Tony Stewart took a sarcastic tone to his post-race interview Sunday. Here is what Stewart had to say following Sunday's Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway:
ON TODAY'S
RACE
"We didn't quite crash
half the field which is what we normally look to do here. I was excited about
it. I thought it was a pretty good race. I made it further than I thought I
would before I got crashed. I call it a successful day."A LOT OF TEAMS WERE HAVING TROUBLE WITH FUEL INCLUDING YOURS. WHAT WAS GOING ON WITH THAT?
"I wasn't sure to be honest. I'm not quite sure what the fuel issue was. The racing was awesome. It's fun to be able to race and have to watch the gauges at the same time. It makes us as drivers have to do so much more. Being able to make yourself run on the apron and everything else to try to get clean air, it makes it fun. I'm sorry we couldn't crash more cars today. We didn't fill the quota for today for Talladega and NASCAR."
JEFF GORDON SAID HE THOUGHT THEY SHOULD OPEN UP THE GRILL OPENING FOR WHEN WE COME BACK HERE AND POSSIBLY DAYTONA IN JULY. DO YOU HAVE ANY SENSE THAT NEEDS TO BE DONE?
"I think they need to close it down. Honestly, I think if we haven't crashed at least 50 percent of the field by the end of the race, we need to extend the race until we at least crash 50 percent of the cars because it's not fair to these fans for them to not see any more wrecks than that and more torn up cars. We still had over half the cars running at the end and it shouldn't be that way."
THE WRECKS WEREN'T CAUSED BY THE OVER HEATING?
"No, not at all. I don't think any of the wrecks were an overheating issue. That is why I say I think we ought to just tape them off solid and run them until they blow up anyway. I think it would make it a lot more exciting for the fans."
WOULD THIS BE BETTER IF IT WERE A SHORTER RACE?
"I don't think it really matters. I think if you made it 20 laps we would all still crash with five to go or eight to go. If we did that we would be able to fill the time that the fans deserve. I mean they deserve to see us run 500 miles. Like I said if we don't crash half of the field by the end of the race they really need to extend it because that is what the fans want they want to see that excitement. I feel bad that as drivers we couldn't do a better job of crashing enough cars for them today."
I CAN'T FIGURE OUT IF YOU ARE HAPPY OR YOU ARE UPSET WITH YOUR TONE...
"I'm upset that we didn't crash more cars. I feel like that is what we are here for. I feel bad if I don't spend at least a 150,000 dollars in torn up race cars going back to the shop. We definitely have to do a better job with that."
WHY DO YOU HAVE THAT IMPRESSION THAT IS WHAT THE FANS ARE LOOKING FOR?
"Well, I don't know that is what they are looking for, but I feel like that is the show we deserve to give them. That is what has made Talladega, Talladega."
DID YOU HAVE FUN OUT THERE?
"Absolutely. I had a blast. It would have been a lot more fun if I could have gotten caught up in one more wreck. If I could have done that it would have been perfect."
DID YOU HAVE THE ISSUE OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AT ANY POINT?
"I didn't wreck because I ran out of fuel, but I ran out of fuel twice."
THE RADIO GUYS WERE SAYING THAT MAYBE (GUYS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL) HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE EFI (ELECTRONIC FUEL SYSTEM) HAVE YOU NOTICED A CHANGE IN YOUR FUEL MILEAGE SINCE YOU WENT TO THAT ENGINE PACKAGE?
"I mean we have only ran two restrictor plate races so it is hard to say. There were definitely guys that were running out of fuel today ahead of where they thought they would."
IS IT SAFE TO SAY THAT
YOU PREFER THE PACK OVER THE TANDEM DRAFTING?
"I think we ought to
make it a figure eight. I mean if we could make it a figure eight it would be
perfect. It would absolutely be perfect here. It would be better than what we
have. That is going to be my vote next week is that we make it a figure eight
and/or we can stop at the half way make a break and turn around and go backwards
the rest of the way. Then with 10 to go we split the field in half and half go
the regular direction and half of them go backwards."To listen to Stewart's whole interview, click here.
Awesome. I love it when Tony speaks his mind.
ReplyDeletewhat do you want him to say? The odds are that there will be a ton of damage to the cars, more than on a intermediate or short track. Its not about racing, its about survival. Im not a fan of the SS for that reason. I want to see racing, not pack racing where one scrwup finishes off 25-50% of the field. And he is double frustrated- as owner and racer. And then these reporters ask the same questions every race every year
ReplyDeleteTony Stewart's a dumba** if it weren't for the fans his stupid *** wouldn't be doing what he's doing for the money he is making so he need to STFU or retire f***ing crybaby!
ReplyDeleteHey A**jack, would you be mad if you were told to waste your time, your money and risk being injured just to make a few people happy?
Deleteyour a tuff guy,go get bent..if your car got hit by someones car door parked beside you you would be mad to..so imagine at 200mph for a living..
DeleteNascar's always looking to make changes after the fact aren't they? They're never pro-active but always re-active. Why can they never foresee anything and solve it before it happens are they really that blind? They don't talk to one driver before they decide to destroy Bristol, now this fiasco... Hell maybe I'm the idiot for watching it.
