Tony Stewart Makes Some Good Points, But Makes No Friends Doing It

You have to give Tony Stewart credit for one thing, he’s starting to realize when he’s going to get himself in trouble and making an effort to avoid it.

But I’m not ready to give Stewart a total pass on what transpired Saturday after the Subway Fresh Fit 500 at Phoenix International Raceway based on his explanation Tuesday on his Sirius radio show “Tony Stewart Live.”

Now Stewart’s been known to have some crazy reactions to the media over his career, but Saturday, after finishing second, he decided himself that he wasn’t going to meet with reporters. He gave no explanation at the time for his decision. He just didn’t show up to the press conference, a media gathering that NASCAR mandates the top-3 finishers show up to.

On Tuesday, in the forum that he controls, Stewart offered his reasoning for why he didn’t show up.

Stewart went on a diatribe about NASCAR manufacturing cautions to add drama to the race.

What didn’t add up was Stewart offering two reason’s for his no-show. In on in breath Stewart said he didn’t go to meet the media because he knew he would criticize NASCAR, and likely suffer their wrath for it, so he decided not to go. That sounded like a smart move on his part.

“The aggravation for me was I didn’t want to go in the media center and bash NASCAR,” Stewart said. I don’t mind doing it on my own radio show but you do it with some of these other guys and they’re going to write it wrong and make it sound worse than what it is or whatever. Which, it’s bad. Anybody that thinks this debris caution stuff is the right direction for NASCAR I think you’re crazy. We caught the pack. We caught Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick and no [sooner] than we caught them when a debris caution came out. Well, why would you do that when you’ve got three guys in a battle for the lead? I was coming so fast it was inevitable I was going to go around those guys and, of course, NASCAR throws a debris caution. Then, after I got home everybody was telling me how the TV [broadcasters] said if they could find the debris they would show it but they couldn’t find it. I don’t know how long NASCAR thinks they can treat the fans like they’re ignorant before the fans finally start turning on the officials and say, ‘Listen, let these guys race.’

“. . . They ask you to stay for media stuff but with my reputation in the sport and with my outbursts and everything we’ve become smart enough to know if it’s something where I’m going to make as ass out of myself, we’re better off to actually just leave than sit there and create even bigger issues than what we did by not going this week.”

But in another breath Stewart said he didn’t live up to his media obligations as a way to get back at NASCAR. During his comments on his radio show Stewart basically said his intention was to stick it to NASCAR by not showing up.

“When NASCAR can run a race right and not tamper with it every week like they’re doing then we’ll follow along with them,” Stewart said. “But it’s hard to follow along and want to do that stuff when NASCAR won’t even run a fair race.”

So he’ll show up for media obligations when NASCAR runs its races right? The fact is there’s a traveling media horde that chases the Nextel Cup Series around from town to town. It’s a group that has nothing to do with how NASCAR calls its races. But Stewart has decided to punish that group because of the way Brian France and company run their sport? 

This one doesn’t get a pass

I’ve been a defender of Stewart in the past. I’ve had the chance, on multiple occasions, to talk to Stewart at length about his relationships with the media. I understand the problems he had in the past. I’ve seen, first hand, media members out to take their shots at Stewart doing everything in their power to make it happen.

I’m not about to sit here and call Stewart a victim, but some of his gripes in the past about the media have been absolutely true.

I remember a few years ago Stewart showed up for an appearance at Thompson International Speedway and graciously allowed media members into the hauler where he was hanging out before the show.

With about a half dozen reporters surrounding him, Stewart sarcastically started off by saying he didn’t do press conferences on his day off.  But he didn’t try to slink away and hide. Instead, Stewart patiently, albeit jokingly at times, answered every question thrown at him. Over a 20 minute span Stewart talked about his love-hate relationship with the media, his penchant for making appearances at local tracks, NASCAR safety issues and his past battles on the track. He had fun, joking at times, laughing often and never turning away a question. It was much more than most media on hand expected to get from him.

Two days after the appearance the headline “Stewart less than affable with press,” appeared in a Connecticut daily newspaper paper that covers local racing regularly with a story attached written by a reporter that has covered the sports for decades. A reporter who was on hand in the trailer with Stewart.

The story painted Stewart’s sarcastic banter in seriousness, coloring the impromptu chat as a battle between media and driver. It was a total and absolute fabrication on the part of the writer.

“I think that most of the time a guy comes in knowing exactly what article he is going to write before he gets there,” Stewart said a year later prior to another apprearance at the track. “They’re just waiting for the quotes to put in. Chances are, that guy already knew that he was going to write a [crappy] article about me. He just needed the quote. I jokingly made some comments, and what did he do? He used it against me. That’s what he was waiting for.

