Post by jkelly57 on Apr 28, 2007 6:19:55 GMT -6
Driver Stewart is fined, retracts rant
By The Associated Press
from The Seattle Times
TALLADEGA, Ala. — Before he was allowed in the racetrack, NASCAR made sure Tony Stewart knew the rules.
Summoned to a 6 a.m. meeting Friday with top series officials, the two-time champion driver retracted every bit of the sharp rant he launched against NASCAR while admitting he damaged the sport's credibility by likening it to professional wrestling.
"I'm sure I did hurt the integrity of it, and unfairly," he said.
Although Stewart wasn't punished for comments he made on his weekly Sirius Satellite Radio show, NASCAR did fine him $10,000 for skipping a postrace news conference in Arizona last week. He also was placed on probation through the end of the year.
"I can assure you, Tony Stewart knows where he stands with NASCAR right now," spokesman Jim Hunter said.
That was obvious as a humbled Stewart, after his hourlong meeting, several times admitted he was wrong. His team was forbidden from unloading Stewart's car until the meeting concluded, forcing his crew to wait at Talladega Superspeedway while the driver met with NASCAR president Mike Helton, competition director Robin Pemberton and Nextel Cup director John Darby.
Notes
• Brad Coleman, 19, earned the pole for today's Aaron's 312 NASCAR Busch Series race at Talladega with a fast lap of 184.299 mph.
Vancouver, Wash., native Greg Biffle qualified 17th, and Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw qualified 24th.
• David Hyder, a Michael Waltrip Racing crew chief who was suspended by NASCAR for his role in an alleged cheating scandal at Daytona in February, has parted ways with the team.
By The Associated Press
from The Seattle Times
TALLADEGA, Ala. — Before he was allowed in the racetrack, NASCAR made sure Tony Stewart knew the rules.
Summoned to a 6 a.m. meeting Friday with top series officials, the two-time champion driver retracted every bit of the sharp rant he launched against NASCAR while admitting he damaged the sport's credibility by likening it to professional wrestling.
"I'm sure I did hurt the integrity of it, and unfairly," he said.
Although Stewart wasn't punished for comments he made on his weekly Sirius Satellite Radio show, NASCAR did fine him $10,000 for skipping a postrace news conference in Arizona last week. He also was placed on probation through the end of the year.
"I can assure you, Tony Stewart knows where he stands with NASCAR right now," spokesman Jim Hunter said.
That was obvious as a humbled Stewart, after his hourlong meeting, several times admitted he was wrong. His team was forbidden from unloading Stewart's car until the meeting concluded, forcing his crew to wait at Talladega Superspeedway while the driver met with NASCAR president Mike Helton, competition director Robin Pemberton and Nextel Cup director John Darby.
Notes
• Brad Coleman, 19, earned the pole for today's Aaron's 312 NASCAR Busch Series race at Talladega with a fast lap of 184.299 mph.
Vancouver, Wash., native Greg Biffle qualified 17th, and Kasey Kahne of Enumclaw qualified 24th.
• David Hyder, a Michael Waltrip Racing crew chief who was suspended by NASCAR for his role in an alleged cheating scandal at Daytona in February, has parted ways with the team.