Tony Stewart took time out today to spend time with the media at Michigan International Speedway after doing a promotional gig for Citizens Bank in Brooklyn, MI. Citizens Bank happens to be the title sponsor for the June race at MIS. Tony spent twenty minutes each with the various media; print, radio and TV. 
When asked about his latest disagreement with NASCAR over the "phantom debris cautions", Tony said, "It is what it is and you'll here me say that alot today." Obviously he is still bothered by it and NASCAR's explanation is more an excuse than rational. But, he seemed resigned to let NASCAR run its series as they see fit.
He pulled no punches when asked if his retirement talk of a couple weeks ago was legit. "When NASCAR racing is no longer fun--then I will go in another direction." His contract with Joe Gibbs Racing will be up in 2 1/2 years and that would seem to be the timetable for REAL retirement talk. What about the "if I had enough money..." quote? Tony assured everyone at the media event that he doesn't have the kind of money everyone thinks he has, in part due to the amount of cash he has put into his sprint car teams and his race tracks including Eldora.
After the "what is your favorite color?" question and between questions of which country music hottie he wants to date, I asked him about NASCAR's timing of pit road speeds and specifically about him being caught speeding. He was complimentary of NASCAR's current system--agreed that he got caught and then spent the next few laps trying to calm down crew chief Greg Zippadelli.
You can hear more from Tony this week by listening to ON PIT ROW on your favorite media outlet.
image: speedtv.com
love the mans honesty but they back-lashing has him in check
Posted by: michael | May 03, 2007 at 05:56 AM
FranceCar must have tasered Tony into verbal submission!
Posted by: Vroom! | May 03, 2007 at 06:25 AM
I believe Tony Stewart is an extremely talented driver, but I lost all rest respect for him when he ran Matt Kenseth down off the track at Daytona. Tony Please! Quit being such a big baby and just shut up!
Posted by: phastphil | May 03, 2007 at 09:54 AM