“I think everybody there pretty much enjoyed our visit and the time I spent with the media [at Thompson], but one guy out of that group decided he was going to do that. Now three or four of five thousand people read that, or more. Those people weren’t in there with the five or six of us, they don’t know how the conversation went. So to me, my view is now, it’s not worth it for me. Why should I take my time out of my day to spend time with media when you can almost guarantee that somebody in a group is going to twist something I said to use it against me.”

The problem is, all Stewart did Saturday by not showing up was create more journalists looking to take him down. He gave those people looking for reasons to hammer away at his personality more ammunition. Did NASCAR suffer for it Saturday? Not really.

The one positive that came out of the situation was Stewart bringing to light in such a publicized manner the continued joke that is NASCAR’s manipulation of events, which is becoming increasingly evident week after week.

It’s not uncommon to hear some disgruntled NASCAR fans throw the old, “It’s as made up as pro wrestling argument.,” but it’s rare when you hear a driver throw it out there. But Stewart did that Tuesday.

Stewart openly wondered why NASCAR officials let practice roll on with poor track conditions but are seemingly all too quick to throw the caution during races, many times it seems at the perfect time to bring some drama back to the event.

“We get paid a lot of money to go out there and race but, to me, it’s not all about the money,” Stewart said. “It’s about the integrity of the race and the integrity of the sport and when I feel like our own sanctioning body isn’t taking care of that it’s hard to support them. It’s hard to feel proud about being a driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series when they’re throwing debris cautions. It’s like playing God. They can almost dictate the race at that point instead of the drivers doing it. It’s happened too many times this year and it’s to the point to where you just get so frustrated it’s hard to fathom why the fans, when TV is saying, ‘Hey, as soon as we can see it we’ll show it to you.’ Obviously it’s a topic of discussion or they wouldn’t even say that. They’d go to commercial and skip over it.  But enough of it has gone on that even fans are writing in, fans are calling in about it.  At what point does NASCAR get the hint?  I guess that NASCAR thinks, ‘Hey, wrestling worked and it was, for the most part, staged so I guess it’s going to work in racing, too.’”

The timing of phantom cautions is definitely something that needs to be examined, but in the meantime, Stewart has decided to make the media pawns in his game to get France and Mike Helton to do something.

That’s not right.

What would I love to see? I would love to see, the next time Stewart wins a race, nobody show up to the media center after the event. Nobody ask him any questions. See how Home Depot executives feel about that. It won’t happen. It can’t happen. But it would be great to see happen.

Shawn Courchesne, 10:46 p.m.

Comments

[Jane Eichstadt]

Tell it like it is, Tony! If just a few other drivers would have the guts to speak up, it might accomplish something. I was sitting on turn one at PIR and it finally became a joke about the cautions. One guy even figured out their formula for creating excitement. It certainly is not the racing they allow now. Keep up the good work and you have alot of fans, Tony.

[R Anderson]

I view it the same as the situation of throwing cans on the track what a few idiots do will ruin it for everyone maybe those 'few' idiots in the media that take those cheap shots and only use what they need out of quotes not the whole quote 'am glad you dont' should me removed just like the can throwers should be removed and banned I dont blame him if all the media was treated like that , they may realize that the only reason they have a job is the racers.

[Keith Cyr]

I agree that it was wrong to avoid the post race press conference. As far as "Debris Cautions"? I had a promoter that resides in Conecticut openly admit that the orchestration of "BIG" events does happen, allthough I am sure that he would not remember that he said that, or at the very least deny it. To that I would say look how NASCAR handles credentials for the media types. In years past you could be a weekly racing series media contributor and get GOOD credentials for a couple NEXTEL Cup events also without issue. NOW, NASCAR has severely limited the number of and types of credentials that they will APPROVE. Most of us do not do what we do for the $$$, but hope that maybe just an autograph or two will replace travel expences. NASCAR has taken that ability for a media type to obtain an autograph away also. IF NASCAR is going to be so controling then why don'y they make it MANDATORY for their NEXTEL Cup drivers to sit at the back of their trailers and sign autographs for a couple of hours on a Friday or Saturday before a race? The drivers have become distant from the average fan and NASCAR's controling policy has helped to CONTROL the MEDIA.... ITS about the $$$$$ and NASCAR has lost sight of the REAL FANS!
THANKS AGAIN SHAWN for your objective and interesting commentary..

[Mel Krause]

For the first eight races this year, someone with the full database should be able to show how many cautions for debris are called during the first 10 laps after green flags versus the number called 10 laps or less before a normal green-flag pit window. Interesting?

