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A little help from Stewart
On Sunday we were right in front of the 20 cars pit stall. We were in stall 11, with the opening in front, and the 20 was in stall 12. When ever your at Martinsville you want to make sure you have a good team in front and behind you so that everything goes smoothly. Before the race started Tony came over to check out his pit stall, like all drivers should do, and see who was in front and behind him. Most of the guys on the 20 and 12 were hanging around in the pit throwing the football and talking. Tony came over and started talking with us about the race and different stuff. About this time our rear tire changer on the 12 jumps over the wall and tells Tony, "hey, gonna have a good day in the pits, right". Tony laughs and says,"oh yeah". That's important to me and my carrier because if you don't make friends with the driver in the pits behind you he can make your day a real pain. I didn't think much about the pre race deal with Tony until about the third pit stop. We were way back in the field due to an early wreck and trying to play catch up. On the other hand, the boys on the 20 were kick-en butt on the track and in the pits. There came a situation on the third stop where Tony was going to be pulling out of his stall right when we were coming in. In this type of situation a driver can really be a jerk off if he wants. Tony was completely opposite, he got out and we got in with no problems. He stayed clear away from us in the back and all the guys on the 20 pit crew made sure tires were up and out of the way when we went to do our stop. It ended up happening a few times during the day when we were coming in and they were leaving and there was never a problem. It was a tuff break for those guys later in the race, but we appreciate all the help.
April 11, 2005 in Things you don't see or here | Permalink
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Tracked on Apr 12, 2005 1:35:42 PM
Comments
The #12 and #20 getting along. A far cry from Dover two years ago when Tony cussed you guys out for Ryan not letting him back on the lead lap.
Posted by: Jay | Apr 11, 2005 3:56:23 PM
It just goes to show you that on the track, where it matters, class is repaid with class. Nascar's always been known for its interteam cooperation, and it's nice to hear that some of that sportsmanship survives when so much else about the sport has changed.
Posted by: Sara | Apr 11, 2005 7:33:26 PM
Nice to hear those kinds of things. Such a shame Tony has a bad rap. He really is a great guy.
Posted by: Melissa | Apr 11, 2005 9:00:06 PM
I thought you guys would like to here that about Tony. I personally like the guy and think he does have a bad rap about him. Even likes to throw the football before the race with us.
Posted by: Trent | Apr 11, 2005 9:35:52 PM
Most of the bad rap Tony gets is from the media and most of it turned out to false information. I personally appreciate Tony's fire and I hope he doesn't change too much.
Posted by: Jon | Apr 11, 2005 9:47:22 PM
Tony's a fan favorite because most of us can see through the media's conventional wisdom that he's a "bad boy." Tony's tough and competitive, but he's got a target on his back because he refuses to play ball with the media much of the time. Yeah, he's had what they call "anger management" classes in the past, but as long as he's with the Gibbs team (a pretty classy bunch from everything I hear), I think he'll be alright.
Posted by: Sara | Apr 11, 2005 11:14:54 PM
I think Stewart is a class act. He seems to race straight up and expect the same in return. With what he gives back to fans and communities, I don't think he takes too much for granted.
The race was definetly his to win. His car was that dominant.
Posted by: Robert | Apr 12, 2005 6:53:23 AM
Seems everyone has amnesia. There have been numerous incidents caught on tape that show Tony taking his frutrations out on other cars on the track. Tony may be nice in person and cool with the fans. That's all nice, but for anyone to deny that he has been unprofessional on a number of occasions on the track is ridiculous. It's all on tape. Indisputable. Stop blowing smoke up our asses. We're not buying it.
Posted by: AL | Apr 12, 2005 8:20:11 AM
I have always liked the competitive fire in Tony Stewart. That fire is WHY he is a really good race car driver.
There is not a driver out there that has not made mistakes. None of them. Stewart is not some special case just because Darrel Waltrip says he is. Ol' DW caused his share of problems behind the wheel of a racecar.
