Monte Dutton on Tony

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Nobody knows what went on at Bristol, well I guess two people know. Tony knows his side and some unidentified woman knows her side. Other than that the rest is speculation.

That aside Monte offers his insight into Mr. Stewart. While I don not wholeheartedly agree with everything Monte writes, he has proven to be one of the better reporters following NASCAR over the years. If TWF knows of Sheriff he might have comment on Monte's characterization of him, I can't comment for obvious reasons.

Monte's article:


Oh, Tony, what have you done this time?

By Monte Dutton
Gazette Sports Reporter

RICHMOND, Va. — Seldom a day passes without some new, dramatic and controversial development in the life of Tony Stewart, who lives the Afghanistan of careers.

On Monday, Stewart finished second in an ARCA dirt race in DuQuoin, Ill. On Thursday, he climbed into a NASCAR truck for the first time in more than six years and won. On Friday, deputies from a place called Blountville, Tenn., came to Richmond International Raceway to take depositions and announce that Stewart was being "investigated" for an alleged assault following the Winston Cup race two weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Typical week, huh?

You want to know what makes Tony Stewart tick? Listen to what he said after his truck victory Thursday night:
"The thing I’ve always taken a lot of pride in, in 23 years of racing, is whatever type of car I got in, I was always competitive. I didn’t always win, but I was always competitive and I always had an opportunity to win. That’s always what impressed me about A.J. Foyt and Mario Andretti. There have been very few guys who could get in all different types of cars and win. I’m not saying that I’m like those guys. You look at both of their records, and I’m way behind those guys.

"Just the pride … in knowing I’ve been able to get in different kinds of race cars. … In this day and age, there are so many specialists out there. There are guys who just run Winston Cup. There are guys who just run Busch, who just run sprint cars. … For me to be able go to different series and be able to be competitive and win races. That gives me a lot of pride and excitement. That’s what makes it so special for me."

I guess I’m supposed to say I can’t understand Tony Stewart. I’m supposed to wring my hands. I do understand him, though. It’s an old story. Better watch what you wish for, kid. You might just get it. The old TV series "The Twilight Zone" practically made a living in variations on what has become the Stewart story.
No one feels sorry for the troubled star. That’s because they cannot comprehend what it’s like to be so young, so talented and so rich.

Since the first year Stewart arrived on the Winston Cup horizon, I’ve known he was claustrophobic. At first, those around him hid it. Then they started using it as an excuse when Stewart grew angry. Then, when absolutely no one paid it any attention and many laughed at the suggestion that a race driver could have such a malady, they gave up.

Well, tell me, just what that has happened to Stewart in the past two months is inconsistent with the hysteria that accompanies claustrophobia? I’ve seen the rage rise in Stewart when the world closes in on him. I’ve seen his brown eyes turn black. I’ve seen that instinct to strike out at those who seem to be cutting off his escape route.

I don’t know what happened after the Bristol race, but I’ve heard several versions that all begin with "What I heard is …" Stewart has enough trouble without having to have the rumors fed.
He’s got a reputation. It probably seems to him that every time he turns around, there’s somebody trying to draw a charge. It must seem like the whole world is coached by Dean Smith.
Stewart may need help. You know what, though? The world around him needs a little help, too. Just because Dale Earnhardt Jr. is endorsing cologne and appearing in all the magazines that smell like it, that doesn’t mean every race driver on earth has to beware the paparazzi.

A press release on Stewart’s latest troubles was passed out in the Richmond press box. It was issued by the Sheriff’s Office of Sullivan County, Tennessee. It was signed by Sheriff Wayne Anderson.

You don’t reckon Sheriff Anderson was looking for a little publicity, do you?
 
Nice piece Scabble,I look for Boss Hog to come walking down pit road pullin Roscoe P.by the ears,and Daisy Duke behind them shouting" Help Luke,and Cousin Jessie the General Lee is in trouble.and there is a race car driver in a pumpkin suite attacking me.:rolleyes:
 
its always something. people love the fifteen seconds of fame deal dont they!:rolleyes:
 
Nice article. Thanks for sharing.

After hearing of this latest episode the first thought to cross my mind was, why are we, after two weeks, just now being made aware of this? I mean we are talking about Bristol, where the loss of a temper is just a bumper or two away.

I would think there would be a multitude of media at the track with one or two enterprising souls willing to risk getting a bit to close just so they could catch Tony during his next flair up. Funny though not one media person caught this. Kinda makes you go Hmmmmm.

I think i'll remain neutral until the whole story comes out.
 
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