Stewart ‘getting even’ with NASCAR by not doing media interview at Phoenix
Quote selected text Published April 26th, 2007 in NASCAR News
NASCAR does not force its drivers to meet with the media but has post-race procedures in place for the top three finishers and highest finishing rookie. The official entry blank each week lists the policy, but Stewart was adamant on his radio show that he is not required to abide by it.
“There’s nothing, zero, in my contract that says I have to do that,” he said. “We do that as a courtesy to NASCAR and the media. The thing with the media is they think it’s our obligation to do those things. It’s not our obligation. It’s a privilege that they get to do that.”
He said skipping the press conference was his way of getting even with NASCAR over what he considered unfair officiating.
“NASCAR is the ones that always ask us to go to the media center, so instead of doing what they wanted, they don’t do what we want to do and run the race fair,” he said. “So why would I go to the media center and make them happy?”
Bookmark to:
- NASCAR Phoenix TV ratings equal last year
- NASCAR fines Stewart $10,000, puts him on probation
- Frustrated Stewart leaves Phoenix without talking, could be penalized by NASCAR
- Loudon interview with Tony Stewart
- Stewart in hot water again after uttering obscenity on camera-UPDATE 2
YOU GET EM TONY! TELL EM LIKE IT IS!!!
What an ass. Like not going to interviews is going to change anything. This guy reminds me more of Rosie O’donell than the Intimidator.
Sad fact is NASCAR needs people like Tony Stewart not the other way around. He can go anywhere and still be popular. People fail to realize this. Stewart can go anywhere and win championships. And he has the guts to speak out against NASCAR unlike some of these drivers. Credit where credit is due people.
Way to go Tony. I agree with your reasons for not doing the interview. NASCAR needs to wake up! A lot of fans are not happy with the way you are calling these races.
Tony may get a little too butt hurt about things sometimes, but he is definitely in the right on this one. I hope Tony has gotten a ball rolling that will roll right over corruption in NASCAR.
I would have done the exact same thing! If it’s not in his contract, then screw ‘em! If they are going to run the race unfairly, then they should expect drivers to be pissed! What goes around, comes around! You go, Tony! I’m glad someone is standing up for the fans!
Kudos, Axel, once again, I concur….
GO TONY ! you have always been the one who will stand up and speak out even if you’r being put down for what you say. Let them call you a whiner..is their favorite driver standing up to speak out about issues that NEED to be brought up in nascar? Nope.
Sushstewart20
diehard stewart fan forever :]
Go job tony. (i mean it)
NASCAR has thrown to many fake cautions over the last few years, more so this year more then anyother.
They need to stop it.
Bet it’s the ass holes at FOX doing to, to bunch them up to make the race better for them.
And they wonder why attendation is down at track that did sell out.
The Fans are getting pissed off with all the shit NASCAR has been doing over the years, more so since FOX,TNT,NBC took the contract away from ESPN.
It has slowly done down hill over the last 5 years, and is a little better now that ESPN is finally back, and NBC is gone, but it’s still no where close to how good it was 6 years ago before ESPN Lost the contract.
I just think he could do better about this than using his radio show to vent out. I don’t think missing interviews really will solve this, other than gain him more attention of being a bad boy. You know what I mean? I compared him to Rosie ‘cos all I read or hear is allot of blah, blah, blah and no action. If he is really fed up with this, he needs to take it straight to NASCAR. I don’t hate Stewart, it just irritates me that he talks, brings up issues and doesn’t do a thing about it unless he’s in his car.
tony is a complete and utter ass!!! and the fact that he was pissed about not winning, when its his own fault because he couldnt keep a lead from gordon, and then blames NASCAR for “fixing” races is so petty and childish…. maybe he should spend less time bashing NASCAR and more time practicing on his driving cuz it seems to me it need some work!