Pretty much all of the drivers have taken out frustrations on other drivers. It is a result of what these guys do for a living.
A friend of mine got to spend a couple days with Tony at the Race at Talladega last spring. He had a blast and said Tony was really a fun guy to hang with.
Posted by: Newman Fan | Apr 12, 2005 12:32:37 PM
This isn't opinion about Stewart or what DW says about him. It's all on tape. No opinion needed. Look at the tape of his past incidences of deliberately taking out other cars on purpose. Cold Hard Facts are not opinion. He may be cool in person and all that but on the track there is indisputable evidence of Stewart wrecking other guys on purpose. That isn't opinion or hearsay. IT's FACT!!!!!! And it's unprofessional of Stewart.
Posted by: AL | Apr 12, 2005 3:57:51 PM
Al there have been times in his career where he has taken people out. But name me one driver who hasn't. Its a contact sport and stuff is going to happen. I guess you hated Dale Earnhardt too then. There hasnt been one driver who is a good driver who has never taken some one out. Its part of the sport and its going to happen. I think you just have it out for Stewart.
Posted by: Trent | Apr 12, 2005 5:48:00 PM
Trent, was that you with the top of your uniform down around your waist throwing the football? I wasnt sure, but it sure looked like you, and there I was, poking my girlfriend in the side sayin "thats the guy on the website!!"...she was less than enthused to be poked...HAHAHAHA!!!! Prove me right dude so I can gloat! HAHA!!
Posted by: Frank | Apr 12, 2005 7:51:00 PM
Thats funny Trent, when Harvick got into Jimmie Johnson in Daytona you reamed him out for it. But when it's a guy who your friendly with then you start with this"stuff is going to happen" crap. Hypocrisy is a dangerous thing Trent because when people notice that you are trying to have it both ways you lose credibility, and here son you have lost major credibility. So much for you saying that you call em like you see em. No. You only call them against people you don't like but when people you do like do the same thing or worse, then you say "it's only part of the sport". You got no leg to stand on pal. That stench you smell is coming from you. HYPOCRITE!
Posted by: Al | Apr 12, 2005 7:55:49 PM
I think the whole Harvick incident at Daytona is a special case. It was blown up by Johnson, Nemechek and Martin, these being among the other drivers actually involved.
If that many drivers react like that and are so sure that they are right, its not surprising some bystanders are going to leap on Harvick the way they did, Trent included.
Its only when people have a chance to simmer down and let the temperature fall that they can think about what happened then work out their real opinion, instead of just a knee-jerk reaction.
So in that respect I'd be interested to hear what Trent thinks about the Daytona incident now that he can look back with a clear head. How about it Trent? I know its ancient history but I think its relevant to this thread.
Posted by: David | Apr 12, 2005 8:14:22 PM
David, that sounds fair. After seeing what happend enough times to realize i was wrong I should have posted anther thread about my findings. I didnt though, so to answer your question, yes I think I was wrong in that I jumped Harvicks butt pretty hard without completely understanding or watching what really happened. As far as AL goes, weather you dont like Tony Stewart or me, I dont really care and I'm sure he doesnt either, but take your complaining some where else.
Posted by: Trent | Apr 12, 2005 9:41:38 PM
Trent...I enjoy your column. I don't think Tony has gotten a bad wrap. As a professional race driver and know that you will have cameras and microphones stuck in your face you have to know how to conduct yourself. However, he has gotten better about it.
Posted by: Baker | Apr 13, 2005 10:53:08 AM
Even if Stewart were unprofessional, I like the fact that we have different types of personalities. You have Stewart and Kevin Harvick's fiery temper, Ryan Newman and Matt Kenseth's quiet and laid back approach. The nice guys like Bobby Labonte and Jeremy Mayfield. And the feminine ones like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie JOhnson. We need all types.
