Ryan Newman confronts Jeff Gordon after NASCAR playoff race at Dover

Ryan Newman and Jeff Gordon had a brief confrontation on pit road following Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff elimination race at Dover International Speedway.

In an attempt to remain on the lead lap and earn advancement to the second playoff round, Newman was trying desperately to stay ahead of leader Chase Elliott in the waning laps of the Apache Warrior 400. Newman’s efforts slowed Elliott, who was trying to hold off a charging Kyle Busch.

Busch eventually caught Elliott and passed with two laps remaining to claim the win. It was Busch’s second consecutive victory and denied Elliott his first-career win.

Afterward, Gordon approached Newman on pit road and made an offhanded remark that Newman had cost Elliott the win. Newman, who finished 13th and missed qualifying for the second round by two points, took exception to Gordon’s comment. Gordon owns a stake in Elliott’s No. 24 car, which Gordon drove before retiring following the 2015 season.

Newman: “What’s that?”

Gordon: “Thanks for the help.”

Newman: “For what?”

Gordon: “What was happening with the leaders, man.”

Newman: “You don’t think I was racing for my own position?”

Gordon: “I didn’t say you weren’t.”

Newman: “Just watch what you say, man.”

Gordon: “I said, ‘Thanks for the help.”’

Newman: “You said it as a smart-ass.”

Gordon: “No, I didn’t. You took it that way.”