[LSC9901]

Stewart has choice words for ESPN

Associated Press


LONG POND, Pa. (AP) - Here's another four-letter word stirring up trouble for Tony Stewart: ESPN.

Stewart is fed up with the sports network and he didn't even need to curse to express his frustration with the way he believes some of its analysts have unfairly criticized him. Stewart was upset ESPN chided him for saying he was going to drink a case of beer to celebrate his July 15 win in Chicago, and one analyst even said later that Stewart was not a good role model.
Maybe it was the foul language.
When Stewart was celebrating his win last week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, he cursed in his post-race interview at the finish line. The interview was live on ESPN and NASCAR fined Stewart $25,000 and docked him 25 points this week for the inappropriate language.
Stewart talked to the media behind his hauler after qualifying on Friday at Pocono Raceway, and the former champ made it plainly — and cleanly — clear that he'll pick and choose when to speak with reporters from ESPN.
"If every time we do an interview and you want to stand here and dig up dirt, you might as well go find somebody else because we'll wait until you leave before we do the rest of the interviews," Stewart said, responding to a question from reporter David Amber.
Stewart pointed around him and wondered why ESPN couldn't ask positive, creative questions like the rest of the media. Stewart has had run-ins with the media before, however, but he took this opportunity to turn the tables and bash the network that is televising Sunday's Pennsylvania 500.
"Every time we've got to deal with somebody from ESPN it's a sharp knife trying to dig for dirt," he said. "I'm not saying they're not fair questions. Do we always have to leave with a dagger in our back from ESPN? That's all I'm curious about."
Maybe he's just upset because he didn't win the oh-so coveted "Who's Now" title.
Stewart, who had just won his second straight race when he dedicated the win to all his fans who pull for him and "take all the (expletive) from everybody else," understood why NASCAR disciplined him.
"They needed to do that and you understand why," he said. "It's just one of those deals that you're so excited you're not even thinking about what you're saying. But NASCAR did the right thing."
Stewart, fourth in the points standings, only wished announcers sometimes waited a few minutes before sticking a microphone in his face so soon after a race.
"Obviously, if we had 10 minutes to think about what we were going to say before we said things, it would give us a bigger advantage in not getting in those situations," he said. "But that's why this sport's so exciting. You get to hear the emotion, you get to feel the excitement from drivers or the disappointment, depending on what happens."
Hey, at least ESPN isn't alone in spending the week in a tussle with Stewart. Kevin Harvick is upset with Stewart, who ran into him in the closing laps at Indy and ruined what should have been a second-place finish.
The contact between the two cars with 10 laps to go in Sunday's race damaged Harvick's front fender and ruined his Chevrolet's handling. While Stewart won, Harvick faded to seventh.
"We had more to lose than gain in that situation," Stewart said.
Stewart said he reached out to Harvick on Thursday night to work through any hard feelings.
"I'd have been upset if the roles were reversed, too," he said. "I can't blame him for that. I made a mistake. I let the car get too high. I've heard differences in opinion from people watching tape and I still take responsibility for it. I would never race Kevin like that on purpose. I don't race anyone like that on purpose. I'm big about racing guys clean and having them race clean."

FOX Sports on MSN - NASCAR - Stewart has choice words for ESPN

[LSC9901]

The last two sentences are great, not true, but great !!!

[Quality88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

The last two sentences are great, not true, but great !!!

You gotta do the whole "save face" thing so you don't get anymore fines

[BringBackWilkesboro]

It's always something with Tony. Though I'm not so sure I disagree with Tony on this particular issue.

I have noticed ESPN personel, especially the ones that I can guarantee have had no previous experience covering NASCAR, as the "dirt diggers" Stewart says they've been. If any driver has a hot button issue, the reporter seems only to be looking for an intriguing story to air on their SportsCenter show. And whenever they talk NASCAR outside their usual NASCAR brodcasts, it's always "we saw these two have a little run in last week, any chance of retaliation?"

ESPN's folks like nothing more than to see the types of stories Tony has created from every driver.

