Did Tony Stewart flip us all off at Phoenix?
It sort of feels like it, no?
As with everything that happens in NASCAR anymore, there are diametrically opposed opinions on the question.
Apparently, Stewart was upset after (during?) the race in the desert Saturday night. I presume he was frustrated at not being able to keep up with Jeff Gordon toward the end of the race and having to settle for second place. Probably he was frustrated with the CoT and it's pushy, tough to pass with nature. But we don't know. Tony took a powder.
4ever3 takes Tony's defense. David Poole takes him to task.
Here's what I think. Tony Stewart is not Kyle Busch. He is a two time Nextel Cup champion and no kid. Tony has a responsibility to his fans, his sport and the sponsors, promoters and the media that cover them. He stated last week that he would like to retire from Cup racing as soon as he has enough money. Thanks to all of the above, NASCAR will provide him with the means to make whatever size pile of cash he deems adequate to go driving dirt cars into the sunset. But he really should do his part. Every time he's asked.
Picture credit: MSNBC
Would that also mean if Smoke was "there" for every interview opportunity no matter the time, place or situation and he said something that tweaked the sensibilities of someone he gets a free pass from being excoriated?
The point being, in general I agree, but I also try to look at their side and how they are hounded continuously and have a mic stuffed into their face.
The reality is, what are the fans going to learn. Just another spiel that includes 10 sponsor mentions, "the #08 was tight, we worked on it and then it was loose."
"It just wasn't our day, we'll get'em next week."
Posted by: marc | April 25, 2007 at 08:59 AM
mixed feelings.... What would have we heard? So perhaps it was in everyone's best interest...but responsibilty!! oh well... it's minor in comparison to some other continuing NASCAR saga's... and can Tony really learn something from Gordon? Apparently Espn's Newton thinks so!!
Posted by: racefan57 | April 25, 2007 at 09:20 AM
There is a difference between private time and public time. The post-race interview with the top three finishers is not private time. It's unofficial NASCAR tradition. If Tony or Aric Amirola (I'm probably mis-spelling, sorry Aric)want to decline interviews with third rate radio shows - fine. I understand. They are hounded - and paid huge money for the inconvience. Sure the answers to the same old questions become canned. That alone should cut down the number of requests - kinda like natural selection, darwinism. If they give bad interviews, they will get fewer requests.... and smaller contracts.
BTW marc, we used one of your comments on the "Fast Lap" questions last night on the show. You added nicely to the debate. Thanks for jumping in.
Posted by: charlie | April 25, 2007 at 09:41 AM
Hey racefan57, you too made the show last night with a "Fast Lap" comment. We really appreciate your time. Intelligent commentary drives the debates. Thanks.
I don't listen to too many post-race chats. I agree that you already know what you're going to hear. I don't watch the pre=race parades either. But there is value for me in tradition and it's not that hard to stand there and pimp your sponsor one last time for the day.
Posted by: charlie | April 25, 2007 at 09:49 AM
okay Charlie..I'm with you on pimping the sponsors one last time and tradition always has it's place, afterall what would a race be without the "command" or the flyover...I suppose I am just partial to Smoke especially over J. Gordon and an article I read yesterday by ESPN's David Newton got my dander up. I checked out The Fast Lap and the radio station...very cool!! Does the show broadcast over the web? Toledo is a bit far from Lake George!!
Posted by: racefan57 | April 25, 2007 at 04:35 PM
Thank you very much. The show is available at Racetalkradio.com. They rebroadcast our show on Thursday nights from 7 to 9pm ET. Shows are then archived there for about 4 weeks. We do not archive all of our old shows here or at onpitrow.com as a courtesy to our network radio stations, some of whom broadcast ON PIT ROW on a delay. If you get the time please check out the show. I'm biased. But I think it's pretty good and a little different than most of the NASCAR shows out there. Thanks again, and Newton fired me up too.
Posted by: charlie turner | April 25, 2007 at 05:26 PM
"BTW marc, we used one of your comments."
I'll have to see if I can catch the show to see what you used.
Your repeat air time would be at 7am-9am Friday morning here.
Posted by: marc | April 26, 2007 at 02:41 AM