DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (June 30, 2004) – NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series driver Tony Stewart has been fined $50,000, penalized 25 driver championship points and placed on probation until Aug. 18, resulting from a post-race altercation with fellow driver Brian Vickers last Sunday at Infineon Raceway.
In addition, Joe Gibbs, owner of the No. 20 Chevrolets driven by Stewart, has been penalized 25 car owner championship points.
Stewart was found in violation of Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Rule Book (actions detrimental to stock car racing; involved in altercation with another competitor).
"This action we've taken speaks for itself," NASCAR President Mike Helton said. "Tony Stewart is well aware of what is expected of him going forward."
In addition: Shane Wilson, crew chief for the No. 77 Dodge driven by Brendan Gaughan, has been fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Dec. 31.
He was found in violation of Section 12-4-A (actions detrimental to stock car racing) and 12-4-Q (unapproved fuel cell container modification).
I think Stewart should have been to sit at least one race since he is a repeat offender. He got off light in my opinion. Heck, Jr. was docked 25 points just for spinning his car intentionally at Bristol. Assault on other racers goes a little too far. However, nothing Nascar does seems to faze Stewart for long.
Oh well, at least I don't have to contact all those people who picked Stewart this week.
I agree that Stewart should have been parked for a race, however I disagree with the assertion with what he did was "worse" than what JR did. JR purposely affect the outcome of a race. I think the most important thing in a sport is its integrity, JR should have been dealy a harsher penalty. Its bad enough he hires drivers to help him win at the Superspeedways..........
Oh, Jr. bashing time I see. At the mere mention of his name, it's time to bust on him. Typical Gordon fans.
What do you mean he hires drivers to win at the superspeedways? The last few times they've been at superspeedways, (ie Daytona and Talladega), it's only been him and Michael Waltrip. I don't remember him hiring drivers to "help" him. They are only a 2 car team, although they are getting the #1 team back together again. I guess you're one of those conspiracy theorists that thinks he has people behind the scenes bending rules just for him. He does have the talent and engines to win on these restrictor plate tracks, not hiring half the field like Hendrick.
Well lets put it this way, Waltrip is there to, in this order A) Help DaleJR wn, B) Try and win on his own. No other driver after a race says " I glad HE won". Gordon owns Jimmie Johnsons team, you think JJ would ever say I am glad he won? I did notice you did not respond to the spinning incident. There is no reponse really, its equal to cheatingand they basically said no big deal.
First of all, in regards to the Jr. spinning thing, yeah that was wrong, but he was just stupid because he should have kept his mouth shut. You can't honestly tell me no other driver had purposely caused a caution, because that's bull. I hear Darrell Waltrip talk about back in the day how drivers used to throw stuff on the track to cause cautions. I was just bringing that up because I think what Stewart did was a lot worse, and he's constantly getting into more and more trouble.
And obviously you don't know much about Waltrip and Jr, because there has been quite a few times when Jr's team has gotten ****ed off at Waltrip's team because they weren't acting as teammates. the last incident was in the Gatorade 125's this year.
And I heave heard Johnson happy that Gordon won or got the pole. Big deal, they are teammates, they should be happy for one another. Same goes for Waltrip and Jr.
Of course I just started about Stewart's fine and it got turned into a Jr. - Gordon debate, so I will just end it there.
jr. / waltrip......i agree with the prez whole-heartedly on this...........
oh wait Stewart, yeah i forgot .............why was he penalized so much when virtually nothing happened to Kenseth/Harvick for their fiasco the other week?????????
in my opinion, Kenseth and Mcmurray have been the dirtiest players this year consistantly...go back and watch your tapes...youll see when someone else is blamed, they were there doing the deed....(i like both drivers, im not bashing here, just stating facts)
oh, and Stewart has helped Jr. more on the superspeedways than any other driver lately...and umm, he works for the coach.