I was never a Tony fan til now. Someone has finally realized the cautions. and its funny it always happens when hendrick needs one. GO TONY
Tony needs to stop gripping and start racing. Just because he’s had bad luck this year doesn’t meen it is Nascarts fault. Tony lost the race because of one simple fact ; he was beat. You can debate debris cautions that Nascar throws for driver safety, however , the last caution was a wreck. Then he made his bid for the win and lost. I don’t feel sorry for him, he’s doing alot of spinning for his temper tantrum. It took him 3 days to come up with his conspiracy theory that had nothing to do with him losing the race. If Tony wants to win then he should go out and do it like everyone else and earn it. I do not like Tony but there is no denying that he has talent. But just because he was beat fairly, does not mean that he should cry foul.
tony did the correct thing. he pritty much bitch slapt nascar in the face
Not much of a bitch slap after NASCAR said ‘There are thousands of talented race drivers out there who would consider it an honor to compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series.’ You can take that and make up your own story.
I guess I’m doing things wrong. Instead of going straight up to who ever is in charge to take care of a problem I should complain to my family, friends and blog it. Maybe that’s how things get done nowadays.
He said skipping the press conference
was his way of getting even with NASCAR
over what he considered unfair officiating.
Ok The official entry blank each week lists the policy…that has
NOTHING to do with his contract with his car owner and team…
but if it is on the ENTRY BLANK EACH WEEK and he chooses to
race, then he’s committed to this policy!
Like it or not!!
it’s just another bottle of Tony Wine
Tony IS taking it straight to NASCAR. There is no magic court room where he can put the officials on trial. If he goes to Darby’s or Brian France’s office I’m sure they’ll deny the allegations, put a spin on everything and send Tony on his way. Tony is just using the platform he has available, which is a good one. He’s using the court room of public opinion. Tony is not a member of NASCAR’s board, there is nothing he can do directly except refuse to race. NASCAR will hurt if Tony isn’t around. Next to Junior he is what keeps real fans watching and interested. Plus if a veteran racer is forced out of a series he once loved that will have many people looking for a reason why.
Of course NASCAR is going to say there are thousands who would be honored to race in NASCAR (I would love to), but A homeless man would be honored to take a shit in a hen house. They’re just trying to save face. They need a better rebutal than that. Its insulting to all of us.
I’ll bet Tony has really got NASCAR whimpering after he straightened ‘em out. Heck, I wonder if they’ll even have the race Sunday. If ole’ Smoke were to quit the series, NASTYCAR would probably not be able to make it. In fact, I think I better check my ISC stock and see how much it went down. Hell, I might even have to work another couple of years.
Ahh Axel, always good to have someone around to make me rethink what I say….lol.
Rome wasn’t built in a day, 4speed.
…I’m not saying that Tony measures up to Senior in anyway… But look at the impact Earnhardt not being around has had on the sport. Good and bad. One person can make a difference if the situation is right.
Axel, your right on all your posts..
and WHY can’t these stupid people clear their mind of advertising who their favorite driver is all over the posts and REALLY see what Tony is doing.. these people are big-headed and won’t budge if a damn rock is thrown at their head. It’s sad that racing has become a popularity contest and you can’t have an open discussion about a driver’s actions without one person going off about ‘how their driver is so much better’. It’s really sad.. I am a diehard Stewart fan, but when im discussing the matter with hendricks motosports and the fake cautions, I don’t put down Gordon and Johnson…and I don’t throw it in people’s faces that i’m a Stewart fan. You can’t lead a horse to a lake and make him drink [or at least I think that's how it goes].. Tony is NOT whining, FRIGGIN UNDERSTAND THAT. If he were whining, he would outright SAY IT. “I’m whining, so listen to me. I have nothing better to do than to whine about not winning.” He’s NOT doing that. He has probably been to this site or anyother racing site and read what fans have said about these cautions and how NASCAR HAS been manipulating the races and playing god. Since NASCAR won’t listen to nobodies like us, Tony stood up and said something since, of course, everyone will listen to Tony the Tiger. He knows how to git r’ dun. :]
“…but when im discussing the matter with hendricks motosports and the fake cautions, I don’t put down Gordon and Johnson…and I don’t throw it in people’s faces that i’m a Stewart fan.” Hey, Amanda, do you ever listen to what comes out of your head? Who the heck do you think you’re putting down when you talk about NASCAR showing favoritism toward Hendrix if its not Gordon & Johnson? And I bet you can’t even admit that Tony just flat got outrun by Gordon Saturday night. So if he’s “getting even with NASCAR for bad officiating” he sure picked the wrong race to do it…becauce he lost at Phoenix because another driver had a faster car and plain drove around him.
“You can’t lead a horse to a lake and make him drink [or at least I think that’s how it goes]…and no, dummy, that’s not how it goes.