[Dave]

I have to agree with Tony 100% As an avid fan of Nascar and local dirt track racing for years I have seen the Nascar races slowly spiral out of control. Nascar is trying to dictate the outcome of the races way too much. As a fan I am getting sick of this and have started to attend fewer Nascar races each year. Shawn C. I have to applaud you on your article! This article goes against what most of the Nascar media community will report in the papers today. I don't understand why the media targets Stewart so much. Tony has done more for the racing community than the rest of the field combined. Just look at his driver charity fund and all the drivers and their families he has helped over the years! Keep saying it like it is Smoke! You have a new fan in the stands today!

[uglychuck]

I agree with Tony Stewart.
Nextel racing has become much more about NASCAR, than about racing.

With their every single move orchestrated by NASCAR, the drivers have become nothing more than NASCAR clones.

NASCAR has become an overbearing bully, in its dominance of drivers and the sport. For any driver to go up against NASCAR, usually brings stiff penalties, or even an outright ban from NASCAR racing.

I applaud Tony Stewart for speaking out. And I hope at least a few drivers have the courage to back him.

Comparing it to wrestling? Right on target.

chuck

[sylvia richardson]

Jim hunter is just one of the [nuts] that is and old poop. i for one loved that Tony told the truth. ITS ABOUT TIME.. Does the old poops thing we older fans are stupid??? we are not. TELL THE 8 OLD MEN TO GET REAL OR A NEW PAIR OF GLASSES.

[Miller]

I have to agree with Stewart here. Growing up in the South, I have been a fan all of my life. There have been the random occasion in the past that NASCAR has thrown a phantom caution, but that was on the order of 1-5 during the entire year. Now they throw 1 or 2 at every race. Couple that with the clamp down on drivers speaking their mind, rising prices, overexposure, and I am about done with NASCAR.

[Jodi]

Tony is always going to be different from all of the other drivers. But he does make a point with the cautions. NO matter what I am still a Tony fan. I think and maybe I am wrong but I think he is getting frustrated with not winning the races that he has lead or had the best car out there. It all is getting the best of him right now. He will get his win he so badly needs.

[Steve Croxdale]

I'm with the other comment; TELL IT LIKE IT IS TONY! I also would like to see other high-profile drivers (especially Dale, Jr.) step up and say the same thing. Let's not sit by and see NEXTEL Cup racing turned into a managed event. Let the drivers race when at all possible. I also am for safety first, but this whole yellow flag affair has been getting totally out of hand.

[Mayle]

Hey Tony thanks for speaking your mind, it about time a driver stood up to nascar and let the fans know what they think about the racing and so called cautions. I will be spending my time on sundays now fishing with hubby or spending time with my granddaughter, and enjoying what I took for granted, no more wasting time at a race or even watching one, this fan has had enough.

[Nicole]

How about the media being "priviledged" to speak with Tony. He is full of his own greatness. I personally couldn't care less if another person interviewed Tony, he is a self-centered, arrogant jerk. I realize that is what makes most drivers competitive, and that we would be surprised if we all knew what really goes on behind the scenes with most of our favorite drivers. But I think that they should appreciate what the fans and media do for the them and the sport, if it weren't for the fans, there would be no NASCAR. It seems like by Tony saying the media is "priviledged" to speak with him, that in turn means the fans are "priviledged" to hear his thoughts about a race/caution/practice session/new rules/whatever. That is a bunch of crap! I think it would be wonderful if the media took Shawn's suggestion and no one showed up to talk to Tony next weekend.

[Steve Croxdale]

I most totally agree with Tony. He is just layin' it out for all to think about. All good NASCAR fans KNOW that we are seeing way too many yellow flags for debris. We are all for safety and are concerned about all of the drivers. But this is a sport and not a beauty contest. I just hope that other high-profile drivers (DALE, JR. in particular) will follow Tony's lead and try to get this situation resolved. There are lots of others besides JR. that NASCAR will take notice of if they climb on now with Tony.

[Rick Clarkson]

Four second lead and you will see the DEBRIE caution that can't be found by TV cameras or all the people who work for the Fox or who ever is covering the race.Then we get the wrecks on the restart to insure more commercial time.Brian France has done alot foor good old local dirt track racing. At least there you can afford it see real racingand the cars don't have to have wings,Cause I haven't found a Impala on the car lots with a wing yet.Stock Car or at least close right.Next trick for B.France is to turn right with the Car Of Trash Fake cautions and Pit road speeding. The drivers have true right to say where can we really race LIKE BACK IN THE DAY as they say

[HC]

NA$CAR keeps dicking around like they have been and sooner or later the really good drivers like Tony are going to tell them to stick their WWE on wheels up their **** and move on to a real racing circuit. Brian France has absolutely ruined NA$CAR. It's strictly the Hendrick/France show. We all know what a crook Hendrick is, so one can suppose just how much under the table $$ he puts in Pope Brian's coffers.

