnson went Duck Dynasty for Halloween.

— Todd Bodine was inviting people to his own haunted house.

Contributors: Bob Pockrass, Jeff Owens