(Lead Photo: Dover (Del.) Police) In certain elements of NASCAR, a touch of violence is almost expected. The “Have at it, boys” mentality that kicked off the 2010 racing season basically put minor infraction and argument control into the hands of drivers and pit managers. A squabble in the pits or punting a car off into the grass, so long as there wasn’t any dramatic increase in injury, was written off as competitive aggression being vented properly and besides, a good fight was always good for ratings, right? NASCAR owes plenty of it’s current level of success to the 1979 throwdown between the Allison brothers and Cale Yarborough at the Daytona 500, so what’s another fight?

Well, when it’s off camera, involves a pit crew member and a team owner, and ends with a broken jaw and a stint in jail, it’s a step too far. Former JP Motorsports crew member Lawrence Hayden not only was arrested and charged with one count of second-degree assault, but he’s been indefinitely suspended from NASCAR. According to the reports, Hayden and team co-owner Jerry Hattaway were having an argument about “Hayden’s employment with the team” when Hayden started throwing punches, which broke Hattaway’s jaw. Hattaway was treated on-side at Dover International Speedway before being moved to a nearby hospital for further treatment. Hayden was released on a $500 secured bond by a Dover court.