Tony Stewart Statement

July 12, 2001
11:36 AM EDT (1536 GMT)

"While I still disagree with the black flag penalty our team received prior to the finish of the Pepsi 400, I accept the fine and probation that NASCAR has issued to me as a result of my post-race conduct.

Tony Stewart

"Specifically, my treatment of reporter Mike Mulhern and Gary Nelson of NASCAR was inappropriate, and for that I apologize. By the time the first practice session gets underway Thursday at Chicagoland Speedway, I'll have met with Mike and I'll have apologized to him face to face. I will look for the same opportunity with Gary Nelson as well.

"For others I may have offended following the race, I regret that also. I will continue to work with all those people who support me on handling these types of situations better in the future.

"We've got a race this weekend in Joliet (Ill.), and that's what we're focusing on now. As frustrating as Daytona was for our race team, we're moving on and putting the past behind us."

* Mike Mulhern is a veteran reporter with the Winston-Salem (N.C.) Journal.