Statement from Tony Stewart Regarding Lap 32 Incident at Pocono Involving Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards TonyStewart.com
COLUMBUS, Ind. - The following is a statement from NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Tony Stewart regarding the lap 32 incident in Sunday's Pennsylvania 500 that involved Stewart, Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards.
"I'm taking 100 percent responsibility for the final incident that occurred on lap 32 between myself, the 07 (Bowyer) and the 99 (Edwards). It was totally my fault.
"At the same time, there were circumstances that led up to that wreck, and after talking with Clint this morning, we both have a better understanding as to what happened. He was trying to get out of my way and didn't realize that I had gone to the outside. He thought I was to his inside, and when he tried to give me some room, he slid into us and it put us into the outside wall. I reacted, causing the wreck that I take responsibility for and regret."
On lap 32, Stewart was racing on the outside of Bowyer through turn three of Pocono's 2.5-mile triangle when Bowyer's car pushed out toward the wall. Stewart gave as much ground as he could until scraping the wall with the right side of his No. 20 Chevrolet. As he came off the wall, Stewart made contact with Bowyer, sending Bowyer's No. 07 Chevrolet into Edwards' No. 99 Ford.
NASCAR penalized Stewart one lap for aggressive driving, putting the two-time and reigning Nextel Cup champion 41st in the 43-car field.
Stewart regained his lead lap status on lap 41 by passing then leader Ryan Newman. Stewart went on to finish seventh in the 200-lap race.
Okay Champ you have had your say, now I am going to have my say. Tony I love to watch you race and I will defend you to anyone. But Smoke you have got to settle down. You are hurting your team and you are hurting yourself.
You have made such strides in the last year and half to make yourself a much happier person. You cannot tell me that you are very happy with the way you have acted to situations this year. Tony I know that you have alot more responsibilities this year as champ. I know that you are probably traveling twice as much as you did last year. Trying to fulfill your responsibilities not only to your regular sponsors but, also your commitments as Champ.
Remember last year? You were always so happy at the track. What has happened? I don't know why this year is so troublesome for you. Unless you are just stressed out. And if that is the case this is what you need to do:
Tony you need to take a vacation. You need to get away from all the pressures of NASCAR and enjoy yourself.
I sincerely hope that you take advantage of this off-week. I hope you turn off your cell phones. Tell the paper boy to hold the paper. Turn off the computer. Avoid the media. Go find your bass boat and get yourself onto your lake and fish everyday from sun up to sun down.
A very nice read. Thank you. I agree with you. But I do have to say that as a defending champion Tony has not gotten a whole helluva lot of respect from the media, drivers new and old, and just different fans. The frustration is probably eating away at him..this does cause me heartache. I know Tony is a good man, and yet I also know the pressure of constantly being in the media, the pressure of the Chase, well..I have to admit, right or wrong, I would have done what he did. Please don't take that as saying it's ok..it's just the way I actually feel. He's dealing with a lot. I hope he takes your advice. :)
Tsfanpc,
Wow! I truely respect what you are saying here and I believe you do more to better the fanbase of "Smoke", than fans that can't be honest.
We have had great debates in the past, but you will find no quarrel with me here. Awesome blog - my friend!
SouthernCindi,
All the other drivers have the same pressures. Past champs have had the same pressures. You can't close your eyes and say, "my poor Tony has so many things that frustrate him". As a man he is accountable for what he does and says. He's not a child - so Mommy SouthernCindi quit defending his actions.
Last edited by nascarfan_fanzone on July 25th at 12:46 PM.
SouthernCindi trust me, if I were put into the same situation as Smoke, I probably would have done the same thing. I think the stress is getting to him. I really think alot of Smoke's problem is that he just has too much on his plate and he is simply burned out. I hope that he relaxes this week.
Mavrik59 I hope that you are feeling better now. At least you have away of dealing with something that doesn't agree with you.
kyjrfan I agree with you Tony is very grouchy lately. But I really think that has to do with all the pressures that he is facing. After all it seems that when you are the Champ everyone wants a piece of you, the good and bad pieces. hahaha
nascarfan fanzone What I actually wrote a blog that you have no quarrel with? Has the world come to an end and no one told me? Just kidding.
I always try to be honest with my view of Tony. Granted we have not always seen things the same way.
Thanks for the kind words, but somehow I think we will be back to our lively debates real soon. hahaha
Tsfanpc- I feel much much better! Thank you....
I enjoy the debate....
If we fans of Gordon and Puffy SMoke could get them to quit the whining ####y attitudes we could then focus on racing and not have to defend them as we so often have to do.
Other than Kurt Bush I can not stand your boy Puffy....
Sighs. Shakes head. Rolls eyes. Decides Mavrik isn't worth the time. BUT...I would have done the same thing as Tony. Have you ever raced? I have..lol...and I meant business..outta my way! Tryin' to win a race here..lol.