Thanks, Amanda. I really mean that.
4Speed, “You can’t lead a horse to a lake and make him drink.” Its called paraphrasing. Look it up.
Tony did get out run under the circumstances that night, but there is always another race in another place. Time will tell who is better.
This is ridiculous. First of all, I agree with Tony 100%. He is not technically OBLIGATED to give a comment. Granted, they wanted his thoughts, but it would have been a catch-22 if he did. If he didn’t give a response (Which he didn’t), he gets flack for it (Which he did). If he would have given the interview, and pretty much bitched the whole time, the 20-Haters would have been all over it. If he would have said what he TRULY wanted to say (Right then and there and NOT on his radio show), then it would have been a huge thing with NASCAR and he would have been fined because we all know that NASCAR can’t have a “Renegade” in their camp. So, it’s damned if you do, and damned if you don’t. So dammit, he didn’t do it. Do I think Stewart did the right thing? Yes, I do. But, I have a few questions of my own:
When Kyle Busch left the track without giving the “Obligated” interview, where was the scrutiny there? All the talk was about Jr. completing the race in his car.
If Jeff Gordon or Jimmie Johnson was in the same predictament, and knowing that they are NASCAR’s Untouchable Duo, would the rules still apply?
Now, I don’t mean to get the Hendrick Clique up in their respective uproars, it’s just something to ponder a bit.
AXLE, or whatever, its called “misquoting”, the phrase goes “You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink.” Look it up.
“…but there is always another race in another place. Time will tell who is better.” Time has already told who is better. Look at the stats. Percent of wins/starts…top fives…top tens…championships…and on and on and on…
DIDI…now the contract attorney speaks. “He is not technically OBLIGATED to give a comment.” You don’t know any more than me how the contract terminology is written.
“Granted, they wanted his thoughts, but…” NO, THEY DIDN’T WANT HIS THOUGHTS. If they had wanted any crap out of Stewart, they would have squeezed his head. The biggest dumbass in the world knows you don’t go to the media and badmouth the people who sign your paycheck. nThe PROFESSIONAL way to handle it would have been with a sitdown with Mike Helton in private. Any way you cut it, no matter who it is, the way it was handled showed no class.
And how did Kyle Busch’s dog get into this fight? I’m no Busch supporter…and, if I was, his crew chief told him his car was done for the night. Yeah, he probably should have stayed around anyway and showed support for the Hendrix TEAM. That’s what Jeff or Jimmy would have done if Kyle had won, instead of hauling butt. Crashing your car, throwing a temper tantrum, and refusing to get back in it and finish the race when its fixed is what Smoke’s buddy Harvick tried to pull a few years ago at Bristol.
And of course the same rules would apply if Gordon or Johnson was in the same predicament but we’ll never know for sure because they’ll never be that damn stupid.
Its still paraphrasing…
4Speed…. You really need some facts instead of opinions formed out of hot air. This is just for you…
Career average finish for Tony is 12th, Gordon’s is 13th…
Jeff Gordon has been racing Cup since 1992 (or 93) and Tony Stewart has been racing Cup since 1999. Jeff Gordon races for Hendrick, the most well off team and arguably the team with their stuff together more than anyone else. Tony races for Joe Gibbs a team who is not on par with Hendrick…
Tony has 29 career wins since 1999, Gordon has 76 career wins. Tony has been racing Cup roughly half the time Gordon has and really hasn’t come into his own since his first championship season. So, do the math on that one…
Tony has 110 top 5’s. Gordon has 219. Half the time mind you…
Tony has 2 Championships, Gordon has 4. Half the time…
It goes on and on…
Half the time and arguably twice the competition to deal with. Who is better? Time will tell.
PS.
Of course NASCAR doesn’t want Tony’s thoughts. Its not a democracy. Its their company with their greedy ideas imbeded in it. Tony’s ideas are pro competition. NASCAR’s ideas are pro money. Sports should be about competition and not money. NASCAR is going to wake up one morning and realize no one is on their side anymore.
Last time I checked, interviews were given for the fans to watch after the
race. Getting even with NASCAR by not letting the viewers hear your post-race
thoughts? That’s really nice of you, Tony.