[PenelopePitStop]

I seriously can't believe this post! Particularly "Stewart was upset ESPN chided him for saying he was going to drink a case of beer to celebrate his July 15 win in Chicago, and one analyst even said later that Stewart was not a good role model."

Pardon me, but BFD! What the hell is the media coming to? If Tony wants to drink a case of beer to celebrate, let him. Who cares? If he had a major beer sponsor and said he was going to drink a case of that brand, the media wouldn't have commented. Not a good role model because he "says" he's going to drink a case of beer? Role model to who? Children? What child hasn't seen mom, dad, or anyone else drink a beer or two? (That might get me in trouble.) Is opening a bottle of champagne in Victory Lane a "bad" thing as well? Besides, I don't think any sports icon should be a role model to children.

This is just flippin' crazy, and I am severely editing myself right now!

There is a football player who was accused of unspeakable acts a few weeks ago. I don't remember anyone saying he was not a good role model. Enough about that subject.

Tony has every right to be upset with ESPN. Poor guy is under the microscope right now. No matter what he says or does, he's getting slammed by the media. I actually feel bad for him. Tony speaks his mind. I respect that.

If NASCAR and the media get their way, all drivers will become zombies. All driving the perfect race, and all saying all the PC things during all interviews. Boring!

This hasn't been a good NASCAR day for me. I think I'll crawl back under my rock. I was happier there. The only saving grace is that Jr. got the pole today. As for the rest of the season, I'll just watch Stewart and Burton to see if they advance in the points, and hope the hell Jr. makes it to the chase. Other than that, I don't care anymore.

[bob101]

This is going to be good. I'd like to see at Poccono no one employed by ESPN even mention Tony Stewart or even show his car unless he's running #1 - and then maybe spotlight some go or go homer car that's running on the lead lap instead.

Be classic for the them to go right back and the only mention of him is the finishing order.....

I have a feeling if he pulls another stunt like after Indy he gets the old "NASCAR is bigger than you are and we'll keep going after your gone" speech. In my opinion it needs to go around to a lot of the drivers lately who do nothing but bitch nonstop. Ever see Tony Stewart give an interview at the race track where he wasn't bitching? EVER? No. Soandso hit him, Soandso slowed down, my own teamate stopped in front of me, Soandso needs to go back to Busch series. On a day in and day out basis I know of no other driver who gets as much media time to do nothing but bitch. Even manages to bitch after a win that was a new one for me.

Your right about Tony being under a microscope. He's the reporter bonanza for saying stuff he shouldn't in front of a camera or microphone. Why go interview another driver who will list his sponsors and talk about being loose or tight all day or the weather or points when you can talk to the human quote bad quote machine and make a good headline out of it.

[PenelopePitStop]

Originally Posted by bob101

Your right about Tony being under a microscope. He's the reporter bonanza for saying stuff he shouldn't in front of a camera or microphone. Why go interview another driver who will list his sponsors and talk about being loose or tight all day or the weather or points when you can talk to the human quote bad quote machine and make a good headline out of it.

That's a really good point. After all, this is the media. Sort of parallels network and cable news, which is why I very rarely watch the news anymore.

[LSC9901]

I guess if I had to make a top 10 list of pet peeves the media would be at the top or at least very close. I;m no marketing genius and I suppose Tony doesn't make that claim either but it doesn't take a brain surgeon to know that the media is not interested in reporting the news as was the case many years ago. Today it is all about sensationalism. Don't you all think for one minute that the media knows that Tony is a bomb just waiting to explode ?? They know full well Tony isn't going to be a Waltrip and mention every sponsor on the car and God and then give his crew chief a big ole hug. Tony is all about complaining and that is where the story is. When he stops NASCAR will no longer be able to slap him with the "detrimental to NASCAR" rule.

Tony speaks his mind. I respect that.

Under general conditions I'd be OK with that. Even for the case of beer I'm OK but the BS statement was uncalled for and was very calculated in its presentation. Totally unnecessary.