As far as Gordon and Stewart "whining", if they didn't do it, then what would the media and us fans who blog have to write out? (wink)
Now as far as calling Smoke Names, I really don't appreciate that and that is why I don't call Gordon names. As much as I don't call him names. It is because of all the name calling that Gordon and Stewart fans can't get along. So please lay off the name calling here.
Tsfanpc- calling a driver names? I think that my calling Stewart Puffy is an accurate description for him... The way he acts is deserving of Puffy... If you can not handle something as easy and soft as Puffy then that is your issue... I think it is extremely mild..
SoutherCindi- I am not worth it because as usual you have no substance of subject or facts to back up anything that you say in your postings. You also contradict yourself trying to defend your boy Stewart...You state- Tryin' ? (sorry but the apostrophe does not replace the g making it a word) to win a race here outta my way! Meaning that you condone Stewarts poor racing skills and his deliberate knocking people out of the race.... I seem to remember a couple of postings where you slammed and name called on Gordon for tapping Kenseth.... so it is ok for you to do what you accuse me of?
I have read your blogs Southerncindi and you are amateur... you post based on emotions only... bring something more to the table...
Now Mavrik59, don't get in an uproar because I don't like for Tony to be called Puffy. I just think that name calling is childish. When you deal with children all day long, you really don't like having to deal with adults with childish behavior. hahaha
Tsfanpc- Tony Stewart fan politically correct? Sorry but this is not kindergarten/elementary and political correctness is old news sweetie. This is NASCAR. Bleeding heart liberals need not apply as well.... Too much estrogen for me....
I am sure that Puffy read this blog and I am sure that he will take your and southerncindi's advice.....roflmao
Laughter is good and I thank you....
Good Luck tryin'(as southerncindi would say) to change PUFFY BOY
A side note- My admitting to being a little rough and pulling chains. I apologize if I seem too hard or personal. It is not personal at all. I like good hard core debates that have substance and fact. Too many on here go with the "my driver is better than your driver and your driver is terrible, and, well your driver just sucks, because, well I just don't like him" attitude. Some get nasty and some call drivers names that go overboard but they can not back anything up. One person on here stated that Jeff Gordon was a disgrace to racing. BASED ON WHAT? Because he raced hard and bumped Kenseth at the end? They had no response when I called them on it.
Being a Gordon fan, lol, I have heard it all yet no one wants to talk about his accomplishments. Jealousy is never admitted.
It is always fun and I look forward to good fun blogs.
Mavrik59 I enjoy a great debate as well as anyone. But I just don't care for name calling. Like I said earlier when you work with children all day, you really don't want to deal with adults acting like children. And trust me I never consider your comments rough or personal. I am an Adult I can handle it. hahaha
As far as me being Politically Correct, Not Me. Just read some of my stuff. I am far from it. I am not liberal either. As far as I am concerned all liberals can go over to France and live.
And believe me I do stand up for Tony, but that doesn't mean I always agree with him. Personally I think some of the things he does is very sel####estructed. But there are those who would take my words and use them against me and Tony. So therefore I select my words very carefully.
Aside note to Mavrik59 about Jeff Gordon. Trust me when you are married to a man who pulls for Jeff Gordon, you learn tack. Something not many people learn.
I think Gordon is a great racer. Now do I think he is better than Tony? No. Simply because Gordon has been in NASCAR so long that I am not sure that he would be competitive in any other form of racing.
It would be interesting to see, if Gordon could be on a regular basis, like Smoke is. But I just think that Gordon is stuck in NASCAR and he is happy there.
And trust me the PC in my username has nothing to do with Politically Correct. I am far from it. I am almost as controversial as my driver. hahaha
Tsfanpc- Very well said and I bow to your wisdom. I can appreciate your feelings about choosing your words on here. As a Gordon fan many are biting at the nails for a chance to pounce. Glad to know that you are not a PC bleeding heart liberal. France would be a much better place for them. You put a smile on my face.
As far as Gordon vs. Stewart? That is a tough one. As far as skills and overall success Stewart right no is very consistent and Gordon is not. Career wise? Sorry but Gordon's numbers in NASCAR and prior to NASCAR speak loudly. In the 90s NO ONE could touch Gordon. After Stewarts career I think he will be in the top 10 if he continues with the pace he is on. Will he ever pass Gordon's stats? NO WAY.
Tell your husband that he is a good man not only for being a Gordon fan but for living with a Stewart fan. It must be an interesting day on race day. I appreciate the conversation and debate.
I think Gordon will take Indy. How many wins does Stewart have there? lol
Stewart Gordon
starts 7 12
poles 1 3
WINS 1 4
top 5 3 7
top 10 4 10
laps led 150 433
Stewart should race good this year if he does not lose his head...
