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By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
March 24, 2002
5:08 PM EST (2208 GMT)
BRISTOL, Tenn. -- Still suffering ill-effects from last week’s accident at Darlington Raceway, Tony Stewart was forced out of the Home Depot Pontiac prematurely Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Stewart was running third on lap 366 behind Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kurt Busch when he spun out alone in Turn 2. Stewart immediately came on the radio and apologized to his team.
“I’m just not 100 percent right now, guys,” he said.
Following the spin, Stewart pitted and turned over the reins to relief driver Todd Bodine. After the driver exchange -- during which they somehow managed to stay on the lead lap -- the No. 20 team restarted 21st.
Bodine eventually guided the car home 15th. His effort helped Stewart remain 12th in the Winston Cup standings.
Stewart had been complaining of soreness for more than 100 laps, the result of last week’s mid-race accident that that hospitalized him for a night. After a week of rest, he opted to make a run at Bristol -- unquestionably the most physically demanding track on the circuit.
Stewart’s publicist, Mike Arning, said that Stewart visited the infield care center to receive treatment on his back.
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