Three-time champion among group that met with sanctioning body at Dover
DOVER, Del. -- Three-time NASCAR champion Tony Stewart confirmed he was among a group of drivers that met with NASCAR officials for about two hours Saturday evening at the Dover Downs Hotel and Casino adjacent to Dover International Speedway.
Stewart came away impressed by the intent and encouraged by the content of the discussions. He said it was the first time in his 17 years in NASCAR racing he can remember this kind of informal get-together session between the sanctioning body and a group of drivers that also included Denny Hamlin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kevin Harvick among others.
"They want to sit down, and they want to listen,'' Stewart told NASCAR.com on Sunday just prior to the FedEx 400 Benefiting Autism Speaks.
"I think it's just everyone staying on the same page which is good. It was a good thing, it was positive and makes me feel good about our sport that they want to keep everyone staying on the same page. I'd call it very, very positive."
Earlier in the morning, Hamlin explained to reporters that the meeting had been months in the making and that track safety was among the chief topics discussed.
"We’ve been trying to get all of our drivers together for about a year now, trying to get all of our ideas in one room together," Hamlin told USA Today. "NASCAR knew we were trying to form a line of communication, so they helped us start a driver council which gives us that forum to allow us to talk about things we want to talk about."
NASCAR acknowledged Saturday that a meeting was scheduled, reminding that it was merely one of many it has throughout the season with team owners, crew chiefs and drivers.
"NASCAR meets with drivers frequently on a wide range of topics,'' NASCAR Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Brett Jewkes said in a statement issued Sunday.
"As part of our ongoing commitment to foster dialogue between all stakeholders, we've met formally with drivers on several occasions this season, including here at Dover. We'll meet with them again later in the season as normal course of business. The meetings have been productive and we find the dialogue very valuable."