Tony Stewart: The fans speak out

By Dave Rodman, Turner Sports Interactive
July 11, 2001
1:02 PM EDT (1702 GMT)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- In many ways, Tony Stewart represents all that is good and pure about NASCAR stock car racing. His on-track demeanor and attitude accept nothing but victory, with concessions neither granted nor asked for.

But Stewart, who is only in his third season in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series after coming up through a gritty progression of dusty dirt short tracks and no-quarter asphalt bullrings, has had a hard time reconciling his gritty under-the-helmet temperament with the polish needed to co-exist with the media, fans and corporate representatives that are an integral part of the Winston Cup landscape.

A penalty was applied to Stewart late in the July 7 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway, when in the judgment of NASCAR officials he contravened rules that were plainly established in the pre-race drivers’ meeting. Stewart chose not to bring his Home Depot Pontiac to pit road to serve a stop-and-go penalty and was penalized 20 positions following the event, knocking him from sixth to 26th.

Stewart was irate when he returned to the garage area, and he reportedly accosted a journalist, slapping his tape recorder out of his hands; and verbally confronted Winston Cup director Gary Nelson. Stewart, who is already on NASCAR probation for a post-race incident at Bristol Motor Speedway in which he rammed his car into Jeff Gordon’s while they were on pit road, is expected to be penalized Wednesday.

As might be expected, Stewart’s fans are legion. And they reacted to the possibility of his penalty with gusto. From Monday evening until Tuesday afternoon, nearly 3,000 e-mails flooded NASCAR.com. A sampling of these messages is printed here, but keep in mind that none of the writers knew at the time that they sent their messages that Stewart was mourning the death of his paternal grandfather, Carroll Stewart, who passed away late Saturday.

* “It is time to add respect and leadership back into the sport that represents our country and is an example for our young people. Mr. Stewart is a great driver but has much to learn about being a civil human being. He must learn to accept defeat with a measure of dignity equal to or greater than the zeal and exhilaration with which he celebrates victory.” - Rodger - Virginia

* “I think that Tony’s actions are refreshing. No, children should not copy him, but an occasional outburst is fun to watch and talk about. NASCAR is the same ol' same ol' most of the time. Growing up 40 miles from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, A.J. Foyt kept things interesting. I think A.J. and Tony are from the same mold. They are jerks, plain and simple, but man can they back it up. Every racing series needs one of those to keep things interesting. I commend you on your comments on Kenny Irwin. He was a great guy and seems at times that he isn't missed. He, like Tony, as you know, are Hoosiers that many of us race fans from Indiana are proud of.” - Craig - Indiana

* “The problem is not Tony Stewart, the problem is NASCAR. You mentioned the Earnhardt deal at Bristol in ‘99. How many drivers would have gotten away with that? NASCAR has a set of double standards that is going to give them big problems some day. They are always changing rules that do nothing but cause bickering between Ford, Chevy and now Mopar drivers.

And what race was it towards the beginning of the season when they threw the red flag so they could finish the race under green instead of yellow. I thought it was a good move for the fans, but what about the drivers? They should have a rule to do that at every race to finish green, not just when they choose.

But you are right, Tony has to take his problems behind closed doors and not in the eye of the fans, mostly the kids that look up to him. All the drivers say that racers are like family -- if that is the case then NASCAR has to start acting like the parents and start treating the whole family equal.” - Rick - Michigan

* “I think Tony Stewart is a breath a fresh air in an industry trying too hard to become popular with the masses. Too many drivers are afraid to speak their minds (especially when it is a bad call) because of possible repercussions from sponsors or NASCAR itself. Gordon is a crybaby with a little talent and A LOT of money and good people behind him. Stewart made more fans running into Gordon than he could ever lose even if he was banned from NASCAR permanently. I've never been a fan of Stewart personally, but I do have to admire the way he stands up for himself.

And your comment about Terry Labonte being a good sport at Bristol when he could have won it -- shame on you! Earnhardt raced to win and I see Tony Stewart picking up where Big E left off. Even though we may not have liked or been a fan of Earnhardt you had to respect him. I think the same goes for Tony Stewart. We need more like them. There are too few men to respect in this new age of NASCAR.” - Holly - Ohio

* “I think that NASCAR went easy on Tony with the Bristol issue. A car should NEVER be used as a weapon! I understand being competitive and all that but control the anger! I'd hate to see how he would react in a passenger car in our California traffic on a daily basis.

