[wingkey1]

Originally Posted by DOF_power

>
^ NASCAR will find a way to punish him on this with some over the top penalty for something totally unrelated to this in the future.

Dang DOF. There's a place for you in the very top levels of US Government.

[Team Yates]

Freedom of speech, we are in AMERICA!!

[NASCAR Gnome]

When Tony Stewart speaks, people listen! Fact is, he's not alone in his dislike of the tires but because he's literally notorious, he's head and shoulders above all the other commentators (drivers) with similar views!

For those of you who have Sirius radio, Stewart has a show tonight at 5 p.m. PST and as one of his guests, he will have on...

Mike Helton, NASCAR's head honcho!!!

From what I understand, this was a prior arrangement and had nothing to do with his comments yesterday! Should be a good one... I try and listen to him as often as I can because it's fun to peer into the mind of a champion race car driver.

[Phils20]

Originally Posted by NASCAR Gnome

When Tony Stewart speaks, people listen! Fact is, he's not alone in his dislike of the tires but because he's literally notorious, he's head and shoulders above all the other commentators (drivers) with similar views!

For those of you who have Sirius radio, Stewart has a show tonight at 5 p.m. PST and as one of his guests, he will have on...

Mike Helton, NASCAR's head honcho!!!

From what I understand, this was a prior arrangement and had nothing to do with his comments yesterday! Should be a good one... I try and listen to him as often as I can because it's fun to peer into the mind of a champion race car driver.

I'm gonna have to catch that! Or maybe catch the replay! I'm watching the Sixers/Celtics game right now, and the Cup boys on Speed @8pm ET. Which is right when that show will start!

[bob101]

I wonder why he didn't go off on NASCAR since they require Goodyear to bring the same tire for all 3 series even tho they vary by a good bit on speeds - especially thru the corner. Yet expect them to last the same amount in all 3 series....

[bears9]

Yes, Tony has freedom of speech, yes the tires were awful. But then again that is the way NASCAR works if dis the sponsors you get in trouble.

[DaytonFlyersFan]

Originally Posted by Bryan88

vincesanity82 posted this video of Tony's comments. YouTube - 2008 Atlanta Tony Stewart Angry at Goodyear!

Oh, give me a break, I am a die-hard Tony Stewart fan and I know he's said alot worse than that in the past. I do agree that it was kind of low of him to blame a tire company for him coming in 2nd place, but come on, that's just typical Tony Stewart right there- point the finger at someone else. This is the same guy who used to accuse NASCAR of manipulating races, and they're upset about a little 2 cent cheap shot comment he made about Goodyear tires? I think NASCAR should just let it go, worry about other things and not something small like this. If NASCAR actually suspends him for this, I'll be very upset. That's like crying over spilled milk. I can understand like a fine maybe, but if he gets something more serious than a fine- then that's just wrong in my opinion.

[LSC9901]

Hold on kids !!!! To this point there hasn't been any fine, penalty or suspension. They may not even care about Tony's big mouth. After all they already have a contract with Goodyear and Goodyear isn't about to pull out of this lucrative contract just because a known loudmouth once again went overboard with an opinion in the heat of the moment.

[loco4pablo]

I really think it's more a car issue then a tire issue. It didn't seem to me that there was alot of tire bashing in the other 2 series this weekend. I think Chad is right about the lack of downforce the COT has. NASCAR needs to losen it's iron fist on this COT and give the teams a little oppurtunity to create downforce. But everytime they use a bolt that is not approved they are fined 100 grand. Isn't racing about creative technology? NASCAR has taken that whole aspect out of racing with this BS COT car.
NASCAR and the media have been raving about how great these COT races have been....BS!!! What we saw in Atlanta is going to happen in all races on tracks between 1.5 to 2 miles. Sure the smaller tracks like Bristol/Mart./Dover/Darlington will be good because the tracks are small and there is always close racing on the track. Daytona/Tall. will be good because the plates keep them close.
But these tracks like Atlanta/Charl/Mich. will be a snooze fest. Just like Fontana and Vegas were. But what happens everytime??? Late race caution! Then it's what a great COT finish!

[Bryan88]

Originally Posted by LSC9901

Hold on kids !!!! To this point there hasn't been any fine, penalty or suspension. They may not even care about Tony's big mouth. After all they already have a contract with Goodyear and Goodyear isn't about to pull out of this lucrative contract just because a known loudmouth once again went overboard with an opinion in the heat of the moment.

