Driver receives black flag after not taking mandatory driver weigh-in
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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — On-track performance might weigh on Tony Stewart’s mind. But off-the-track weighing clearly wasn’t on his mind before Friday’s Sprint Unlimited practice at Daytona International Speedway.
Stewart was the subject of the season’s first summons to the NASCAR hauler, just after opening practice began on the 2.5-mile track. The consultation came moments after his Stewart-Haas Racing No. 14 Chevrolet received the black flag.
The three-time Sprint Cup Series champion had neglected to take the mandatory driver weigh-in before the track was open. He initially ignored a radio communication to report back to the garage, resulting in the hauler call.
Stewart brushed past reporters, vehemently refusing comment after series officials bent his ear. But Stewart issued a statement of sorts via Twitter:
Well NASCAR felt compelled to make me the first to be called to the trailer 10 min into the first practice of the year. #greatstart #NASCAR
— Tony Stewart (@TonyStewart) February 14, 2015
Stewart wasn’t the only driver who failed to pay a visit to the scales before Friday’s pair of Sprint Unlimited practices. Denny Hamlin and Clint Bowyer were both required to weigh in after initially getting into their cars and taking to the track.