Harvick, Burton deny rumors of cheating

DOVER, Del. -- Jeff Burton says the only hot air surrounding his team comes from false allegations of cheating, not the kind leaked by manipulated rims.

Kevin Harvick was firmly focused on keeping his lead in the points standings, and not on possibly planted stories that would only serve to distract from his performance at Dover.

But both Richard Childress Racing drivers vehemently denied on Friday a Speed TV report that claimed they were manipulating their wheels to gain a performance advantage in New Hampshire. NASCAR and RCR strongly denied the accusation, but Speed TV stands by its report.

"What makes me angry is that this is a lie," the usually unflappable Burton said.

Because both Burton and Harvick's cars passed inspection, Burton says NASCAR would have knowingly had to let the teams slide by for the story to be true.

"If our sport doesn't have the ability to separate fact from fiction, then our sport is in major, major trouble," Burton said.