Found this at Insiderracing.com and thought he had some pretty good things to say. I hope Tony can get help and I'm with this writer in saying they should hold press conference 30 minutes after the race.
Throwing Rocks Through An Open Cage Door
By Bill Graham
August 7, 2002
Are there any reporters out there who is not aware that Tony Stewart has a temper? Anybody left that missed the meeting where we discussed that if Tony did not win the race, he does not want to talk to us? Anyone not know where to find the stock photo's of Tony looking angry? Look people, the rules are simple. You don't tug on Superman's cape. You don't spit in the wind. You don't pull on the mask of the ole Long Ranger. And you don't chase down Tony Stewart to ask him how he feels about ending up in 12th place (or worse) after having a dominant car right after he has climbed out of the same said car.
By all accounts this photographer chased Tony half way across the garage with Tony almost eluding him a couple of times. What is this clown's plan for next week's photo op? Poking his neighbor's untethered pit bull with a stick? How about pouring pepper on a nest of rattlesnakes? If he follows a grizzly through the woods long enough he'll eventually get some good pics there too. Maybe Mother Nature will have "a good discussion" with him when he whines to her about her bear ripping him to shreds.
Joe Gibbs has asked the media to give Tony some room. Tony has asked to be left alone. They have hired a person who's whole job is to talk to the media for Tony. Why? Because Tony has a history of responding violently to stupid questions when he is frustrated. Should Tony address that problem? Of course he should. Has he tried? I think genuine efforts have been made to not just change the image, but to avoid and eliminate these episodes. But come on, you can't write story after story about Tony's anger management problem with one hand while poking him with a stick with the other.
This "photo journalist" was looking to make the news happen. To him, the story of the moment was not a storied 46 year old driver winning one of racing's premier events. He could have cared less about the tears of joy running down Ray Evernham's face. Not even interested in the dissappointment of another seasoned veteren who clawed his way from the back of the field only to end up in second place for the 3rd time. He passed all that up to try and get face to face with a man who would be more than glad to bounce his camera off the big red NASCAR trailer. He got more than he bargained for and I'll bet today he considers the meeting a great success. After all, anyone know who Gary Mook or the Indianapolis Star were before monday? I'm guessing he saw a good chance to start the 15 minute clock.
Many people are calling for NASCAR and Joe Gibbs to get Tony Stewart under control. I think it's high time that NASCAR got the reporters and crowds in the garage under control. How anyone gets any work done in that mass of confusion is beyond me. A driver or crew chief can't walk from point A to garage B without getting hit up for an autograph or facing a microphone belonging to the Indianapolis Star Jr. High School paper.
There should be places in or near the garages that are off limits. There should be paths from the motorhomes and pits to the garages that are off limits. The drivers will seek the public when they are ready for the public. They know they need the fans. If they forget, the owners and sponsors will remind them. Perhaps restricting access immediately after the race (TV crew excepted of course), but requiring the drivers to hold press conferences, let's say 30 minutes after each race would be a good balance. It would give the drivers a chance to unwind, cool down and review. It's just a thought.
Disclaimer: The opinions of WildBill are very much like the body part Kurt Busch was gesturing towards...everyone has one and his ain't pretty.
You can contact Bill Graham at: Insider Racing News