I am also very surprised that Home Depot is not reacting to the behavior of their spokesperson. Maybe the weekend off in Joliet and some anger management classes could make him realize he's not racing in a little dirt series anymore.” - Tim - California

* “Tony is good for the sport. I say this because at least he will stand up for what he believes is correct. How is he any different than Darrell Waltrip, Tim Richmond, Cale Yarborough, or a host of others who are quick tempered but steadfast in their beliefs?

Tony is a great driver, and has many opinions to go along with his skills. He is a competitor and as such wants to win as much as anybody. The difference being is that NASCAR will impose any rule on anybody when and if they see fit, especially if it drives home a message.” - Daryl - California

* “I only hope that the powers that be within NASCAR share your opinion that Tony's conduct was way out of line and that he fully deserves to be penalized for it. You know it's always strange to me to see a grown man behave like a spoiled brat but that is exactly how Tony has behaved, not only this past Saturday night but on several other occasions in the past.

I will be very disappointed if NASCAR does not levy a substantial punishment of some kind against him as I am whenever any other major sports organization turns a blind eye to the unacceptable behavior of its athletes. They should take steps to remind him that he is a professional athlete and should behave accordingly.” - Howard - Florida

* “I do not care which level of racing you look at there will always be someone who gets hot about an incident. It is a vital part of the sport, even Dale Jarrett has gotten out of hand before. All of the great NASCAR drivers have had their moments at one time or another.

Tony has a legitimate gripe. I would have probably spun Gordon out on pit row as well. These guys add color to the sport and whoever does not like it can go watch some other form of racing. Racing is not a ‘Gentleman's’ sport so if that is what you are looking for then you need to go play polo, or watch a horse race.” - Ryan - Ohio

* “Terry Labonte had much more right to be angry for having a victory taken from him, yet Stewart drops from 6th to 26th, or gets a talkin' to for jumping into someone else’s car to try to hit him or running up Gordon's side at the Glen and he feels he should blame everyone except for himself.

Even the apologies we hear are hardly believable or accepted. I wonder if Joe Gibbs is the man I thought he was. Keeping this jerk is starting to drag his reputation into the dirt also. Money? Is this what keeps this Stewart from having to own up to his actions? - Mel - Pennsylvania

* “Many of Tony's actions are his personality. You either like him, or you don't. Every sport has their ‘golden boy’ or their ‘bad boy.’ Unfortunately tempers do flare when much is at cost and although it would be ‘proper’ to gracefully lose and accept the ruling, until you are in those shoes be cautious as to how you perceive things. Let's face it, the majority of unsettling situations are created most often by the media and not the parties involved! I believe the media has long surpassed what people used to think of lawyers!” - Judy - New Hampshire

* “Tony is contributing nothing to promote NASCAR. Yeah, emotions run high, but I can only imagine what would be my fate if I acted and reacted at my workplace the way Tony does at his. But, I cannot blame Tony for all of his actions. This situation is the same as an owner of a dog who jumps on people, he does it because no one has ever told him NO.

This is the responsibility of Joe Gibbs. He is the head, the coach and should have the ultimate say in the operation of the team. He has showed that winning is the only thing. It has taken many years and the help of many drivers to bring Winston Cup to a sport that epitomizes team work and sportsmanship, and we do not need a ratchet-a--, whiney butt punk like Tony to undue what some many have worked for.

I would like to take the punishment to a higher level and fine Joe Gibbs and suspend him from race operations. NASCAR does not need more bad press, I hope that they have the intestinal fortitude to levy punishment fitting to the crime.” - Harry - Kentucky

* “Should he be punished? Not for being bumped under the yellow line, maybe for the outburst he showed the media but people should understand what a pain in the backside some of the media can be. Shoving tape recorders in your face and crowding around you (Tony is claustrophobic you know).

His life is racing, it's his job -- if everyone stopped and thought about how they react to a simple little road incident, such as being cut off on a daily ride to work or how frustrating it is when someone doesn't use a blinker and stops you dead in your tracks -- just think how irate that makes you and if it was your job you'd probably show a little more emotion!

Tony needs to work on his ‘Cool Down Time’ but he does NOT deserve to miss a race over breaking a rule that he had little control over.” - Julie - Michigan

* “You forgot the root of the evil in the 20 pit...Joe Gibbs. Sweet-talking Joe Gibbs who just says..."that’s the spirit of a Champion." If he were the gentleman and Christian fellow he preaches to be he would have taken the spoiled little brat out and imposed his own suspension.

