Last weekend's conclusion of the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway proved that Carl Edwards and Kyle Busch are gunning after each other as they chase this year's championship. The late-race bump-and-run move Edwards employed on Busch to take the lead was proof that the old-style racing Bristol is known for still exists. Busch's retaliation at the end of the race also showed tempers still get hot and rivalries do still exist - but NASCAR sees it differently.

Wednesday, NASCAR officials announced both Edwards and Busch have been placed on probation for the next six weeks. The probation takes effect this upcoming weekend at the Auto Club Speedway.

Remember a while ago when NASCAR stated it still wants its drivers to show emotions and be themselves? Wednesday's announcement proves this is not the case. Saturday night's post-race contact was well short of those we have seen in the past, and in this writer's opinion was actually nothing spectacular.

Fans love rivalries and when things between drivers get heated, fans soak it up. Busch and Edwards seem to be focused squarely on one another and it would be no surprise if they have another run-in in the future - but now they know NASCAR will be keeping a close eye.