[kcoruol]

I thoughts the medics were going to have to be called, he was still in his car, his eyes were bugging out and it seemed as if he was tripping on something.

He really should have been taken to the nearest medical facility and checked out. He has gained some weight, he complains about the heat in the car a lot, he could be on medications, or a combination of all 3.

Seriously I'm not trying to just slam the guy with this thread, he just didn't look like he was doing too good physically after the race. I'll admit he's not my favorite driver though I'm beginning to like him more now than I have before, especially after watching Eldora (sp).

[Fireball]

The interview I saw on TNT was during the red flag. The race was no over at that point. You're right, Tony looked beat from the heat.

I assumed that he didn't want to get out of the car and then have to get back in if the rain passed over.

A lot of drivers like to get out and stretch during red flags. Others don't.

The interviewer (who ever he was) commented that Tony had been under the weather and feeling badly prior to the race. It was evident he was extremely tired.

[wingkey1]

Beginning to wonder if perhaps 'ole TS is't approaching the - "Stick a fork in him" point.

Would leave us not happy in that we feel we ("I" for those concerned over the mouse) never really got the full look at all he could do at the Cup level. Not that any should feel baaaaaaa---d (there it happened again!) for TS because he is well set to enjoy himself elsewhere.

Physically he repeatedly (and he has admitted it) shows unpreparedness for the demand of Cup length events. The expressed Indy dream is becoming near laughable, until perhaps they start racing something closer is size to bath tubs.

Emotionally - no need belaboring on that so obvious. Again, he self admits to struggles.

Siriously - he has chosen to team under a banner with Howard Stern. And he's actually starting to sound similarly credible - talk just cause the contract says he must in order to get paid, integrity be danged.

Surprisingly - there is no "Please stay (or similar support) Tony" from Toyo, Gibbs, Home Depot, Zippy, team mates, Harvick, more. Telling? Somethings up.

Does not appear we will ever see what this one may have been able to accomplish in/at Cup. On the other hand, it would be selfish to come across as slamming him for not giving what I/we want and not wishing the best for him.

Would love to see him focus for perhaps 3 - 5 years. Really think the Rushville Rocket could really Smoke. Likely ain't gonna happen.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by wingkey1

Beginning to wonder if perhaps 'ole TS is't approaching the - "Stick a fork in him" point.

Would leave us not happy in that we feel we ("I" for those concerned over the mouse) never really got the full look at all he could do at the Cup level. Not that any should feel baaaaaaa---d (there it happened again!) for TS because he is well set to enjoy himself elsewhere.

Physically he repeatedly (and he has admitted it) shows unpreparedness for the demand of Cup length events. The expressed Indy dream is becoming near laughable, until perhaps they start racing something closer is size to bath tubs.

Emotionally - no need belaboring on that so obvious. Again, he self admits to struggles.

Siriously - he has chosen to team under a banner with Howard Stern. And he's actually starting to sound similarly credible - talk just cause the contract says he must in order to get paid, integrity be danged.

Surprisingly - there is no "Please stay (or similar support) Tony" from Toyo, Gibbs, Home Depot, Zippy, team mates, Harvick, more. Telling? Somethings up.

Does not appear we will ever see what this one may have been able to accomplish in/at Cup. On the other hand, it would be selfish to come across as slamming him for not giving what I/we want and not wishing the best for him.

Would love to see him focus for perhaps 3 - 5 years. Really think the Rushville Rocket could really Smoke. Likely ain't gonna happen.

I think you're dead on. Smoke's got too much going on and it appears his focus is beginning to turn away from the steering wheel...

[LSC9901]

The impression I got from watching that interview was that he was beat up mentally. That could be coming from all directions. It seemed like he wanted to make very sure he didn't say anything antagonistic. Kind of wonder if all the talking from NASCAR, probably Gibbs, Home Depot, Zippy and anyone else has just taken its toll on him wanting to do interviews any longer.

[toptixnow]

Too bad he's not as healthy as he should be.

[kcoruol]

Once he got talking he seemed ok, it was when he first took off his helmet, he looked like he didn't even know where he was.

[DOF_power]

Originally Posted by Racer Duck

I think you're dead on. Smoke's got too much going on and it appears his focus is beginning to turn away from the steering wheel...

Unfortunately I agree with you.

[Phils20]

I think he is just worn out from the drama.

Number one, he does need to get some sort of fitness deal going. Hopefully he wakes up to that. It's never too late to get out and run, eat right, and maybe even lift some weights!

Mark Martin started later on in life, Tony sure can.

I think Tony has too much pride to let this go on. He will right the ship.

As far as quitting any time soon, not gonna happen.

He will be driving another 10 years. Bank on it.

Maybe not NASCAR, but he will drive 10 years.

[Racer Duck]

Originally Posted by Phils20

I think he is just worn out from the drama.

Number one, he does need to get some sort of fitness deal going. Hopefully he wakes up to that. It's never too late to get out and run, eat right, and maybe even lift some weights!

Mark Martin started later on in life, Tony sure can.

I think Tony has too much pride to let this go on. He will right the ship.

As far as quitting any time soon, not gonna happen.

He will be driving another 10 years. Bank on it.

Maybe not NASCAR, but he will drive 10 years.

yep .. has his own track and his own cars, he's financially set for life .. what else does he need but the time and the "want to" to do it?

[jks812]

Between the drama of what he's going to do, everybody talking about how good Kyle's doing and Tony can't get it done now, and the fact that he does seem to be alittle out of shape, and how Nascar shuts him down and crawls all over him everytime he opens his mouth; who can blame him for maybe just not having much fun right now. But it does look like it's all starting to take it's toll on him.

[Racer Duck]

On a related topic.

Unless you've been there, no one knows the physical and mental exhaustion these drivers have when they finally park the car after a race. Usually they have time to compose themselves before people start sticking their head in the window and microphones in their faces. That's the part of racing I absolutely hate - the lack of respect paid these athletes.

I've been watching the Olympic trials and the same thing holds true there: these people don't even have time to catch their breath before a camera and microphone is shoved in their face and they're expected to carry on a lucid conversation with an interviewer.

That's why I think F1 and the other organizations that have similar designated post race media times have the right idea: no on-track post race interviews - give the competitors a chance to catch their breath, re-hydrate and congratulate their team before asking questions. It's certainly not as sensational, but you get better thought out and more coherent answers.

[Phils20]

I agree comletley.

Some would say no to that, the tradion being that access has always been granted.

But the pressue has never been on these guys like it is now.

Other than the winner, I would be in support of at least a 20-30 minute cool down period.

That won't be a popular idea, but I think it's needed!

[wingkey1]

Wonder if perhaps "things" really got overwhelming for 'ole TS when/since he trashed his mojo?

Ya can't monkey around with stuff like that and remain normal.

[SteelPhoenyx]

Tony looked ill and exhausted. Like he should have been in bed resting, not racing. The guy interviewing him said he had been fighting something. Probably didn't want to get out because if he did he wouldn't have been able to get back in.

Regarding his weight... he had really trimmed down at the beginning of the 07 season, but it crept back up. Don't know what he had done to take the weight off, but I know from experience that if you don't incorporate a lifestyle change with it and revert to your pre weight loss habits, the weight's gonna come back.

And as physically taxing as racing is, being out of shape in this sport is not a good idea anymore. Wrestling a 200 mph brick in a 150° car is bound to take its toll on even the most fit. Ever spend a few hours doing something in extreme heat? I'm not just talking a HOT summer day, but combining that heat with doing something even hotter. It utterly drains you. If you're sick, its even worse.

I hope he figures all this out soon and does something about it.