The 10 Manliest Punch-Ups In Motorsport

Tensions can often boil over in motorsport, which sometimes leads to intense fights and scraps

18 May 2015

1. Nelson Piquet Vs. Eliseo Salazar

Piquet was leading the 1982 German Grand Prix when he collided with the ATS-Ford of Salazar, who he was trying to lap. Furious, the then-reigning world champion climbed from his Brabham, stormed over to Salazar and then punched and kicked him.

2. Nelson Piquet Jr Vs. Brian Scott

Piquet’s son showed his aggressive side during last year’s Nascar Nationwide Series race at Richmond, kicking Brian Scott below the belt after contact during and after the race.

3. Allison Brothers Vs. Cale Yarborough

Arguably the most famous punch-up in Nascar history, 1979 Daytona 500 leaders Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough collided on the last lap. Both retired from the race. Allison’s brother Bobby stopped by the scene, before a fist fight broke out.

4. James Hunt Vs. track marshal

Hunt was fighting for the lead of the 1977 Canadian Grand Prix as he went to lap his team-mate Jochen Mass. However, a miscommunication saw the pair make contact. The Brit was out of the race. Clearly furious and full of adrenaline, he punched a marshal who was trying to help him get to safety before swiftly apologising.

5. Tony Stewart Vs. Joey Logano

Stewart felt Logano had blocked him on a late restart during the Auto Club 400 Nascar Sprint Cup race. Shortly afterwards, both drivers and their crews were involved in a skirmish in the pit lane.

6. Sam Hornish Jr Vs. Tony Kanan

Following an on-track clash at the 2007 Watkins Glen IndyCar round, Sam Hornish Jr, his father, Tony Kanan and several members of the Brazilian’s team were involved in a post-race scrap.

7. Team Bowyer Vs. Team Gordon

Following a crash with two laps to go at the Phoenix International Raceway in 2012, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Gordon and their pit crews were involved in a brawl in the garage area.

8. Jeff Gordon Vs. Jeff Burton

The two drivers showed their displeasure after crashing during the 2010 Nascar Sprint Cup race at the Texas Motor Speedway.

9. Michael Simko Vs. Don St. Denis

Michael Simko and Don St. Denis were involved in a punch-up after a stock car race back in 2006. Simko jumped through the windscreen of the other driver’s car, before falling to the ground and throwing his helmet at him. They then traded punches on the in-field.