Statement from Tony Stewart Regarding Pocono Incident
Quote selected text Published July 25th, 2006 in NASCAR NewsCOLUMBUS, Ind., (July 24, 2006) - The following is a statement from NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Tony Stewart regarding the lap 32 incident in Sunday’s Pennsylvania 500 that involved Stewart, Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards.
“I’m taking 100 percent responsibility for the final incident that occurred on lap 32 between myself, the 07 (Bowyer) and the 99 (Edwards). It was totally my fault.
“At the same time, there were circumstances that led up to that wreck, and after talking with Clint this morning, we both have a better understanding as to what happened. He was trying to get out of my way and didn’t realize that I had gone to the outside. He thought I was to his inside, and when he tried to give me some room, he slid into us and it put us into the outside wall. I reacted, causing the wreck that I take responsibility for and regret.”
On lap 32, Stewart was racing on the outside of Bowyer through turn three of Pocono’s 2.5-mile triangle when Bowyer’s car pushed out toward the wall. Stewart gave as much ground as he could until scraping the wall with the right side of his No. 20 Chevrolet. As he came off the wall, Stewart made contact with Bowyer, sending Bowyer’s No. 07 Chevrolet into Edwards’ No. 99 Ford.
NASCAR penalized Stewart one lap for aggressive driving, putting the two-time and reigning Nextel Cup champion 41st in the 43-car field.
Stewart regained his lead lap status on lap 41 by passing then leader Ryan Newman. Stewart went on to finish seventh in the 200-lap race.
[Gibbs PR]
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Unfortunately, I think Tony is losing it (talent for racing). I really hate saying that too because he happens to be my favorite driver, but he really needs to get his head back in the races and not so much on the individual racers and any of that drama because that has caused him to become very careless.
While Tony has already been in anger management and penalized MILDLY for previous shows of his temper in the past; atleast he admitted fault to this incident. However; NASCAR needs to start applying much stricter penalities to Stewart for his actions in the future.
I had much respect for Stewart up til his pushing of a lady reporter to the ground in 2002. Since then I will only credit him as having god driving skills, but as a lady race fan, I have no respect for ANYONE who reacts violently to a woman and NASCAR needed to be much more heavy handed with the penalites for that action that year! There are MANY lady racefans today and what NASCAR has forgotten—-LADIES tend to spend much more money than men especially on little baubles and trinkets.
My Dale Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr collection has continued to grow. I have refused to spend a thin dime on any Stewart memorabilia or die cast….blantant disrespect for women will not impress me at all!
Nascar, fine him big time—-stop giving him little smacks on the hannies!
Time to get STewart’s anger and temper under control before his stupid and emotional actions KILL someone on the track!
I personally think that Tony was right in what he said sunday, there are many new drivers out there that just dont know how to run in the NExtel Cup Series, and if the number 3 car was still around he wouldnt have given in to Bowyer either. Tony by far is the most talented driver out on the feild, and unfortuantely he is also been named Nascar’s Badboy…where were these officials last Sunday when Newman hit Tony? where were they all the times Gordon has caused flaws on the track?? These so called Nascar Officials are so up to trying to catch someone doing wrong instead of just letting the teams race like they ahould. I am sick and tired of people downing Stewart, he races, just like racing should be and once was, and just out of sportsmanship is the only reason why there was an apology. Not out of being sorry.
I feel that Clint Bowyer was trying to give Tony the room that he needed without wrecking him out. And Tony got mad and just wrecked Clint out not thinking about who else may get the worst out of it. (other drivers). I honestly don’t think Clint meant to do what he did and Tony knew what he was doing. Don’t get me wrong I do like Tony Stewart as well but he shouldn’t have said that the #3 car would have done that. Tony is Tony but the Intimidator he is not. I think he should have gotten black falgged for that.
As I said don’t get me wrong I like Tony too. Especially how he is giving Richard Petty the donations to help the children. I think that is really great.
all i got to say why didn’t gordon get the black flag when he took out matt o that’s right that nextels boy if your going to black flag one guy you better dam well black flag the next guy or nextel will have a problem with people thinking they have there favorites some of us already do think that it will eventally be nextels down fall
I have a lot of respect for Tony and the way he can drive. I truly believe he could drive anything with or without wheels on it and win, even being a Hendricks follower, I give credit were credit is due. But week in and week out he always is quick to point a finger as this person does this, or that. I am proud to see he sent out a statement to take responsibility for his actions Sunday, but wonder if it was his doing to do so, NASCARS, or for his team PR. I truly hope it’s from him, as he is a great driver, has done much for the sport on and off the track, but he needs to keep his head in the game. IF the newbies drive reckless, you aren’t sending the right message by plowing them back. Yes, #3 truly believed rubbin’ is racing, but sadly look what happened to him doing just that. It would be a great lose to the sport to see another die that way due to the lose of common sense on the track either to yourself or a fellow driver.
hell yeah i agree a 100% with mht. he said it perfect. im from new york now living in nc…and when i was at the dump in new york and this guy told me a story why he hated tony. becasue tony pushed a little kid out of the way that wanted his signiture and went out to the track. there is no room in nascar to be a douche bag. and tony is a huge douche bag. oh yeah and a main thing is he never says it was his fault. its that guys or someone elses man dont be a pussy just admit it. i mean hell jr says yeah my bad i did this. every other guy can say hey yeah that was my fault my bad…nope not pussy tony
Tony has a mental disorder of the mind, he was dropped at birth on his head. He needs to be dropped on his head by a few drivers, or knocked on his ass.
Tony Stewart is the reason I stopped buying anything at Home Depot. Hit him and his team were it hurts in the pocket. He pulled the same #@%# in the Daytona 500.
I will give Tony respect for being a talented driver. However..I have personally witnessed Tony pushing children, one all the way to the ground while asking for autographs before a race.(when he noticed people around he had security push them away and then high 5 them for doing so). I understand his need to focus and know that he does not like to be approached before races but COME ON!!! Tony needs more than NASCAR punishment, he needs therapy. It’s very sad to see someone who can be so giving and talented be a complete jerk. GET HELP TONY
I feel as though Tony Stewart is not anymore aggressive than Dale Earnhardt, Sr…. Tony seems to get penalized and scrutinized by many fans for similiar driving styles as the great legend…Why is that? I have no understanding…One driver was praised for it, another punished??? Seems like Americans don’t understand the meaning of “Due Process.” Tony, I will defend you….I have a law degree….What’s up with people today????
I think it was a good thing that Tony realized what he had done and apologized for it in the end. That really makes him a bigger man. Good Job Tony!!!!!!!!