Down for the Count
I've always liked Stewart, event though he has been a hothead at times, he's a consummate race driver. He's one of the best in the business, a true competitor that can and does, race anything on wheels. I still like him as a race driver, but I feel that something needs to be done to keep him in check. Apparently the anger management sessions he went through last season didn't sink in very far.
Speaking of last season, it should also be noted that Stewart's car sponsor on the Joe Gibbs Racing's #20 Chevy may have something to say about this latest debacle. Last season when Stewart was in hot water for shoving the photographer, his sponsor Home Depot, declared that they would have no part of Stewart's erratic behavior. It was Home Depot who required Stewart to take the anger management classes. Home Depot put Stewart and Joe Gibbs Racing on notice that its future involvement in the team's sponsorship hinged on Stewart's behavior. Home Depot has stated that it requires a clean cut wholesome representation of its company on the NASCAR racing circuit. Tony Stewart has not represented Home Depot in this fashion.
I hate to say it, but I'm one of the fans who voted in the NASCAR.com poll for Stewart's suspension. They suspended Jimmy Spencer for poking Kurt Busch in the nose while Busch was still strapped in his racecar, and they should also suspend Stewart for that same type of behavior. They should make Stewart sit out a race, which would cost him valuable driver's points and also his cut of the race purse money for his finishing position.
At this time, Stewart is fifth in driver's points, and appears to be a shoo-in for the upcoming Chase for the Championship competition. Missing an event would drop him down towards the end of the top ten list where some bad luck could easily take him out of contention. All it takes is a couple of engine failures or a blown tire at the wrong place on the track to take a driver out of the top ten.
Check back here later on this week for an update on NASCAR's decision on Stewart's punishment. It may even be released today. NASCAR's top official, Brian France, has stated publicly that Stewart's behavior will not be tolerated, and odds are that a suspension for the
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