Instead he is all about winning. Never mind the rules! Never mind the sportsmanship. Joe Gibbs and Tony Stewart should both be given at least a week off, maybe two. After all they still have the probation still in force from their reckless disregard for others at Bristol. Break the probation and do the penalty.

If NASCAR is going to stay a premier sport, which it is now, it needs to enforce all rules fairly. Just because he drives for a bigwig team with BIG Bucks sponsor doesn’t mean he has separate rules. Home Depot should be the one walking in and demanding better behavior, unless it wants to be known as the WWF team.” - Lorin - Ohio

* “If there wasn’t drivers like Tony in NASCAR it would be the boring sport it used to be. The way I see it you say that it’s OK for people like Earnhardt to do what they want on the track but if Tony does it -- fine him -- take points away and possibly make him sit out a race.

I don’t think it’s fair, but just like everything else in this world one person has to be made an example of even if others do the same. But one day he will win the Winston championship and then you all will think he is the great driver that he is. You have to admit he does make NASCAR more exciting to watch, just like Dale did for us.” - Connie - Michigan

* “I agree 100 percent with your idea of having Tony Stewart sit out a race! He has to learn that he's in the ‘big leagues’ now and can't behave like an immature kid. If he's going to race Winston Cup he needs to show all other professionals the respect he expects to receive in return.

Your example of Terry Labonte's behavior after the '99 Bristol race was right on the money. Even if Stewart had been around awhile and paid his dues, he still ought to show classier behavior than to act like he did. That's the difference between a man and a ‘spoiled boy.’ You don't see Jr. or Matt Kenseth acting like this.” - Mary Kaye - North Carolina

* “What Tony did is what makes racing a fun sport -- not watching a bunch of guys run around the track for 90 percent of the event and then race the last 10 percent. If you can remember how the Daytona 500 first came to live television, it was after two great competitors got into a fistfight (a real fight not just words) in Turn 3.

NASCAR at one time was a great sanctioning body, they let the folks race, not like the Indy boys. If a guy wants to run off the race track at 200 and thinks he can pass let him. This sport got popular because of hard racing, arguing with other drivers, and some bumping. Let them race!” - Louis - Florida

* “Tony Stewart is just a hot head who can't control his anger. I'm sure glad the other drivers aren't that way. Yeah, some may get upset or angry about a situation but you don't see them acting like a spoiled brat! NASCAR has made a lot of rule changes that I'm not quite sure I agree with.

Let 'em race I say! These boys know what they're doing. I can see where it would get frustrating - BUT -- rules are rules! Have you ever noticed how most of Tony's fans (or at least the ones I know) are smart butts too -- my ex is one and so is others I know. Each of them are hot heads themselves!” - Jennifer - Florida

* “Tony Stewart obviously has a temper and can appear as a crybaby, but the guy was the only one that didn't lay down and take that rigged excuse for a race Saturday night. The guy runs flat out and gives fans something to watch. Your opinion of his incident with Gordon shows why we have this ridiculous society of litigious freeloaders.

‘Hands wrapped around a ton and a half of weapon.’ Oh boo-hoo. He tapped a guy encased in a steel cage with a firesuit and harnesses at about 10 mph, hardly anything compared to what they all do to each other side by side at 180 mph every lap of every race.” - Bill - Kansas

* “As a huge Mark Martin fan I have become very observant of other drivers’ professionalism and attitudes on and off the track. I can only imagine Tony Stewart's disgust of having to be associated with such a gentleman. With such a cocky attitude and short fuse he probably hates having to even say the words, ‘I'm a NASCAR Driver.’

What is up with all the people who have been smoke-screened by this moron? Is it because of his well-respected owner and true champion teammate? Possibly, but I just hope enough people will start spreading the truth about our little bad apple in the NASCAR bunch.” - Keith - Texas

* “I am a Tony Stewart fan, but a fan of NASCAR racing first. As you can tell Tony is one of the most talented and biggest competitors on the track and also one of the cleanest. I can't remember a time when Tony banged on people or bumped them out of the way. The rules that NASCAR made about running below the yellow line is not a bad rule but Tony was clearly being blocked by Benson. You know it sure seems like they are trying to run Tony Stewart out of town. Maybe it's because he's such a threat to NASCAR's golden boy Jeff Gordon. Stewart has shown that he is one if not the best talented driver out there today! By suspending him is only going to hurt NASCAR. Now I don't think Tony handled himself in the proper way but that was some very tense moments in that race and knowing that you’re on the edge of life and what Johnny Benson did could have been deadly you may have reacted that way also.” - Brian - California