Mavrik59 So many times I have heard people compare Stewart's and Gordon's stats. There is no way to really compare them.
Sometimes I wonder if Stewart would have come into NASCAR when Gordon did, if Gordon would have been as successful?
But that is something that we will never know. But what I do know is that while Gordon was becoming successful in Cup racing, Stewart was off doing what he loves: Open wheel racing.
While Gordon was busy compling his 3 championships, Stewart was busy compling 4 USAC wins and an IRL championship.
So both have been very successful in their respected avenues to Cup.
And as far as Indy, I don't think Gordon nor Stewart will win. I have got my eye on Kasey Kahne and one Denny Hamlin. I really think someone who has never won at Indy before will win this weekend. Should be an interesting weekend.
As far as raceday around my house, you would think it would be a free forall, but in actually it is pretty tame. I watch the race and my husband sleeps or plays his XBox until the final 30 laps and then he will come and watch the race.
He will check in throughout the race as to where Tony and Jeff are running, but that is about it. No punches pulled and no bad comments to have to apologize for later.
So unless Jeff or Tony take it each out, nothing much is said. Then I fuss at the TV, my husband doesn't really care. He only gets upset if his Redskins are losing. Not if Gordon got taken out. He just wants to know where he is running and what happened if he is not running.
Tsfanpc- good to see someone that knows stats vs. being a fan just because, well I like him. So many try and debate why they like someone but never get past the "he is the best driver ever" yet offer no other reason as to why their driver is the best.
I will not take anything away from Stewart and his open wheel history but I will offer that Gordon had great success as well.
At age 5 raced quarter midgets. Age 6 1978 won 35 main events and won the Western State Championship.
1979 won his first Grand National Championship. 1980 he took the fastest time award in ALL 50 events he race in and winning 46 races. He dominated the Midget circuit.
At age 13 he started sprint cars ending with 22USAC wins, 55 top fives and 66 top 10s.
1190 at 19 he became the youngest ever USAC National Midget champion in history followed by the next year winning USAC dirt title to be the youngest Silver Crown winner.
I think that Stewart and Gordon come from similar past and they are both talented but your statement about whether or not Gordon would have been as successful if Stewart started in 1993 with him speaks for itself.
Since Stewarts start in 1999 his total wins IS SECOND ONLY TO ?????????
Jeff Gordon!
I take it that what you meant was that Gordon may not have been as successful had Stewart been there to compete against. Well since Stewarts start in Nextel Cup 1999
Jeff Gordon has 1 Championship but has also
egual or better numbers than Stewart. Stewart's most wins in a season is 6 compared to Gordon's 13. Gordon is also the only back
back to back Champ since Dale Sr. No other active driver today can compare to Jeff's overall career numbers. Mark Martin is close but has no Championships. I am not taking anything away from any drivers success or numbers but Gordon's success compares only to Petty. Dale Sr, Darrell Waltrip, Cale Yarborough. I will say that Stewart is on the right track to be one of the best if he keeps his head about him.
I hope to see more head to head with Gordon and Stewart and hopefully Dale Jr so that we can have many memorable moments to talk about now and in the future.
Yes Mavirk59 I did mean that Gordon might not have been as successful if Stewart had been there. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.
I knew that Gordon was very successful in USAC. That is what helped to propel him Cup racing. His car control was really shaped by USAC racing.
I agree that Jeff Gordon has impressive numbers liken unto Richard Petty, Dale Sr. and Cale Yarborough.
But Jeff came into NASCAR when there were only a handful of really competitive teams. Things have changed so much in the 8 years that Stewart has been in Cup that we may never again see back to back champions.
Jeff was the youngest of all the drivers in Cup back in the 1990s. He had raw talent that was unmatched by anyone. Most of the guys he raced against were in the 30s or older. The teams that were winning like Cale, DW, Dale Sr. and Petty many of them were looking at having their drivers retire in a few years.
So Gordon was the youthful movement of his era like Hamlin, Soreson, Yeley, Bowyer, Ky. Busch are the youth movement of today.
Tony came into NASCAR just one year before a new crop of new drivers began swarming into Cup. As guys like Tony and Jeff get older and more set in their ways, there is going to be more run ins with the "Young Guns".
Because the Young Guns want to learn from the Veterans, but they want to be respected, as the veterans want to be respected.
So the next few years should be very entertaining in Cup racing.
Tsfanpc- wow, I appreciate your knowledge. Something that many on hear do not have. With all of this said let us not forget all of the changes within NASCAR itself. The TEAM means a lot no matter what the sport but a level playing field has made it easier for a driver to be successful if he has the raw skills. Gordon came in when his team was hitting on all cylinders and they had better cars, testing and RD than many others. Combine that with Gordon's skill and drive and you have success just as it happened. The changes Nascar has made over the years some good some not so good has made huge differences in how some drivers have to drive. Some figured it out quickly others it took a few years...
