First, for those of you who don't already know, I think Tony Stewart has awesome talent as a driver but he also has awesome talent at being childish, boorish, mean-spirited, and a total jerk at times. While his complaints about the performance of Goodyear tires lately obviously have some merit, his delivery of that message could certainly be improved. What is ironic is that tires with a compound that is too hard actually favor the most talented drivers. Tony and Kyle and Biffle are perfect examples. They all can get more out of ill-handling race cars than 90% of the guys on the track so they all owe Goodyear gratitude for the tires provided for the Atlanta race.
But even more importantly, Smoke has at least five other complaints that should supersede any discussion of tires. While he hasn't gone public with some of these yet, I have a spy in his organization who has confirmed that these are the five topics about which he whines most frequently.
#1) He is now taller lying down than he is standing vertically.
#2) Because of his recent Cup winless streak, Mary Kay Cosmetics has discontinued the Home Depot Orange lipstick that he prefers.
#3) Subway is cutting commercial ties with him since he is now wider than most of their stores.
#4) Pillsbury has filed legal action against his use of the nickname "The Pillsbury Dough Girl" and
#5) He is now known to be only the second best driver on the JGR team.
hoosier13: Nice rant I wonder if you could do any better than smoke on the track hes just smoke being smoke really would you want him to be the good church chior boy ..not me I like him just the way he is ..JW
I love how the only thing you can come up with to get at him is his weight. Never mind that is one of best drivers EVER! Maybe your time would be better spent not being concerned with his weight. It's NASCAR not a beauty pageant.
JW,
As I said, he's a great driver. My animosity (not hatred) for him goes back many years to a night my son and I saw him cuss out a 10-yr. old boy at an indoor midget race including several f-bombs because the kid walked up to him while he was pawing some babe other than the one to whom he was engaged at the time. The kid said "Mr. Stewart, may I have your autograph" and Tony just went off on him for 5 minutes. A real no-class act.
Hanahan,
Yeah I doubted at one time that Tony would leave JGR at the end of this season even to go back to a Chevy at RCR but now that he is no longer the top shoe for that team, I think he will leave at season's end. I still can't believe Home Depot hasn't dumped him yet because there are so many Cup fans that will never spend a dime there as long as he is their driver. He's by far the biggest headache for a sponsor of any driver out there.
NASCARLOVER,
I can only assume you are a relatively young Cup fan if you think Tony is one of the best drivers EVER in Cup racing. Statistically, he's not one of the ten best but maybe you just mean top 25 or something.
By the way, it's his big mouth more than his big gut that bothers me. I think he has classic little man's syndrome. When a guy is that short and hates it, he often either becomes a mouthy cop or a mouthy race driver and given the choice, I'm glad Tony races - lol.
Last edited by HoosierRacer13 on March 10th at 8:40 AM.
Thanks for stopping by but I have a question for you. Are you saying #1 isn't true??? lol. Yeah, #5 is true for sure and that's the real reason Tony is so unhappy now.
By the way, I think Kenseth is going through the same thing since Carl is now obviously the best driver on that team. Personally, I'd take da Biff over MK too since Biff actually drives to try to win instead of just getting points.
Last edited by HoosierRacer13 on March 10th at 9:38 AM.
I like Kenseth but I agree that he is too conservative. Biffle is like you said, racing to win. NASCAR needs to stop paying lip-service to emphasizing wins and really do something about it. They should give a 50-75 point bonus per victory and possibly even guarantee entry into the chase format with a win. I've been a Terry/Bobby Labonte fan for years, but they were never aggressive enough to really push their cars to the edge.
No GOOD YEAR tires on my car EVER HR13. What recession? I think you listen too much to the talk show hosts. Facts are facts, but they can be distorted by flawed thinking and double speak. We are entitled to our own opinions, right? Because we come to different conclusions doesn't make either of us wrong, but it is always fun to have someone attack you the person rather than answering the questions or doing the research. I am proud to be a left coaster! I stand by what I say and write, you?