[J. L. Linnell]

It's about time at least one of the Drivers said something about race rigging. Maybe more drivers would speak up without fear of the hand of the all mighty NASCAR (Brian France) Slapping them with point reductions and heavy fines.It's really hard to speak your mind when one person dictates the paychecks of not only the drivers, but racetrack owners as well as everyone who is involved in Nascar.What would Brian do if he held a race, and his drivers were all sick with the Flu after qualification on the day of a race.

[Karina]

Tony, please. Every year you never seem to disappoint with a little Drama of your own, maybe if you do not have the where with all to "Deal" with the media GET A PUBLICIST. Now don't get me wrong I'm a big fan and want you to grab the Chase every year but seriously "you don't like change" I can understand, but Nascar They want to put bums on seats and ratings on TV. It is a business and has to move forward with new new fans, new cars and new attitudes.

[Jacob Lommer]

I beleive tony stewart is a great racer. But he has an attitude you shouldnt mess with, and when you do hell explode, although he has done a great job controling after accidents on the track.

[Jacob Lommer]

I believe Debris Cautions are really a waste of time. They are pointless. Like if their is a few laps to go and their is some rubber on the track, why do it???

[Chas]

I am not a fan of Stewart but he nailed it! I hate to say it because na$car was close to a great thing,but it seems as if they have lost their way. Brian France should hire a real race director(with experience,education and most importantly common sense) then FIRE that buffoon Mike Helton. In the mean time, if you agree with Stewart then the only way you will ever get na$car`s attention is to not buy the tickets and do not attend the races. Not watching on tv has a very minor affect on them, but empty seats makes them freak out! Then they will hear us and fix it.

[Randall Sipes]

Safety is the number one concern of NASCAR and can remain so, with a common sense approach to "DEBRIS CAUTIONS. Its easy to fix. keep the cars on the field when possible, allow no lucky dogs, when and if cars need to be moved to pit lane allow no pitting of cars. keep the cars lined up in outside of their pit box. Restart the race. Do this and no one can complain about fans or NASCAR officals being biased or trying to fix the race. This is simple why could'nt Brian France think of this ??? Maybe he doe not want to give up the chance to manipulate races.

[Mitch]

One of the "debris" cautions at phoenix was for a large piece of plastic. The camara had picked it up when showing a pass for the lead.

It was a good 5 to 10 laps later before the caution flew for that piece of plastic. I'm not sure who benifited from the caution (who was about to go a lap down) but if I can see a piece of plastic blowing around 5 to 10 laps before the caution while watching it on TV, why did it take so long for NASCAR to throw the caution. It just supports what Tony and others are saying that NASCAR is trying to dictate the outcome of the races.

[Kathy]

I have been in stands at races and have failed to see the debris (WITH BINOCULARS!!!) that is supposedly on the track. I have also heard other driver's radio traffic comment sarcastically about many of these cautions. I spend a lot of my discretionary money to attend these races, but I was rethinking it long before Tony made his comments. The problem is, stupid NASCAR will think that they need to throw more yellows to bunch up the field or prevent a runaway win to make racing more exciting. We, the fans, have been complaining about this for years, and as the numbers at the gates go down, they just ratchet up the number of strings they pull!!!!

[tony]

Very well put, Nicole. Ditto for me. As for some of the other posts here stating they wish more drivers would stand up to nascar. Ever hear the old saying "Dont bite the hand that feeds you"? We as fans have the luxury to arm chair crew chief about the drivers and bash nascar as we see fit. However, as a driver or team, if you go against the grain, nascar can demonstrate their dictatorship powers. There's always the thought of failing inspection and instead of the team being allowed to fix the infraction, the car may be confiscated,or maybe torn down and looked at under the magnifying glass then returned in pieces...a few weeks later. The thought of being called in for speeding on pit road. The thought of being brought in under green for "over-aggresive" driving that was a mistake or touching during hard racing. There are just too many gray areas giving nascar the opportunity to make judgement calls. Nascar racing is a tough, unforgiving business. Most drivers don't want to make it even tougher by having to run under a different set of standards. Maybe Smoke should think about all those guys that build that beautiful orange Home Depot machine and realize that he has more responsiblity than to just be a great driver. While rambling, I'll also say my number one gripe against nascar is their deduction of points against a team for the driver's actions. Several dozens of guys build, prepare and take so much pride in delivering an almost perfect piece of machinery for the driver to do a job. It's just so wrong for those guys who work 6 or 7 days a week to be penalized for their driver's momentary lack of good judgement.

[Cindy]

I have been a fan of Nascar for many years and a fan of Stewarts since he started in the cup series. I no longer go to races because of how Nascar dictates the show. I can't stand all of the politics they push around. I wish they would wake up before its like every other cookie cutter series out there. Thanks Tony!!!

Cindy