It will be interesting over the next 5 years and I hope it will be getting better for the fans.
One other thing- I still do not agree with your assessment that Gordon would not have been as successful if Stewart came in at the same time. 6 years difference would have meant Stewart having 6 less years of his climb to NASCAR. If he had not had those additional 6 years I don't think he would have been ready for NASCAR and the competition as it was at the time and perhaps he would have not been successful. Thinking something like this is like well the old woulda, coulda shoulda and the old BIG IF theory.
And most of all, IF GRANDMA HAD BALLS SHOULD WOULD BE GRANDPA.
All in all the young guns of today can never be compared to the old drivers of the 70s and 80s and early 90s. There may be a Jimmie Johnson or two but most of these guys will NEVER match up to the raw hard skill of the past. Just as many say today most teams could put just about anyone with basic skills in the cars and have some success.
This sport will never have drivers like Pearson, Petty, Dale SR, Yarborough, Labontes, Elliot, Wallace, Allisons, Darrell Waltrip etc. The cars and teams do most of the winning these days. The raw talented drivers of yesterday will go away with the retirement of Martin, Labonte, Jarrett and yes Gordon.
Nothing disrespectful here but 90% of the young drivers today could no compete competitively with the old MAVERICKS of yesterday.
Yes different era different playing field. Like most everything else in this country of ours no matter what the realm things are made easier for us. More this more that and we don't seem to have to work as hard.
Example-Nothing against Hamlin but you could have put my dead grandmother in his car at Pocono and she would have won. Nothing came close to that car.....
Well, it will be good debate and fun. Indy will be interesting to see if the old or new does best.
My bet is on the old!
Mavrik59 Thank you for appreciating my knowledge. It is not to hard to be informed about NASCAR's history when you grow up in the heart of NASCAR. Especially when you dad pulled for The King Richard himself.
And I will agree with you that by NASCAR leveling the playing field it has made it alot easier for drivers.
As far as Stewart needing 6 more years to hone his driving skills, I think if truth be told Gordon could have used another year away from Cup. After all during his rookie year he had 11 DNF's and no Wins. Stewart had 1 DNF and 3 wins. Guess those 6 years did alot to improve Stewart's car control. Maybe Gordon should have stayed in USAC alittle longer too. (Sorry just had to do it hahaha)
And as far as Indy, I didn't mean to say that ONLY a young guy would win Indy. Just that a driver who had never won Indy before will be in Victory Lane. Could be Biffle or Johnson. But like you said it should be interesting.
I think Stewart would have fit in perfect with the Allisons, DW and Yarborough. After all Stewart loves a good fight. And remember Donnie Allison and Yarborough along with Bobby taking swings at each other at the Daytona 500. If Stewart would have been old enough, I could have seen him out there throwing punches with these 3.
As far as the young guns I will agree with you that there are not too many with the talents of a Stewart (sorry you said Johnson, but I am no fan of his so I will stick with Stewart, hahaha). But don't underestimate Hamlin. And I really think that once Yeley gets comfortable with these big stock cars he will is going to surprise alot of people. But I think the one rookie I am most disappointed in is Truex. I really thought he would be more a force in the rookie class this year. Bowyer, with the help of teammates Burton and Harvick should be succesful. But will he set the world afire, probably not. Sorenson, I am still not sure about him. I think he might have been put into Cup way too early. I think he would have benefitted from another year or two in Busch.
And I agree this sport will never see drivers like Pearson, Petty and the others you mentioned. But you have to admit the closet driver we have to these drivers type of driving is Stewart. Love him or hate him, Stewart is a talented driver who uses his raw driving skills to propel to the front week in and week out.
And I agree that drivers who have raw talent will go away when Martin, Labonte, Gordon and Jarrett go away. But I think the one driver who will be most remembe
I like Tony just the way he is :) How boring would Nascar be without drivers like Tony...you never know what he'll do. Drivers like Michael Waltrip...you never know who is going to wreck him next. :) Drivers like Dale Jr...you wonder when he's going to get pissed! Drivers like Kennseth...he can say some funny ####. Drivers like Hamlin...what will calm this one down. Drivers like Carl Edwards...he won't rest until we see him with his pants down! And NO I don't want to see that...not even with a bag on it's head! LOL
Last edited by fishwanda on August 3rd at 6:26 AM.
im a Carl Edwards fan from the day he started racing, and carl is a calm, cool and collected guy, and i dont care if ur Ghandi if u make Carl mad u have done something wrong, tony should have immediately walked over to Carl and apoligized. Instead he decided to be a complete ####.
tony is a complete ####-hole and needs to get a body guard because if he pulls that #### again to Carl, u can garantee that carl is not going to take and will get in tonys face about it, i personally just want to see that fat pig number 20 sqweal, representin' carl hometown Columbia,MO