Kenseth too conservative? Did you not see him battling door to door with JJ for the wins at Texas, Phoenix and Homestead last year? I love Kenseth...cant stand the Bif, eh on Edwards.
klvalus,
My point isn't that Kenseth doesn't race hard, anyone at that level does. Yeah he has had some door-to-door finishes, but so did Terry and Bobby Labonte. But essentially, Kenseth is a points racer - he will look for top-fives and tens, and not takes the chances in strategy or adjustment risk unless he is there at the end. We can now make that same argument for Jeff Gordon in the last few years. As DW would say - don't count him out until the end. But he is not the "rim-rider" that Kyle, Biffle and Edwards are.
I'd be more impressed with your assessment of Kenseth if he didn't have 40 wins - which is only 20th in the 50-year history of NASCAR. I mean, there's "points-racing" and there's "smart racing". Kenseth's not going to wreck a third-place car recklessly going for second, but I don't think that makes him a "points-racer".
Your talking about 40 combined wins. He has what - 17-18 cup wins in 9 years? Bobby Labonte has 21 cup wins since 1995, but he ran as a one car team until 1999. Kenseth started with Roush along side Mark Martin and Jeff Burton. At one time Roush was right there if not just better than HMS as a multi-car operation. Kenseth is an excellent racer but not a rim-rider. Sorry, I stand by my analysis.
If you watched #18 car in the late-90 through 2003 you will see the comparison between Labonte and Kenseth. Their driving styles are very similar and they have historically had success at similar tracks.
BeaverNut,
Well it's off topic but we are both entitled to our own opinion but there is only one set of FACTS. A recession is defined as two consecutive quarters of negative growth in GDP (gross domestic product) and we haven't had one quarter of negative growth recently so by definition we are not in a recession. If you are going to pick on George Bush, you should be able to find something factual to target not some made up garbage the liberal media wants to feed us.
RacingInsider,
Sorry if this was a little above your level of comprehension. My point is I'm tired of whiny drivers who make millions complaining every time they have to work a little harder than they think they should to earn their money. If Tony was a little more intelligent, he would see that it would be to his advantage if Cup officials told Goodyear they always want a "too hard" compound for the rest of this season because it would benefit Tony and Kyle and Biff.
IG,
Even if Smoke knew my address and called to say he was coming to see me, I wouldn't change my frequent criticisms of him. Heck, I'm 60 and in better shape physically than he has probably ever been. I'd kick his whiny big rear end all the way back to Columbus, Indiana - lol. Bring it on Smoke for Brains Dough Girl.
JJD,
Would it surprise you to learn that Matt Kenseth is only 10th of active Cup drivers in terms of percentage of races won to starts. He trails Jr., Kurt, Ryan Newman, Carl, and Greg plus the obvious top 3, Jeff G., Jimmie J., and Tony S. He even trails Bill Elliott who is still semi-active. Great points racer, not a guy I'd hire if I was looking for wins and I still say he is only the 3rd best driver on Jack's Cup team.
samcolts,
Tony has his two Championships and more wins BUT if I was Joe Gibbs, Rick Hendrick, Richard Childress, or any of the other owners in Cup racing and I got to hire either Kyle or Tony for a new 3 year contract, I'd take Kyle in a heartbeat.
Jay Jay Dean....Put your shoes back on, and stop counting. Matt Kenseth has 16 Cup wins lifetime, total, that's it.
Facts are facts - I'm just stating them. Yeah, they are combined, but you should SEE some of the cheap-o wins thee King gets credit for - many, many are less impressive than winning a NWS or Truck race today.
