Stewart's Exit Surprising, Commendable

Tony Stewart knew he was in trouble.

The driver of the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota had started the race -- actually more like the race weekend -- feeling under the weather. And as the field took the green flag for Saturday night's Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, Stewart was hoping he could muster up enough strength to complete all 160 laps.

For a while, as the sun was setting, it looked like he would do it. After starting 17th, Stewart had moved all the way into the Top-5 with a car that likely could have led had he been wanting to push the issue early. Then, the handling started to go away, making the car extremely loose.

"I thought we were going to be able to (make it) for the first two runs, but once the car got a little bit loose and we had to start really sawing on the wheel, it's like it zapped the energy out of me and I started making mistakes," Stewart said.

In other words, Tony knew that he simply wasn't the best driver to be in the No. 20, and at lap 72, Stewart headed to pit road under caution, telling crew chief Greg Zippidelli that he had already unbuckled and was getting out in favor of relief driver J.J. Yeley. Yeley would finish 20th after getting caught in a last-lap crash.

"It wasn't worth putting those guys out on the track at risk and me making a mistake in front of them and creating a bad day for those guys," said Stewart.

"I was trying to be responsible and respectful to my race team and to the rest of the competitors out there."

To admit that sure takes some guts.

I know when TNT first reported that Stewart was feeling under the weather that night, I was shocked. In the pre-race show, Stewart had appeared on the pit box with TNT's Marc Fein and Larry McReynolds for an interview about his future and other topics. He showed no signs of illness and had some great answers to questions he was asked.

And, as it turns out, Stewart took part in every hospitality event that afternoon -- in between heading to the infield care center for IV's and medication.

A lot of drivers and a lot of people would have thrown in the towel long before Stewart did Saturday, but for him to willfully get out of his potentially race-winning car showed just the opposite of what some fans are calling his blatant disregard for the success of the No. 20 team.

Instead, it showed that Stewart does care about performance and that he's not giving up on a team that he appears to be leaving at the end of 2008. And that is something Stewart deserves some credit for.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

7-08-2008 @ 1:30AM

Don Emerson said...

Noiwlet's not be giving ol' Tony more credit than he deserves. I have no doubts he was ill, you could see it in his face in the pre-race show. So he tried to run the race but couldn't so he handed over his car to a relief driver. It's been done dozens of times over the years by other drivers, and I didn't see the halo hanging over their head for taking this action. Sure Tony handled it with class, but in case you haven't noticed, he's been flying under the radar and being on his best behavior all this year so far. Why? Simple, he has some big fish frying on the back burner and he doesn't want to screw it up with a temper tantrum or pig headed move on the track. My question is, if he was so ill, why didn'e he come out before he did, therefore ensuring his own safety as well as that of the other drivers. Either way, all ended well, and Tony's new image came out untarnished. Works for me....

7-08-2008 @ 9:43AM

Kim said...

Credit, indeed. I too was impressed that Stewart exited his vehicle and permitted a relief driver to take his place with a very fast car. He clearly looked ill. But hasn't anyone noticed how often Stewart has been "under the weather" this year. I can remember at least two other races this season where the announcers said Stewart was "under the weather." My concern would be why is Stewart not feeling well so often? Perhaps it's depression, medication reactions, or just plain old gettin old syndrome. Curious for sure.

Stewart is an amazing competetior and definitely has the drive to win each and every week so for him to get out of a possible winning car, is indeed commendable.

Kim

7-08-2008 @ 2:43PM

grapevinesooner said...

He seems to have mellowed quite a bit in the last few years. Still has that ability to sometimes get up on the soapbox and tell it like it is from time to time (as in after the Atlanta spring race).

I'll have to admit that once upon a time, I disliked Tony. But after seeing how much work he does for charity and how down to Earth he is, I think I'm starting to become a fan of his.

7-09-2008 @ 7:58AM

art said...

we pray every day that he comes back and drives for his own country and get the hell away from that sellout jap gibbs racin

7-08-2008 @ 5:56PM

grapevinesooner:

I like you, couldn't stand Stewart. I thought he had a bad attitude and was a big bully. That being said, like you, once I learned about all he did for charity, including helping a fellow driver (Matt Kenseth's) son out with his racing career when his own father wouldn't, I began to realize while hot-headed on the track, he is a wonderful man. He gives so much to charity. Just recently in June, he ran a dirt track race here in OH. He won and all of his winnings were donated to Kyle Petty for Victory Junction Camp. I was very impressed. I am now convinced that Stewart is a stand up guy and have become a fan of his. I've also come to respect his outspokan attitude and frankly wish he would speak out more often. :-)

Kim

7-09-2008 @ 8:41PM

anna seitter said...

I SAID IT CONSTANTLY LAST YEAR, and i say it again today on these same pages and no reference to any poster:
MEET TONY STEWART IN PERSON AND YOU ALL WILL REALIZE, HE IS EXACTLY THE OPPOSITE OF WHEN HE IS BEHIND THE WHEEL OF A CAR.(a piece of bread).
I also always said too : HE IS A CHAMPION OF CHARETY. A CHAMPION IN HELPING KIDS AND OTHERS.
I always knew it and for years because i met tony in daytona and talked to him for a couple of hours exchanging questions and comments, along with other fans.KYLE PETTY was never the only HARTED DRIVER.

7-09-2008 @ 8:50PM

OH and any driver that knows tony stew. for a long time will tell you will tell you exactly the same words i said. I heard that also from other drivers and kp will be the first one to confirm my comments.

7-10-2008 @ 2:35PM

Marilyn Smashey said...

No matter where he goes or what he decides to do I'll still be a Tony Stewart fan. I say good for him if he wants to move on. And if he decided he needed to get out of the car and let someone else drive why would anyone question that or even care to . He's a big boy I'm sure he is doing what he feels is best.