Tony Stewart confronts heckler in grandstands at Chili Bowl
So Stewart gave the lost-traction-Hamlin a shove with his race car and 100 feet later Stewart crossed the finish line first.
If this was a fist fight, Stewart said of the contact he made with Hamlin, Denny would have got two black eyes. I used him up pretty hard.
Stewart did it without apology. Apology is not a word that frequents his conversation. But he did it dare I use this word with compassion. It was as if Stewart was allowed no choice. Nothing personal. Flavored, of course, with Stewarts imagination.
I didnt have time to think about wine, flowers or ponies, Stewart said. No one was quite sure what ponies meant but he was just, well, Tony being Tony. That seems to be the mantra of the day with Stewart. Tony is just being Tony. Before, that meant tolerating his combative behavior. Now, in the twilight of his career, with metal imbedded in his body, Stewart is seen different. Tony being Tony means the end of an era, when drivers werent afraid to voice opinions.
Stewart may have lost a little of his skills. oh, but wait.
I missed just three corners today out of 160, Stewart said defiantly. He didnt elaborate. Didnt feel the need. Deal with it. Tony was just being Tony. After 18 years that sentence didnt feel as harsh.
Ninety percent of the guys in the field I have a ton of respect for, Stewart said. Theres five or six percent that Id knock over the grandstands if thats what it took the win a race. I wouldnt have cared.
Those 18 years have dulled the verbal blade Stewart uses, probably because he has used it so often. What once seemed shocking and offensive is now Tony being himself. It was the same with Gordon and Earnhardt, what once was objectionable was now admirable. For they stayed the course in whom they are, as Stewart has, their independence reflective of the sports iconic nature.
I got a lot of scores to settle with people (drivers) and Ive got only six months to do it, Stewart said. Ive just got to figure out if its economically feasible to do it (NASCAR fines).
That one got another laugh. And a wish as well. For old times, at least once more, Tony, could you get into one more dust-up. Doesnt need to be a full-thrown down to the garage floor. Some veins pulsing. A few words bleeped. A grab around the neck. Something to remind of us the good ol days, when Tony Stewart was Smoke, not just a Wisp.
To contact Bob Padecky email him at bobpadecky@gmail.com.
Source: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/sports/5783261-180/padecky-tony-stewart-shows-theres
