Stewart's mother sees lessons learned in her child (cont'd)

"He always wanted to play a game," Pam said. "We played a lot of games when the kids were growing up. And everything was always a contest. Even when Tony was injured in an IRL race he came to stay with me and said 'Mom, play a game with me.'"

Shouldn't that be, please play a game with me?

When Tony was growing up, you know what the trend was, don't you?

"Tony played a lot of video games," Pam said. "I learned to play Donkey Kong because of him. One day he said let's play a video game. So I went in and it was Donkey Kong. Tony said he would go first and it was 30-45 minutes before I ever got a turn. I said OK, that's it, everybody up to bed. After everyone went to bed I sat there for four hours and learned to play that game."

I think I am beginning to see where some of that competitiveness comes from.

"The next time I went first and lasted probably only 10-15 minutes but it was better than I had even done before," Pam said. "Tony said 'Mom! When did you learn to do that?'"

By the way, here's a tip, be careful if you ever play Monopoly with Tony.

"He will never give up," Pam warns.

Pam talks about Tony's crazy schedule and his love for spending time at home in Indiana, his dogs, he has two new cats, even though he is allergic to cats. The cats Tony has are a special breed; they are Tonkinese and do not shed. I never pegged Tony as a cat guy.

"We had a cat when he was a boy and didn't realize right away how allergic Tony was to the cat," Pam said. "We had to get rid of the cat and that was tough."

Just this week, Mom got a rare call from her son.

"He called just the other day. I think he's done it maybe three or four times, ever. He just called to talk. It tickles me to death when he does. I think he does it when he just wants to relax and not talk about racing. I always try not to talk racing. I'm involved in the business of racing 100 percent of the time so I enjoy not having to talk about it. But if he wants to talk about it, I will."

Stewart's preparation and execution in 2007 have not been rewarded with the finishes he desires, or in some cases the finishes he deserves. It's kind of like landing on Marvin Gardens when you really want to land on Boardwalk. As for that phone call?

"I told him you're doing a good job," Pam said. "Being in the top 10 [in points] is really good at this point. He said 'You're right, mom.'"

Darlington has not been one of Stewart's best tracks. In the last six races there his best finish is 10th, on two occasions. His career best at Darlington is a fourth-place finish, in March of 2000 and September of 2001. In his 14 Nextel Cup races at Darlington he has led a total of just eight laps. He finished 12th in this race last year.

"I'm looking forward to Darlington," Pam said "We'll travel down there together and come back together. I enjoy being around him and not have to talk racing. It's such a nice break to get away and be with him."

What would it mean to this mom if her son could win the race where she gave the command?

"It would mean a lot to me this year," she said. "They have raced so well and there has been so much frustration. I think if he could get a win, it would really turn things around. Anytime you can get a win it really perks the guys up."

But this is one mom who doesn't count the wins before they happen.

"You're afraid to think too far ahead," she said. "I don't expect him to win. Even when he is running well late in a race, too many things can happen. When things don't go well, I'm always disappointed for him, not for me. So I have no expectations."

But she does have a ride home after the race.

"We'll fly back together Saturday night and we usually don't get home until 4:30 or 5 in the morning. My husband and I will go to church; we sing in the choir. Then we'll take my husband's mother out for dinner. Tony will probably spend the day at his house. I know how much he appreciates his time there.

"I'll have my time with Tony prior to Mother's Day. Three days together at Darlington. All I really want from him for Mother's Day is time together. He doesn't need to give me any other gift."

Pam Boas is proud of her son.

"He's is a fun-loving person," she said. "For the people that don't understand him, I wish they could walk in his shoes."

Maybe Tony and Pam will break out the video games this weekend. Maybe they'll just talk. Maybe Tony will give her a win.

Oh, I almost forgot to mention, Pam works for Tony. She is the administrator of the Tony Stewart Foundation.

"That's right," she said. "I have a lot of titles, but the first one is always Mom."

The opinions expressed are solely those of the writer.