Gibbs Doesn’t Like Stewart’s Racing on the Side
Quote selected text Published June 14th, 2006 in NASCAR NewsCar owner Joe Gibbs says he won’t keep Tony Stewart from running in races other than Nextel Cup events, but Gibbs is not fond of the practice as his driver recovers from a broken shoulder blade.
Stewart’s injury was discovered after he crashed in last month’s Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The incident happened a night after Stewart wrecked in the Busch race. A doctor cleared Stewart after the Busch incident, but Stewart favored his right shoulder before the Cup race.
Gibbs is sensitive to his Cup drivers competing in other events. Bobby Labonte broke his shoulder blade in a Busch crash at Darlington in 1999. Labonte didn’t return to that series the rest of the year.
Gibbs says he’s talked to Stewart about the driver’s racing schedule.
“I think for younger guys that have a chance maybe to up their careers and want laps and all that, that’s one set of circumstances,” said Gibbs, who has Cup rookies Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley, both driving full time in the Busch series. “For Tony, it’s different.
“He can drive anything. He doesn’t need laps. I know he loves it. We did limit a lot of things he’s done. He’s worked with us on that. He’s got a lot to lose. He’s got contracts that pay him a lot of money.”
Stewart, fourth in the Cup standings, has competed in five Busch races for Kevin Harvick’s team. He’s scheduled to drive five more Busch races for Harvick, beginning at Daytona next month.
Stewart was uninjured when his car got upside down in April’s Busch race at Talladega. He suffered sore ribs in January after he flipped a midget car in two separate incidents.
Gibbs says that once drivers begin competing for a Cup title that’s where he wants his drivers spending less time in other series.
So, what happens if Hamlin, ninth in points after winning at Pocono last weekend, makes the championship chase this season? Would Gibbs pull him out of the Busch series?
“I think at some point, though, if he winds up in that top 10 this year and it looks like that that’s the type of racer he’s going to be, you have to have serious talks about it,” Gibbs said.
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Tony Stewart is a very talented hard-nose driver and he’s a great guy to boot. I really wish he would’ve stayed out of his ride at the Coca-Cola 600 in order to heal from his prior injuries.
I had an opportunity to talk with him at the driver/owner meetin’ at Lowe’s Motor Speedway just before the race and I could see right away he was already in a great deal of pain. His thumb was tucked in the right pocket of his blue jeans in order to support and nurse an already achin’ solder and he had to pay his respects to me by shaking hands left handed. Although I didn’t wish any harm to fall upon him I couldn’t help but think that at some point durin’ the race he would be in some serious trouble.
Although I can certainty understand Mr. Gibbs concerns with keepin’ Smoke from takin’ any unnecessary risks by spendin’ less time in the other racin’ series, I still can’t help but feel his safety issues for Tony would’ve been better served by keepin’ him out of the 600. I’m sure Mr. Gibbs tried and we all know Tony’s strong will prevailed, but regardless, sometimes a man has to do what a man has to do and lay down the law to his drivers.
No matter if you’re a NASCAR seasoned veteran or an up and comin’ rookie, any (track time) is good practice time behind the wheel and that’s time well spent. I understand reservin’ considerations for the big money sponsors, but no race is anymore safe that the other so I don’t feel that racin’ in another series is the issue here. These divers are true die-hard competitors and keepin’ them from competin’ is like keepin’ a duck out of water, it just ain’t natural.
I feel this is simply a case where hindsight didn’t have to be 20/20, but what do I know?… I’m just a crank call comedian that loves the sport.
http://leeroymercer.com/journal/images/Tony_Stewart_18A_copy.jpg
Tony Stewart & Lee Roy Mercer hanging out after the NASCAR Driver/Owner meeting before the Coca-Cola 600
Great points Lee Roy. It certainly appeared as if Tony wasn’t up to driving…some rest would’ve done him good.
Thanks for the comments…keep em comin’!