Over the last two years, there has been a whole bunch of talk about Robin Pemberton’s “have at it, boys” edict that gave drivers a wee bit more license to wreck each other, fight and cuss, because isn’t that what we all wanted?

Through all this, NASCAR President Mike Helton and Pemberton have said that there was a line, if passed by drivers, that would result in harsh penalties from the once-heavy hand of NASCAR disciplinarians.

Well, Kyle Busch found that line, went about 10 miles beyond it, and NASCAR parked him for it.

Early in last Friday night’s running of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series event at Texas Motor Speedway, Busch was racing with Ron Hornaday as the two approached the lapped truck of Timothy Peters. Hornaday got loose and ran Busch up the hill. Both drivers hit the wall, with Hornaday getting more damage than Busch.

Now we can debate who should have lifted when and not made it three wide until we are blue in the face, but it’s what happened next that really matters. Under the caution, Busch ran Hornaday clean into the wall, ruining both trucks and killing any chance Hornaday had to win the 2011 championship.

NASCAR parked Kyle Busch’s truck for the remainder of the event and made him sit out the Nationwide and Sprint Cup events on Saturday and Sunday. On Tuesday, NASCAR announced that Busch would be fined $50,000 and placed on NASCAR probation until Dec. 31.

That punishment seems to be the standard fare for NASCAR over the last couple of years — pre- and post-have at it, boys. The parking is not without precedent. Kevin Harvick was parked for the Martinsville spring race in 2002 for an on-track run-in with J.D. Gibbs in the then-Busch Series race. Robby Gordon also got parked once for retaliation.

If Busch can keep his nose clean for the next two weeks, then he begins 2012 with a new slate in NASCAR’s eyes. But that may not be the end of it. Neither car owner Joe Gibbs nor sponsor M&M/Mars is very happy with the younger Busch brother.

M&M/Mars issued the following statement: “The recent actions by Kyle Busch are not consistent with the values of M&M’s and we’re very disappointed. Like you, we hold those who represent our brand to a higher standard and we have expressed our concerns directly to Joe Gibbs Racing.”

Remember, it was their brand that found itself represented by Michael McDowell on Sunday.

While it seems doubtful that Gibbs will cut loose of its talented, if temperamental, driver either by the coach’s choice or by decree of the sponsor, it has been a trying year that has undoubtedly tested their patience.

Busch was cited for driving 128 mph in a 55 mph zone, had a post-race dust-up with Harvick (whose truck Hornaday was driving) and has found himself on the wrong end of a Richard Childress punch.

Let’s not forget that this is a kid who, at 26, is on his third NASCAR organization. He has left both Roush and Hendrick with less than great feelings. While he may be one of the most talented guys out there, he is going to find himself out of a great ride with a great team once again if he keeps crossing the line.

It’s not like we all don’t know where that line is now.

Contact Andy Cagle at andycagle@earthlink.net.