Posted by: Jay | Apr 13, 2005 1:22:46 PM
Hahaha, love your post Jay! You couldn't be more on target! Tony has absolutely gotten a bad rap! Tony is very passionate about what he does and he is a damn good driver! You try spending 4 hours in a race car with other knuckleheads all around you trying to run you off the road and I'm sure you would get pretty frustrated at times to! All and all Tony is awesome!
Posted by: Robin | Apr 13, 2005 1:55:02 PM
It's not complaining Trent. It's merely showing everyone what a hypocrite you are. You were all over Harvick in Daytona and then when it comes to Stewart you sat "it's part of the sport. You have been exposed and have lost alot of credibility. Nobody can take you seriouse now because we know you don't call things fairly. There's one standard for people that you like and another for people like you don't. So much for you calling em like you see em.
Posted by: AL | Apr 13, 2005 2:12:03 PM
For someone who has lost credibility you sure do visit the site often. If I'm such a hypocrite and my credibility is bad, then why are you still checking the site to see what i write. I think your a fan you just cant admit it. It's gonna be OK AL.
Posted by: Trent | Apr 13, 2005 2:51:29 PM
To Robin and Trent....How do you figure this guy has gotten a bad wrap? He's punched people, cussed at them, how is that a bad wrap? Looks pretty accurate to me. Sure, all of the drivers have had their on the track moments of anger, Tony and Rusty, Tony and Jeff Gordon, Tony and Robby Gordon...do you see a pattern here?
Posted by: Baker | Apr 13, 2005 3:45:37 PM
To Robin and Trent....How do you figure this guy has gotten a bad wrap? He's punched people, cussed at them, how is that a bad wrap? Looks pretty accurate to me. Sure, all of the drivers have had their on the track moments of anger, Tony and Rusty, Tony and Jeff Gordon, Tony and Robby Gordon...do you see a pattern here?
Posted by: Baker | Apr 13, 2005 3:46:42 PM
What is so goofy is that everybody makes it seem like Tony Stewart is the only driver that has ever done these things. He's not, he is a racecar driver and he's human.
Everybody on that racetrack has made mistakes and drop kicked somebody else out there. Every one of them has been mad at somebody else. They are human and it's the nature of the beast.
I'm sure noone who posts here has ever had a kneejerk reaction to a situation, then learned more about the situation and found out they were wrong have they?
NNAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH Never happened.
Just because somebody sees something in a different light from you does not make them wrong.
I think it is pretty cool to have an inside track to some of the stuff that happens on the circuit in a forum like this.
I just can't understand all of the negative people and complaining.
Posted by: Newman Fan | Apr 13, 2005 5:57:04 PM
I can't understand all the negativity either. I think its cool that someone who is actually involved in the sport is willing to give up time to let fans in on things.
Okay disagree with people, but don't personally attack them and say they've lost credibility. Keep it friendly.
Each situation is different, and just because you come down on one side of the fence one time doesn't mean you have to stay there for the rest of your life. We're people not politicians, AL.
Posted by: David | Apr 13, 2005 6:18:17 PM
The point here is that Trent railed Harvick for his actions at Daytona while going soft on Stewart for his actions in the past. Everyone knows that drivers are people too and things happen. That's not the point. The point is Trent's hypocrisy. He runs an entire post with the title "Harvick is an idiot" for what happened at Daytona and then says what a gret guy Stewart is and then says his numerous past incidents are "just part of the sport". How can we take this guy seriously when he shows himself to be such a hypocritical hack? He's completely dishonest. Now when he runs a post with an opinion about a driver we must take into account whether he likes that driver or not. If he does, then he will make excuses for his behavior. If he doesn't like the driver, he will devote entire posts to how stupid he is. He doesn't have an ounce of credibility left. And he has the nerve to say that "I call em like I see em". What a crock of shit!
Posted by: AL | Apr 14, 2005 8:51:00 AM
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