Ryan Newman confronts Jeff Gordon after comment about costing Chase Elliott shot at first win

Chase Elliott was two laps away from his first career win in the NASCAR Cup Series until the heir to Jeff Gordon in the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports car hit lap traffic Sunday at Dover.

One of the drivers in Elliott's way was veteran driver Ryan Newman, who was racing for a playoff spot and trying to stay on the lead lap ahead of Elliott and second-place driver Kyle Busch. Instead of pulling to the high side and letting Elliott by as a common courtesy, Newman raced hard, causing Elliott to lift off the gas as Busch closed the gap.

Busch was able to get by Elliott with two laps remaining and hold on for his second straight win, but the drama on the track spilled onto pit road after the race. Gordon wasn't pleased Newman held up the leaders, likely costing Elliott a shot at the win.

"Thanks for the help," Gordon said sarcastically to Newman, who then told Gordon to watch what he says, calling it a "smartass" comment.

"I said, 'thanks for the help!'""You said it as a smartass."Here's Ryan Newman & Jeff Gordon's altercation after the race! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/pG2SdYUlbr
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) October 1, 2017

Gordon and Newman, who spent plenty on time racing each other in 15 seasons, appeared to make nice after the incident.

.@_HollyCain @DustinAlbino @jeff_gluck It looks like @JeffGordonWeb was apologizing to @RyanJNewman about something pic.twitter.com/l7NQCmG9bx
— John Haverlin (@JohnHaverlin) October 1, 2017

Newman finished 13th, failing to advance to the next round of the playoffs.