So, yes, I agree that Kevin Harvick is a bit of a hothead. Yes, he has a temper, I know. But really, honestly, is he any worse than any one else? Did he really need to finish first in our poll of the week, so far ahead with 34% of the vote? Geez, more than twice as many people voted for Kevin than did Tony Stewart! Kurt Busch finished in second, with 21% of the vote.

Of course feuds and fights make the news, so I do remember many of these incidents, even when I wasn't such a huge NASCAR fan. But I decided to really lay it all out, and see how much of a hothead Kevin really is. He is one of my favorite drivers, if not my most favorite. Does he deserve the title of "biggest hothead" too? Below, I've listed all of the incidents or quotes (that I can think of) that would make Kevin a "hothead."

2001
Oct. 30, Talladega, Cup. Harvick tapped Todd Bodine’s bumper and sent him careening into the wall. Bodine called Harvick an “idiot” afterwards, and criticized his confrontational attitude. Bodine's crew chief was fined $10K for yelling at Harvick after the race.

2002
Mar. 23, Bristol, Busch. Harvick waited for Greg Biffle after the race and grabbed him on pit road. Harvick was fined $15K, placed on probation until Aug. 28.

Apr. 6, Martinsville, trucks. Harvick spun out rookie Coy Gibbs, then refused to go to the NASCAR hauler. He was fined $35K, "parked" a race, and put on probation until the end of the year. A lot has been written about this incident too.

May 20, Charlotte, the Winston. Harvick and Ryan Newman both got called to the hauler after trading bumps during a caution.

2003
May 4, Richmond, Cup. Teammate Jeff Green gets out of his car and gestures at Harvick for supposedly spinning Green out. Harvick had no comment.

Aug. 23, Bristol, Cup. Harvick was asked why fans boo Kurt Busch, and he apparently took Jimmy Spencer's side for punching Kurt, calling Busch "an arrogant, cocky punk," saying that he has a "really, really, bad attitude" and noting that he "hates losing to a Rubberhead" (referring to Busch's former sponsor, Rubbermaid).

Sept, 7, Richmond, Cup. Harvick stomped on the top of Ricky Rudd's car. He was fined $35K and put on probation until Dec. 31, 2003. There's so much written about the incident, I don't really need to say much.

2004
Feb. 21, Rockingham, Busch. Cup Teammates Robby Gordon and Harvick get into a battle of words after Robby, a lap down, raced Harvick so hard that McMurray passed both to take the lead away. Harvick told the media to "go ask the guy guiding the steering wheel -- or holding onto the steering wheel" because it would be a "waste of air" for Kevin to talk to him.

June 12, Pocono, Cup. Harvick and Matt Kenseth both spun each other out and spent an hour in the NASCAR hauler. Harvick said that Kenseth "needs to check his ego because it's getting too big." NASCAR fined both $25K, put the drivers on probation for seven weeks, and moved each of them to the end of the lead lap, losing ten spots in race. Matt talks at length about the "feud" between the two here, which had been brewing for awhile. You can also see a picture of Kevin wearing his infamous Matt Kenseth t-shirt.

Nov. 8, Phoenix, Cup. Harvick and Kasey Kahne hit each other on pit road after the race, after battling for position throughout the race. Harvick and Tommy Baldwin scream at one another. Jeff Gordon said that Harvick "was a little high-strung today." Kahne and Harvick were both fined $10K and put on probation. Read more about the incident from NASCAR.

2005
Feb. 17, Daytona, Gatorade Duel. Jimmie Johnson slowed down, Harvick hit him (perhaps because he was bump drafting through the corner), and the ensuing wreck took out several cars. Joe Nemechek threw a water bottle at Harvick and called him stupid, and Johnson said that RCR should fire Harvick. Read more here.

May 21, Charlotte, All-Star race. Nemechek and Harvick get into a name-calling and shoving match, with Harvick saying that Nemecheck should "take that and shove it where the sun don't shine, baby."

June 6, Dover, Busch. Battling for position, Harvick and Kyle Busch slam into one another and run through the grass pushing each other. Helton called both into the NASCAR hauler. Read more here, but this is one where you almost have to see the video to understand.

July 10, Chicago, Busch. Harvick doesn't pass leader and gets lucky dog, gets slammed by Biffle. Read most of the quotes here, but really all Harvick did was say Biffle was acting like a prima donna.

I really don't think that's too bad... Two or three incidents a year, that's it. He's aggresive but honest, and he's just got a cool wife in Delana. This writer agrees with me! And at least Kevin sort of has a sense of humor (the Matt Kenseth t-shirt, the law offices t-shirt...) So, Kevin's still going to be my driver.

Maybe I'll do driver temper reviews on a regular basis...this was kind of fun! Also be sure to vote in our new poll...this one might not be as fun, but hey -- who should be getting the open rides in Cup next year?