DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR has indefinitely banned a driver's girlfriend from all events for slapping a rival racer after the Truck Series race Sunday in Bowmanville, Ontario.
NASCAR said Wednesday that Kelly Heaphy, driver Mike Skeen's girlfriend, also was fined $2,500 for slapping Max Papis in the face. Bryan Berry, Skeen's crew chief, was also fined $2,500.
Papis and Skeen had been battling for third in the closing laps of the race until contact between the two on the last lap. The two hit again during the cool-down lap, and Papis voiced his displeasure about Skeen during his post-race interview. Heaphy then approached Papis and slapped him.
Papis finished sixth in the road race, and Skeen was 13th.
"I'd like to apologize to our sponsors, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park and especially the fans on behalf of everyone at Sharp-Gallaher Racing for the incident that occurred following Sunday's race," said team co-owner Eddie Sharp Jr. in a statement. "Although Kelly Heaphy is not an employee of SGR, we absolutely do not condone actions such as these from anyone associated with our organization. It is a shame that this overshadowed the first-class event that NASCAR delivered in Canada. We have nothing but respect for NASCAR, and will not appeal the penalty assessed to crew chief Bryan Berry."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.