Stewart makes visit to NYPD precinct, FDNY

NEW YORK - Tony Stewart isn't one to put up a front for anybody -- about anything. So when he vocalizes how deeply something moved him, you can guarantee he was touched.

Such was the case Tuesday afternoon, Stewart's second day of festivities during Championship Week in Manhattan. Stewart, the 2002 Winston Cup Series champion, visited the Midtown North Precinct of the New York Police Department, and Engine 22, Ladder 13 of the Fire Department of New York.

During both visits, he came eye-to-eye with the men and women that worked so bravely and tirelessly following the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on America, and came away with the most fulfilling portion of his championship reign to date.

"I can say this - meeting the President and meeting these two groups of people today have been the highlight of my trip so far. By far," said Stewart, who spent a half-hour Monday in the Oval Office with President George Bush before heading to New York for the Championship Week festivities.

Spending time with the most powerful man in the world was humbling, but no much more so than spending time with those who gave so much to their fellow man.

PHOTO GALLERY  Check out all the photos from Tony Stewart's appearance Tuesday on the Today show.

"You walk in and don't know really, when you go there, how much that day impacted these guys," said Stewart, his head obviously churning with visions of what he'd just witnessed.

"The first thing you see is (pictures of) nine of their coworkers and friends that lost their lives here. So that really sets a tone for you when you walk in here."

Upon entrance to the firehouse, Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli were greeted with open arms from a fire force full of NASCAR fanatics who yearned to soak up every last bit of time with the championship driver and crew chief.

"To see how upbeat they are just to see you, and know how much it means to them that you took time out of your schedule to come hang out with them and how much that means, it's really amazing," Stewart said.

"Then you see the chalkboard on the wall, that shows you who was working what positions that day when they left, and to only see four check marks on there -- the four guys who were the ones to come back -- just to see all the memorials and tributes to those guys is very powerful, a powerful scene."

The scene at the police station was much the same, as Stewart and Zipadelli spent time exchanging stories with, and signing autographs for, some 30 policemen.

	Credit: NASCAR

One officer in particular, Doug Dellio, was so excited for Stewart's visit that he ventured to work Tuesday with a framed Stewart lithograph and a poster, both of which were signed.

During the visit to the police station, Stewart had a revelation - our law enforcement officials are much like him.

"I've sat in traffic many times, been mad at police officers when they've pulled me over, but when you meet these guys, it's like, people have the same perception of me - they don't know me and they have a bad impression of me off of something I do," Stewart said.

"But then they spend a half hour with me and realize that I'm not what they think I am. It's the same way with policemen. They probably get the worst rap of anybody, and they're working their tales off to keep us all safe. They don't get appreciated enough for the hard work they do.

"And to be able to go spend time with them and just be in a casual setting where they're not busy at the time, and hear them joking around and cutting up and carrying on. It really makes you proud to have that time with them."

Overall, Day 2 of Championship week was quite special for Stewart. Alongside his visits with the police and firemen, he did a pair of television interviews, On the Record with Greta van Susteren and The Best Damn Sports Show Period.

Both paled in comparison to hanging with a group of true American heroes.

"I guess I didn't know for sure, when I went in there, how many of those guys were really in there (during 9-11)," Stewart said. "But four of those guys were there and came back, and are still there (at FDNY). That's strong stuff right there. Strong stuff."

You bet it is. Otherwise Stewart wouldn't say it.