Three-time champion clears air after Richmond, seeks Talladega turnaround
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TALLADEGA, Ala. — Tony Stewart has heard the talk-radio callers and seen the posts on social media, his mighty fandom worried about the three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champ’s slow start to the season.
He’s frustrated too. But he’s also hopeful.
The video has been replayed repeatedly showing Stewart throw his helmet and HANS device into the back of his team’s race hauler after a late-race accident at Richmond International Raceway with Dale Earnhardt Jr. last Sunday ended one of the better runs he’s had this season.
“That wasn’t frustration at Dale Jr., that was frustration that we haven’t had many days where we were running as well as we were that day. … and then to have it end up like that,” Stewart said Saturday from Talladega Superspeedway. “Junior and I are friends. We’re fine.”
Dressed in golf clothes, eating a sandwich before heading out to an afternoon round of golf — his new hobby — Stewart sat down for a rare one-on-one interview this season. Certainly aggravated by unacceptable results in the 2015 season, he was also steadfastly committed to getting things on track.
He has only one top 10 in nine starts and five finishes 30th or worse. He’s ranked 30th in the championship standings — the minimum points position a race winner must have to qualify for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Stewart has heard the critics, but remains his own worst. He says the new rules package with the cars — high downforce and low horsepower — does not suit his style. In fact, it is the opposite of everything he’s ever driven. So even a driver with 48 Cup wins and three championship trophies is learning all over again.
“It’s like I’m in the middle of a calculus equation, and I didn’t take pre-calculus,” Stewart said. “I’m working on it.”
The part that upsets him most is any blame directed toward his crew chief, Chad Johnston. Stewart says the two have the best driver-crew chief relationship he’s ever had and has nothing but good things to say about Johnson’s talents.
“Chad isn’t getting the results he deserves,” Stewart said.
The pair did have some encouraging results with the No. 14 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Boats Chevrolet SS in qualifying for Sunday’s GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Stewart rolled off sixth, tying his best qualifying effort of the season at Martinsville Speedway, but would finish 19th.
As far as his Stewart-Haas Racing team, Stewart is very happy for his other drivers. Reigning Sprint Cup champ Kevin Harvick has a pair of wins and leads the championship standings. Kurt Busch won last week at Richmond to earn his Chase berth and for more than a month, Danica Patrick has been inside the top-16 in points — the cut-off mark to qualify for the Chase.
He sounds like a proud father talking about the trio. And as for the news this week about Patrick needing a new primary sponsor for next year and her status in a contract year, Stewart was upbeat.
“Are you kidding me? She’s the most marketable driver in the sport,” Stewart said. “And as for her driving, I’ve never been more proud of her.”
Still, Stewart wants nothing more than to beat her to Victory Lane this year — winning for his fans as much as for himself. He said it’s frustrating to hear his longtime supporters doubt him.
Reminded that the summer months have traditionally tended to be his time to collect race trophies, Stewart sat back and smiled.
“I pray that’s the case,” he said. “I’m hoping so.”