Stewart should just turn the other cheek

No sooner did the words "champion's provisional" leave Tony Stewart's lips than the malicious emails started gushing in.

	Marty Smith

In the days following Stewart's embarrassing on-air dispute with FOXcommentator Darrell Waltrip -- which began just before the Chevy American Revolution 400 at Richmond, and continued on into post-race analysis -- I've received dozens of responses requesting I use razor sharp criticism to behead the both of them.

That's not prudent. Despite the condescension of Stewart's remarks, it's not what he said that concerns me. Waltrip was crushed. The look on his face was of sheer disbelief and hurt. But ol' DW's been around the block. He's smart enough to see it for what it is.

What truly puzzles me about Stewart's remarks is that he said anything at all.

When your competitors -- former NASCAR champions, no less -- are verbally crucifying you in the media on a weekly basis, you have far larger concerns than what any television analyst thinks.

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Joe Gibbs and Home Depot have voiced no concerns, and NASCAR has done nothing but talk with Stewart about his aggressiveness. No fines. No suspensions. Nothing. All is fine on the home (depot) front, so who cares what Darrell Waltrip says?

It's DW's job to analyze the sport, and if he thinks you're a bulldozer, it's his prerogative. That's what he gets paid to do; but that doesn't mean he's right or you must agree. You can retaliate until you vomit, but he's the television personality, so he'll always get the last word.

Look at Kevin Harvick. He's learned this lesson the hard way. He's still as fiery and hardheaded as ever, and he'll still tell you where to go. But he's learned what battles are worth waging, and the proper time and place to do it.

VIDEO CLIPS Stewart has harsh words for D.Waltrip and the FOX crew Play video Stewart has had several altercations this year Play video

Waltrip's position is very similar to mine. Analyze the sport the best you can and be a straight-shooter. Thing is, no matter what you say, somebody's ticked off. Defend Tony Stewart, you're a suck-up. Say it's time to reattach the training wheels on the Home Depot Chevy, you're a pompous jerk.

By nature, you're damned if you do, damned if you don't.

No one likes being criticized. It's human nature to feel slighted, so Stewart's reaction is not uncommon. His thought process: Here's this guy sitting up there in a tie and jacket, who hasn't driven a car competitively in years, and he's criticizing my ability? I'll show him.

I don't care who you are, we all have a tendency to act the fool in the heat of the moment.

I fully understand Stewart's anger. Most of us would react in similar fashion. Payback is a part of society today. Slight me? Watch your back, buddy.

A reader named Jacob Norris wrote me the other day, copied every driver fan club in existence, not to mention dozens of my colleagues, to lambaste me for sucking up to NASCAR regarding the myriad changes the sport has undergone this season.

Rather than retaliate maliciously, I thanked him for the chuckle. He didn't like it, thought I was being snide. I'm sure he'd have enjoyed an expletive-laden response to use as proof when discussing what a jerk I am.

I'd never give him the satisfaction. The sound of silence is piercing.

Hopefully next time Tony will take a quick breath, then thank Darrell for the laugh.

Marty Smith is a senior writer for NASCAR.COM. His column appears each Thursday. The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.