Would it surprise you to learn that Matt Kenseth is only 10th of active Cup drivers in terms of percentage of races won to starts. He trails Jr., Kurt, Ryan Newman, Carl, and Greg plus the obvious top 3, Jeff G., Jimmie J., and Tony S. He even trails Bill Elliott who is still semi-active. Great points racer, not a guy I'd hire if I was looking for wins and I still say he is only the 3rd best driver on Jack's Cup team.
He also won seven races in the two full seasons of Busch racing he did and failed to win the championship either time, then in 2002 he LED the Cup series with five wins and finished eighth in the standings, which he followed up with his one win-championship season. Now, after going through those season, which would YOU do?
The fact remains, since 2002, he's FIFTH in wins, behind only JJ, Gordon, Stewart, and Kurt Busch. Perhaps you have some insight into those other races he didn't win that he maybe should have?
Me = not particularly a Kenseth fan, either. It just seems silly to me that someone would say the guy who is 25th on the all-time Cup wins list isn't a guy who races for wins.
JJD,
Yes facts are facts but I just don't know where you are getting your so-called facts. There are 42 drivers with more Cup wins than Matt Kenseth so how do you have him in the top twenty-five?
Yes facts are facts but I just don't know where you are getting your so-called facts. There are 42 drivers with more Cup wins than Matt Kenseth so how do you have him in the top twenty-five?
noahspop2001,
Thanks for stopping by. Yeah, maybe one of the reasons he left USAC and the IRL is because the minimum weight in those series is for the car before the driver is in it. Gosh, he'd be giving up so much weight to Danica, he'd be hard pressed to beat her even with his talent.
Hoosier....As always I had to laugh out loud. I must tell you there is a part of me that feels sorry for Tony? Do not cast me out, I will explain!
The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. As I think of my three best friends I realize they are fine, I could be in trouble here.
24x2,
Tony's fine. Most people with his condition are in total denial and have no idea why anyone would not love them let alone dislike them. I saw a quote this morning that reminded me of him.
Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional.
By the way, I'm picking on someone new today. Check out my new blog on Carl Edwards and Jack Roush.
Finally, if you're the odd person out among your three best friends, that just makes you the most special. Although, I had a junior high history teacher who told our class that one of four of us would end up in a mental institution. It worried me for months until I got so crazy I just killed the #### - lol. Fortunately I was never sent to an institution. I think that was mostly because I successfully completed a home-study course in self-administered neurosurgery. Cheers :-)
There is nothing JJD stated that changes the perception of him being a conservative racer. For all the statistics mentioned, he still compares to someone like Labonte, who was a Busch Series Champion and Cup Champion. Their driving styles are very similar. Labonte won 5 cup races in 1999 and finished 2nd in the point standings. He won 4 races in 2000 and won the championship. But from 1995-2000 he only trailed Gordon, Martin and Jarrett in victories. There are only three years in his career (1995 - 3 wins) where he had more than two victories. Kenseth, I believe has done this three times, also.
Racing Professor Aha again with the humor! I personally like #3....meanwhile please tell Tony to call Jenny Craig...that would be a commercial that may or maynot bring results??? Pioneer
moseby,
I agree. If Kyle Busch has what most would perceive as a 5th place car at best, he is still going to drive the wheels off it trying to get a win. He may crash more but he will definitely win more as well with that approach. Boring ol' Matt is going to tool around like he's sightseeing to be sure he gets a top ten finish. He is almost the sole reason they implemented the darn Chase which I think is a horrible way to determine a champion. Thanks for ruining the Championship Matty.
Jenny Craig probably wouldn't have him. It's just a good thing Cup cars aren't right hand drive like postal vehicles and European cars. Goodyear wouldn't be able to make right side tires hard enough to last with Tony on the right side of the car.
HoosierRacer13>> you are funny!!! Tony is a two time champ this early in his career!! What stats could you possibly be talking about!! I have been a nascar fan for over 25 years and only a few names come to mind as better than Tony... You may need to get a new prescription for your glasses when you are checking stats!!!