4speed. Apparently you’re in the bottom iq level here. It is the
rule that the top 3 are to talk to the press. So some of us DO know
how that goes. Don’t presume, it makes you look even less
intelligent. [[Normally I don't go for personal attacks. You're
just that dumb. Congrats. Made far more obvious by the fact you seem
to waste half your posts arguing over a stupid phrase. No one cares.
And for chrissake if you're such a damn Hendricks supporter, learn
how to spell it right.]]
And I don’t want to hear post-race drivel. I hear it for what is it
now, an HOUR, BEFORE the race, I don’t need to hear the sponsor
list again.
I think Tony handled this fine. If he’d tried to do it in a more
private setting, it wouldn’t of gotten anywhere and, the way Nascar
is looking now, they probably would of threatened him should he
speak publicly. And besides, since when is it classless to speak
your opinion in a country that’s supposed to be a democracy? Free
speech.
P.S.-Axel, you’re awesome. You know how to debate intelligently.
Kudos.
AXLE
Its not paraphrasing when you reverse the meaning. And yes, time will tell. When both drivers’ careers are over, I will bet my house that Gordon will have a better record than Stewart. But no one is going to win that argument for a few years. And I agree that Gibbs is not on a par with Hendricks [got the spelling right this time, Breanna]. But it has nothing to do with finances…only organization and commitment.
PS
I’m not a fan of NASCAR…just the opposite. I would much rather see an organization run like the NHRA or CHAMP CAR. Brian France is nothing but a drunk that uses his money and position to avoid personal responsibility. Lisa France should have inherited the helm of the company, not Brian. I’m not always happy with the way they apply the rules. I thought the outcome of the Daytona 500 stunk…and I’m not even a Mark Martin fan, although driving a Chevy does make it a little easier to pull for him.
BRENDA THE HOOKER, or whatever
The last time I checked, 2nd place is in the top 3. And isn’t that where Stewart finished? And if you think Tony handled this fine, not only are people going to think you are an idiot, you just got on the web and proved it. Nobody with half a brain would defend how he handled this.
BOTTOM LINE: This will hurt his career for years to come. Not only with NASCAR, but do you think Home Depot and Joe Gibbs are happy with this situation? The Jeremy Mayfield school of problem resolution has never been proven to be a success. Do you actually think other drivers are going up to him and saying, “Atta boy, Tony!” Once again, Stewart makes a bonehead move, both on and off the track, without thinking out the consequences. He has done this his whole career, even before NASCAR.
I’ll even go so far as saying that Stewart is a very talented driver. I just don’t think much of him as a person. I believe he lacks character and it come through in the decisions he makes on and off the track. Notice I didn’t say that he lacks passion. Very obviously he has that and it is an admirable trait whatever your profession, and Stewart does a great job promoting the sport and giving young drivers opportunities they might not otherwise have.
“If he’d tried to do it in a more private setting, it wouldn’t of gotten anywhere and, the way NASCAR is looking now, they probably would of threatened him should he speak publicly.”
It got him somewhere, alright.
And neither an I a Rick Hendrick fan. His business & legal record speaks for itself. But I am a Gordon & Johnson fan. They are two of the most talented and class drivers in the sport. Both on and off the track. But I didn’t say they are perfect…we all make mistakes. They just make fewer than most other drivers…both on and off the track. There are a lot of class drivers in NASCAR: the Burtons, the Labontes, etc…I just happen to root for Gordon and Johnson. There are also a lot of low class drivers in NASCAR: Stewart & Harvick just happen to be two with a high profile.
NEWS FLASH: Check the NASCAR website and see how this is playing out.
haha nice nickname, cuz I haven’t heard that before >_> Originality,
when possible, is always a good thing. And if you’d actually payed
attention to what I said if you were going to rebut it, I said
I, and most other people’s comments I’ve read for that matter, don’t
care to hear yet another interview after the race. Meaning, I don’t
understand why they have to do that to begin with. To address your
next comment, if I’m such an idiot for thinking so, read the comments
on the six articles about this story on this website… apparently
the majority of fans are idiots, cuz I’m not in the minority there.
And the “bottom line” is that just because the powers that be don’t
agree with it doesn’t make it right. And so what if it “hurts his
career for years to come”? Atleast he had the balls to say something.
That’s better than most of the drivers would do, which is why
they’re not congratulating him.