Has Nascar even acknowledged Tony's comments? I thought it was overboard, but not worthy of any kind of points or suspension penalty. I could see a fine, considering that his comments are somewhat detrimental to Goodyear, but nothing more.

[kcoruol]

I agree with Tony.

[Bob Tanner]

I listened to Tony's show last night and he didn't back down. In fact, he expanded on his original statement. Two points which I understood him to point out:
(1) NASCAR said in their press release that they actively seek driver input into tire selection.
Total BS, says Tony. He related that, during a tire test the cars run a few laps then come in. The tire people take readings and inspect the tires. They then switch tires (either two or four) then they do it all again. THAT, asserts Mr Stewart, is the total of the "input from the drivers" they ask for.

He went on to state that last November he and other drivers ran tire tests at Atlanta. There were three different compounds that showed acceptable wear and the drivers (Tony?) felt comfortable with. Last week Goodyear showed up with a completely different tire?

(2) For three decades Goodyear has been exclusive tire supplier to NASCAR, except for the infamous "Tire Wars" late last decade. During that time there have been repeated times when Goodyear showed up with a tire which had problems. Example of the 2006 fall Charlotte race was given.
He went on to state that it is far from rare that a team will get a "bad set of tires." He states that neither of the above problems seldom, if ever, happen with Firestone.

Mike Helton was on and the subject was kind of glossed over without much being said. He only went so far as to say that NASCAR asked Goodyear to bring a competitive but safe tire?

For what it's worth my personal feeling here is: Last year, after Phoenix, Tony "took one" for the fans when he braced NASCAR on their "phantom yellow flags." Those have decreased notably in the past year.
Maybe this year Tony is "taking one" for his fellow drivers and teams?

One thing is for sure, Goodyear has had a bright light shown on them and it's uncomfortable. I see a replay of Stewart's last year's "trip to the trailer." It will never be made public but my bet is that NA__AR will smite Steward heavily if he doesn't become instantly contrite and apologize to Goodyear. It will be interesting to see how much "smiting" Tony will take.

[BiscuitMan]

Originally Posted by Bob Tanner

I listened to Tony's show last night and he didn't back down. ......

He went on to state that last November he and other drivers ran tire tests at Atlanta. There were three different compounds that showed acceptable wear and the drivers (Tony?) felt comfortable with. Last week Goodyear showed up with a completely different tire?

One thing is for sure, Goodyear has had a bright light shown on them and it's uncomfortable. I see a replay of Stewart's last year's "trip to the trailer." It will never be made public but my bet is that NASCAR will smite Steward heavily if he doesn't become instantly contrite and apologize to Goodyear. It will be interesting to see how much "smiting" Tony will take.

I think NASCAR is being flooded with comments from their fans and drivers about "logical explanations" of what's happening. The Robbie Gordon issue is one example. Now, the comments by several driver's (not just Tony Stewart) about Goodyear tires at Atlanta. The drivers have a "feel" about how the car handles and how the tires act. I don't think NASCAR or Goodyear have a better benchmark than the drivers. I even doubt if Goodyear test their tires with other drivers at all. Even Dale Jarrett has made comments that NASCAR should be listening to "feed back" from the drivers about the tires. So, maybe NASCAR will use a little logic to evaluate this situation versus keeping their boys in line.

[bobt5000]

Well I kept hearing over and over about how many drivers were complaining that the cars were "junk" !! Loose in and out of the corners no matter what they did at pit stops. Was it the COT or the tires ?? One thing's for sure (to me)...there was great potential for a lot more crashes in that race if it wasn't for the skills of more than a few drivers to keep it off the wall. The only good thing was that everyone ran the same car with the same tires. So there was a lot of driver/crew skill involved. It made for an entertaining race though.
I hope that nobody gets hurt while they sort it out.
WAIT A MINUTE....more exciting race?? more ratings?? more money for Nascar?? Hummmmmmmm

[loco4pablo]

it cracks me up when these A%& kissing announcers (DW/Larry) just marvel how great the car is and how it's a lot easier to get them back under control compared to the old car! Well..... THEY AIN'T SUPPOSE TO BE THAT OUT OF CONTROL!!!!
The COT or CON or what ever they want to call it is a peice of you know what?!?!