Bobby Hamilton fined and put on probation

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Sept. 8 (UPI) -- Veteran driver Bobby Hamilton was fined $10,000 and placed on probation for the remainder of the 2003 season Tuesday for his actions in a race last Thursday.

At the Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond International Raceway, Hamilton hit Brendan Gaughan's truck following the completion of the Virginia is for Lovers 200 race and was penalized for conduct detrimental to stock car racing. Gaughan spun into the wall after being hit by Hamilton.

"Maybe I came up on him, I don't know," said Gaughan, who finished seventh. "But Bobby's been racing a long, long time

and I can't see him doing something like that intentionally."

Gaughan is the Truck Series points leader, five points ahead of Travis Kvapil.

Hamilton, who finished eighth in Thursday's race, blamed Gaughan.

"I thought (Gaughan) was on the high line," Hamilton said. "He should've just stayed there."