DARLINGTON, S.C. – Did feuding drivers Juan Pablo Montoya and Ryan Newman scuffle in the NASCAR hauler prior to Sprint Cup practice Friday at Darlington Raceway?

If they didn’t, neither is denying it. Then again, neither is confirming it.

Neither driver showed any lingering physical signs of an altercation, and Montoya and Newman both declined to talk about the specifics of what happened in the hauler as reporters crowded around them following qualifying Friday for the Showtime Southern 500.

“I don’t know – ask him,” Montoya said after being asked if he was punched by Newman. “I could tell you either way, couldn’t I? I could make something up. Let’s leave it at that.”

Newman was asked about the rumor that he punched Montoya and he said: “That’s just speculation.”

NASCAR said the issue might not be over between the two drivers, upset with each other over contact during last week’s race at Richmond International Raceway. Montoya eventually spun out Newman.

"NASCAR did meet with Ryan Newman and Juan Pablo Montoya today before the first Sprint Cup Series practice,” NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said in a statement. “The drivers were given their final warning and are fully aware that we will be watching this very closely.

“The meeting didn't go as well as we had hoped it would and we're not completely through with this issue."

Newman said he would continue to race hard.

“It was fine,” the Stewart-Haas Racing driver said. “With conflict, everybody has varying opinions. I just am going to try to put the whole situation past us and move on to this weekend’s race. … It’s just a matter of getting through it.

“Neither of us want to cost each other points, neither of us want to make any more conflict. It’s just a matter of going forward and having a little bit more respect for each other on the race track, I guess. He’s got a different opinion than I do, and that’s the bottom line.”

(source: Bleacher Report)