Win may be first difference for changed Stewart

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	Tony Stewart takes time to think before Sunday's race. Credit: Autostock

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. -- Even a win couldn't heal all of Tony Stewart's self-inflicted wounds on Sunday.

One week removed from a post-race incident with a photographer at the Brickyard 400, Stewart said the introspection he gained from spending a self-imposed three days at an Indianapolis hotel may lead to a life-altering situation.

"You know, when you're a kid and do things wrong, you really don't think about them that much," Stewart said. "But I'm 31 years old now and I'm still seeking answers. I was so upset about what happened that I didn't leave the room I was staying at for three days.

"There are 42 other drivers out there that handle these situations. I guess, watching Dale Jarrett last week was probably the best example. He had the most reasons to be upset about his day and he still did what he was supposed to do and didn't have any problems like I had happen."

The negative press and fines from both NASCAR and his sponsor definitely had an affect on the intense driver.

	Tony Stewart leads Robby Gordon during Sunday's race. Credit: Autostock

"When you come to a track for a race, you basically have to put your personal life on hold for three days," Stewart said. "I think you get so engulfed in what you're doing and what's going on you finally have to take a step back and realize what's going on.

"It takes somebody to sit you down and tell you that you need to look behind you when all this is going on. I didn't like what I saw in how I treated people, my race team and how it affected my car owner, sponsors and my family.

"What I saw, I didn't like. I haven't been a happy person for the last few years. The most fun I had probably stopped in 1999."

That was his Winston Cup rookie season, when he won three races en route to Rookie of the Year honors. Back then, Stewart and crew chief Greg Zippadelli enjoyed their success without the accompanying pressures.

	Tony Stewart hoists the trophy for his win at Watkins Glen. Credit: Autostock

Stewart was also surprised -- and dismayed -- to hear that some of his crew in the motor shop at Joe Gibbs Racing had been working as many as three days straight to make the cars go faster.

"I had no idea that was going on with those guys taking cat naps here and there just to get the work done," Stewart said. "We started to put so much pressure on ourselves after that year in 1999. Whether it was rule changes, lack of rule changes, things you agree or don't agree with -- a lot of those variables in this series are out of our control.

"You can either dwell on them or just let it go and move on. Zippy and a lot of the guys have been able to do that -- and I couldn't do that.

"I focused energies in the wrong directions and all I did was make myself miserable. I was worrying about the wrong things instead of spending my time more constructively."

Last week, there were a number of closed-door, heart-to-heart talks between Stewart and his team. But instead of hanging their heads, Stewart said it was quite the opposite for the No. 20 Home Depot team.

"We qualified well and practiced well this weekend," Stewart said. "This past weekend was the most fun we've had at the track in quite awhile. And look at the results."