IS THERE ANYOTHER DRIVER IN CUP THAT HAS WON TITALS IN 4 OTHER SERIES I DON'T THINK SO. YOU PEOPLE WHO DOWN TONY ARE PRETTY SAD PEOPLE. HE LIKE ANYONE ELSE SHOULD BE ABLE TO VOICE HIS OPINION. I LIKE TONY JUST FOR THAT REASON. AT LEAST HE'S NOT AFRAID OF SAY WHAT HE THINKS AND TAKE THE FLACK FROM IT. JOHNSON WOULDN'T SAY ---- IF HE WAS STANDING IN IT HE IS SUCH A GOODIE TWO SHOES I HOPE HE DOESN'T WIN A RACE THIS SEASON. AND CHAD KANUS SHOULD BE RUN OUT OF THE NASCAR BUSINESS WITH ALL THE CHEATING HE HAS DONE. NOW THOSE KINDS OF GUYS ARE THE ONES YOU SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT NOT TONY OR GIBBS IN GENERAL. IN OTHER WORDS YOUR BLOG STINKS.
HOOSIERRACER13 WHY DON'T YOU GET OFF THE BLOG CAUSE ALL YOU ARE DOING IS TAKING UP SPACE THAT COULD BE USED BY A GOOD BLOGGER, WHICH YOU ARE NOT. I'D LOVE TO SEE YOU GET INTO ONE OF THOSE CUP CARS AND GO 1 LAP AT DAYTONA AT 200 MILES AN HOUR USUALLY THOSE WHO FIND FAULT CAN'T DO ANYTHING THEMSELVES. HAVE A NICE DAY
To TheGreat1,
I have no idea what your comment means. JJD and I were discussing stats involving Matt Kenseth but I'm not sure what that has to do with Tony. Maybe you should get your prescription checked since my blog clearly states that Smoke for Brains has awesome talent. By the way, I've been a NASCAR fan for about 40 years and I can give you plenty of names of drivers better than Tony. Go to jayski.com and look at all time winning percentage as well as career wins and you'll learn something.
I really wish that everyone would get off of Stewart's back....he's the only "old school" type of driver we have left. All the others have sold out and contribute everything to "a racing deal". If I hear that as a reason for anything again I'll scream. Doesn't anyone remember how NASCAR racing used to be......It sure as hell wasn't this whiny-#### pretty boy #### we have now. I will continue driving 5 extra miles out of my way to pass a Lowe's store and go to The Home Depot as long as they are Stewart's sponsor and Lowe's sticks with Jimmie Johnson and the Hendrick gang of cheaters.
Actually, I appreciate you sharing your opinion even if you think my blog stinks and that I should just go away. While I have nowhere near the driving talent of Tony or any other Cup driver, I have driven and owned race cars for more than 35 years and still race most Friday and Saturday nights even though I am 60. I have no respect for Tony as a person but tons of respect for his talent as a race driver. That goes back to incidents I witnessed of the real Tony in action which have been repeated too many times so I'll leave it at that. Perhaps you should consider writing a blog since you have such strong admiration for the fat, immature jerk.
KEVDOG,
Thanks for taking the time to read my blog and to comment on its content. I think Tony is his own worst enemy because he just can't seem to put his brain in gear before he releases his mouth and stomps on the gas. Perhaps when he learns better how to deliver his opinions, they will be recevied more respectfully. The message had some merit, the timing and method of delivery are what made so many attack him AGAIN. Believe me, I have nothing against being outspoken or feisty but coming across so unprofessionally has and will continue to hurt his relationship with sponsors. He's been talked to about it by reps from Home Depot on more than one occasion and that's FACT not speculation.
To all who pass this way, I have a question. Do any of you find it ironic that the people who love Smoke for Brains and come to his defense for being so outspoken and telling it like he thinks it is are upset, offended, hateful, disrespectful, and down right mean to a blogger who is doing exactly the same thing, telling it like he thinks it is?