There is a football player who was accused of unspeakable acts a few weeks ago. I don't remember anyone saying he was not a good role model

Not exactly correct, although there were tons of posts about Michael Vick. One or two posts did mention the fact that he wasn't much of a role model. I agree that sports figures should not be role models to kids today, but ..... that is the way it is so it is a job they must accept with the notoriety. Just as a parent must accept specific roles when they have a child I believe a sports figure must accept certain roles when they CHOOSE to become a public figure. NO ONE is forced to become a NASCAR driver.

[I Flip For Carl]

They feel that its okay for Jr or Kurt Busch to talk about drinking beer on tv ,but its not okay for Tony to say it

[kcoruol]

Everytime he loses, Stewart blames another driver for driving the back of their car into the front of his. Now that he's winning, he's belly aching about the press asking him questions. Boo Flipping Hoo!! I'm crying for ya Tony. Life is really rough on ya! How many millions are you making with endorsements and racing. Let's switch paychecks for a week and you'll see the biggest dang smile ever on my face. It's always something with this guy.

If he wins, I hope ESPN forgets to mention it or forgets to interview him. Like when he does his fence climbing ESPN cuts to a commercial. I can't believe Home Depot even sponsors this guy. I'd like to see Kevin Harvick, Kyle Busch, and Denny Hamlin sandwich Tony "Baloney" Stewart right outta the race.

[Bob Tanner]

Originally Posted by BringBackWilkesboro

It's always something with Tony. Though I'm not so sure I disagree with Tony on this particular issue.

I have noticed ESPN personel, especially the ones that I can guarantee have had no previous experience covering NASCAR, as the "dirt diggers" Stewart says they've been. If any driver has a hot button issue, the reporter seems only to be looking for an intriguing story to air on their SportsCenter show. And whenever they talk NASCAR outside their usual NASCAR brodcasts, it's always "we saw these two have a little run in last week, any chance of retaliation?"

ESPN's folks like nothing more than to see the types of stories Tony has created from every driver.

The only thing ESPN is lacking is Bill Weber. If they could get him, then they could truly be the "National Enquirer" of the NASCAR media world.

One more thing about ESPN's Cup coverage... Why don't they utilize Brad Dougherty more? The more I find out about this guy's history, the more I realize that he might be one of the more overlooked people in recent NASCAR history. Even though he's a former player in the National Thug Assoc (Oops! my bad; natural mistake) NBA, he has a long history as being a true gear-head. IMHO, ESPN needs to get him out from behind that desk and get him down in the pits doing interviews. It'd be good for the show and good for NASCAR's proported "Diversity Program."

[jks812]

As far as them being dirt diggers, I thought that was what the media done. But with Tony they don't have to dig for it, all they gotta do is just ask a question. I think he really makes it very easy for them to get him to say something wrong, and I think he loves it. I know he said if they had a few minutes before the mic was shoved in his face, then they'd have time to think about what they were going to say. But other drivers aren't given any more time than Tony is and most of them don't say the wrong things. I like the fact that Tony will speak his mind, most of em won't. But don't blame the media for it when you get in trouble. Now his interview's are like his racing, if something goes wrong, it's someone elses fault, not his.

[BringBackWilkesboro]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

The only thing ESPN is lacking is Bill Weber. If they could get him, then they could truly be the "National Enquirer" of the NASCAR media world.

One more thing about ESPN's Cup coverage... Why don't they utilize Brad Dougherty more? The more I find out about this guy's history, the more I realize that he might be one of the more overlooked people in recent NASCAR history. Even though he's a former player in the National Thug Assoc (Oops! my bad; natural mistake) NBA, he has a long history as being a true gear-head. IMHO, ESPN needs to get him out from behind that desk and get him down in the pits doing interviews. It'd be good for the show and good for NASCAR's proported "Diversity Program."

Hmmm... That got me thinking about Brad. All I knew about him previously was that he gave Kenny Irwin his first truck ride and won a couple races. I found out He wore #43 as a tribute to Richard Petty, His wife was a Winston Girl, and his nickname apparently is Rhubarb.

Now that's a guy that cares about the race at hand than looking force a spicey story out of somebody.