Opinion: Kevin Harvick needs to chill out

After Juan Pablo Montoya was rammed from behind by Martin Truex Jr. on a re-start late in the race, Montoya's No. 42 Havoline Dodge collected Kevin Harvick's Chevrolet in what turned out to be a three-car wreck. Jeff Burton smashed into the side of Montoya's stalled Dodge.

Cue Kevin Harvick acting like a goof.

Jumping to conclusions, Kevin Harvick blocked Montoya's car with his own, got out, put his hands in Montoya's face - something Montoya admitted to hating - and commenced to yell and push the Colombian driver before NASCAR officials stepped in.

A few moments later Kevin Harvick found it necessary to use profane language while telling ESPN that the wreck was Montoya's fault, despite video evidence to the contrary.

Fast forward to yesterday morning.

Shortly after fog lifted above Michigan International Speedway and the cars got rolling on the 12th lap of a rain-delayed 3M Performance 400, Montoya spun out.

Starting in the middle of the pack Montoya, formerly of Formula 1, had cars all around him, yet somehow all the drivers missed him. Montoya, to his credit, kept the Havoline car from hitting the wall.

For a reason unbeknownst to myself, this harmless spin caused Kevin Harvick to - surprise, surprise - open his mouth.

ESPN picked up audio of Kevin Harvick telling his crew, "That idiot ... it's not if he's going to wreck but when."

Here's my question: Why does Kevin Harvick care?

The accident didn't directly influence Kevin Harvick, who finished 15th to Montoya's 26th, so why does he feel the need to throw his two cents out there?

Ever since Kevin Harvick was prematurely introduced to NASCAR's top circuit after Dale Earnhardt's untimely death in 2001, it seems as though Kevin Harvick is trying to replace The Intimidator.

Bad move, Kevin.

There is only one Man in Black.

Maybe when you win 76 races and seven NASCAR titles, you'll have earned the right to run your mouth about everything and anything.

Until then, here's hoping that early Saturday night in the Sharpie 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway, Montoya puts you in the wall nice and hard. Think Days of Thunder.

In that event, I'm sure Kevin Harvick would jump out of his crippled car, throw his helmet at Montoya's car, find the nearest ESPN reporter and cuss up a storm.

But at least he'd have a legitimate gripe for once.

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