ReplyDeleteI think his comments are funny as hell, he's a bad ass driver, but not my favorite, but speaks his mind whether NASCAR or other drivers like it. It's just frustration and they are human. Quote of the year! Haha
ReplyDeletepretty obvious what needs to be done.....back to basics....keep it simple stupid......theres no need to add drama....and its not baseball do we need all the stats??? thats what makes baseball boring....and darrell waltrip....i mean come on...nobody has ever wanted to hear anything he has to say ..........nascar started with people who drove what they built to the track and raced it......hands on know-how science and stats are boring....most nascar fans did not make it through seventh grade because that stuff is BORING. racing is very exciting....crashes are an added bonus all the rest is BS and does not belong here.....hopefully its not too late but it dosent look good.....good luck 14,20,18......
ReplyDeleteTo be fair, when DW first started in the booth he was a great announcer with relevant information. Today he just thinks he is a stand-up comic or maybe it is the networks that are afraid to let them be to technical because so many new fans are clueless about details or the past. Also NASCAR does not like it when anyone speaks against them so he has to tow the company line or risk NASCAR's anger.
DeleteSounds like Tony is blowing smoke up his own butt. If the fans are responsible for the wrecks at Talladega I can help out there. I will not go to Talladega again and I will not watch anymore NASCAR races on TV. That's all I can do. I have enjoyed the racing for years but if this is what it has come too I no longer want to be a part of it.
ReplyDeletedont let the door hit yea on the way out..later
DeleteAs a fan, I really wish I could have heard a little more whining from Tony Stewart. I think his constant complaining is just what fans love to hear. I just wish he could have thrown in a couple more snarky comments to satisfy the fans who watched the race. After all, who cares if the 160,000 fans in attendance and millions of TV viewers are getting an exciting race to watch. What really matters is if the 43 drivers are content with the quality of racing. I absolutely agree with Tony Stewart that he should not be forced to glance at his gauges while he races. He does not earn enough money to require him to move his eyes downward, even if it's only for 2 seconds. He should not be forced to analyze any information about the racecar - anything beyond turn left should be left to the engineers and mechanics who know what it means when the dial on the water temp is in the red zone. I know, I know, Tony is sponsored by Mobil, but that doesn't mean that he should be expected to know if his car has fuel in the tank. Turn left Tony, turn left. I think Tony loves the celebrity aspect of the sport though... He makes some great faces in the bumper segments when Fox goes to commercial. Maybe he prefers show biz to racing. If that's the case, put on your shades and tuxedo and leave the racing to the old school guys - if there's any left...
ReplyDeleteI think the SuperSpeedway races are a joke. They are boring to watch up until the final 10 laps, and let's face it, they certainly don't require the talent of a track like Bristol. I love Stewart's figure eight comment. It reminds me of a SNL Jack Tandy skit.
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DeleteNASCAR Would look so foolish if they penalized Tony!! He speaks his mind like you should be able to do without question!!! Not be some puppet spokes person driver like NASCAR Want's you to be, We all know who they are. NASCAR has much more concerns like correct the racing so you fill the seats again.Good luck.
ReplyDelete#1 running out of fuel is the crew chiefs fault. #2 Stewart is right, and he is one of the best all around race car drivers there is. #3 there are all different types of fans. I've been a fan for 41 years and I hate wrecks, but some of my friends like wrecks. #4 I think NASCAR should give the teams and crews more lee-way when it comes to the set up of the car. Blown engines and the inability to pass is bullshit.
ReplyDelete#1 this is only the 2nd time they have run EFI at a superspeedway...not the crew chief's fault if nascar is testing a completely new system IN A RACE!!!#2 Stewart is NOT right. He has to remeber the same dumb*sses who like to see wrecks are the same ones that buy the tickets, buy the apparel and shop at his sponsor's stores. No fans= no NASCAR. #3 And your point is? #4 You have got to be freaking kidding me..leeway? thats crap and you know it. Everybody needs to run to the exact same specs as everyone else. They should change to amount of air allowed in through the front grill though. I do agree that blown engines are bullcrap especially when it happens as a reslt of a rule change.
DeleteI think the winner of the superspeedway races should be given a free lucky dog pass to use at any race the rest of the year. You have to be lucky to win there period. Take the plate off and let them lap the field at least the fastest car wins.
ReplyDeletehere are all the tony haters..blah blah blah..nobody cares about your opinion..
ReplyDeletedont fool your self fan,stewart says what every other driver is thinking anddont have the guts to say because you all my bash them to
I think it's a great job of playing with the reporter...having some fun answering the same stupid ass questions.
ReplyDeleteWith that quote I think he has won one of his own Stewies for best quote of the year.
ReplyDeleteTony was being funny, he isn't a cry baby and he is one of the BEST all time racers. I love that he has a sense of humor through all this frustration and at least he stays cool about it all now and doesn't turn into a hothead. Tony you rock!
ReplyDeleteYes exactly Renee. I loved the interview, wish I could have seen the video...there'd have been some "tells" even if Tony is good at the poker face! I laughed and laughed. Thanks Tony! ;0)
DeleteGreat interview.
ReplyDeleteLook, if you wanna stop tandem racing change the back end of the car. If the cars can't line up perfectly, no pushing. The old cars would bump draft but couldn't lock on because they would jack the rear end of the front car up. Just change the rear bumper. I mean limiting the airflow to the engine to perpetuate overheating in order to curtail tandem racing, how stupid is that. Classic Nascar thinking.