Dale Jr docked points for swearing.

A four letter word during his post race victory celebration last Sunday at the Talladega Superspeedway has cost Dale Earnhardt Jr ten thousand dollars and 25 NASCAR Nextel Cup points.

While conducting his victory lane interview, Earnhardt Jr uttered the 'S' word on live TV when asked what his fifth career victory at the 2.66-mile tri-oval meant in the greater scheme of things. Earnhardt Jr's answer, a candid 'It don't mean s**t right now,' related to the fact that his late father Dale Earnhardt holds ten carer victories at Talladega.

NASCAR has thus penalised Junior and his #8 Budweiser DEI team 25 Championship points and fined him $10,000 dollars. The penalty drops Earnhardt Jr from first to second in the Championship standings, 12 points behind Kurt Busch.

Earnhardt Jr and DEI will appeal the decision.