Tony Stewart tries desperately to be controversial again.

[JHamilton]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

Don't get me wrong, I am all for outspoken views. But there is a difference between a spontaneous view and a pre-prepared 'look at me' charade.

For gods sake, after Texas last year he was whining about quitting the sport because he spun or something.

Re: Goodyear in F1. Their last season was 1998 in which their top team was Ferrari. Bridgestone had their top team McLaren and won the title. Goodyear started the year behind the 8-Ball, but they clawed back the ground (and more) and nearly sneaked the titles. This despite starting the season after announcing they would be pulling out.

If anyone doubts Goodyear's commitment, they are way off the mark. Have they got the right tyre for the car yet? Probably not! Are they perfect? Nope! But they can do the job.

I agree with this and thank y'all for the info on Goodyear in F1 as I started watching in '98. However, I think Goodyear does a good job, but maybe not the best.

Here is what I think is happening... There is no in-between of Nascar personalities. You have the guys who always fall in line and the guys who are over the top. I believe the huge sponsor obligations, media pressure, etc., have beaten the personality out of some guys and therefore ones who do voice their opinion have to make their point in such grand fashion or it falls on deaf ears. I have a tendency to stick up for the "whiners" as they generally appear not to have submitted completely to the Nascar brainwash.

[Knowlesy]

One thing I think we can agree on, it is good to have the mixture of good and bad, hero and villain.

It is what makes sport.

[fieldodreams79]

10-4.
CLEAR HIGH!

[muggle not]

Originally Posted by Knowlesy

One thing I think we can agree on, it is good to have the mixture of good and bad, hero and villain.

It is what makes sport.

Good - Jr and Jeff G.
Hero - Jr and Jeff G.

Bad- fill in amother name
Villain - fill in another name

[muggle not]

And, we hear from another driver.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?...v=ap&type=lgns
Dale Jarrett urges Goodyear to listen to Tony Stewart’s tire complaints

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP)—Dale Jarrett on Tuesday called on Goodyear to listen carefully to Tony Stewart’s complaints about the tires the company has produced this season.

Although some drivers believe Stewart went overboard in his criticism of Goodyear following Sunday’s race in Atlanta, Jarrett said the manufacturer needs to start constructing a better tire for Sprint Cup racing.

“I have no problem with what Tony Stewart said. I’m a huge supporter of Goodyear and all that they have done over the years, but somebody needs to wake up right now and listen to these guys,” said Jarrett, the former series champion who is retiring following Sunday’s race in Bristol, Tenn.

“We’re talking about race drivers that have a huge amount of talent and very seldom complain about things like that.”


Stewart was livid with Goodyear all last weekend, when he complained about a lack of grip on the hard tires the company sent to Atlanta. Following his second-place finish, the two-time series champion said Goodyear gave him “the most pathetic racing tire I’ve ever been on in my professional career.”
Goodyear has staunchly defended its product. But Tuesday, Texas Motor Speedway officials said Goodyear will not bring the Atlanta tire to its track for next month’s race.

Atlanta and Texas are essentially sister tracks with identical layouts and the same 24 degree banking in the corners.

read on.................................

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by muggle not

And, we hear from another driver.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/news?...v=ap&type=lgns
Dale Jarrett urges Goodyear to listen to Tony Stewart’s tire complaints

read on.................................

yeah this is starting to be a little much, but it is obvious there are issues that the drivers have with the tire.

one thing that i think that must be said, the COT (drivers, crews and fans, like it or not) has produced good racing at tracks that usually are a bore. the track that has produced GREAT racing consistantly in years past, was the bore so far this year. tires? it was boring racing but fun "car control" watching.

i guess i'm get a little hot because they have been grumbling about taking a date from ATL, and this past weekend is now adding fuel to that fire.

[muggle not]

We now have 3 of the great drivers in Nascar, Tony, Jeff, and Dale that have made strong complaints about the tires. I would hope that helton comes down from that high horse and listens to them. The COT obviously requires different tires than Nationwide and the Trucks. Brian France was worried last year because the attendance was down. If they continue to screw up the racing like they did at Atlanta, shame on them.

[davyboy]

Originally Posted by muggle not

We now have 3 of the great drivers in Nascar, Tony, Jeff, and Dale that have made strong complaints about the tires. I would hope that helton comes down from that high horse and listens to them. The COT obviously requires different tires than Nationwide and the Trucks. Brian France was worried last year because the attendance was down. If they continue to screw up the racing like they did at Atlanta, shame on them.

The tyre could be better suited to the COT and its no surprise that the drivers are complaining. Goodyear will improve it, I'm sure they've been working on that already. I think the point of this thread was the nature of Tony Stewart's comments. If I didn't know better, he appeared to be sensationalizing the situation which got him a lot of attention and press coverage... more than the race winner in actual fact.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by davyboy

The tyre could be better suited to the COT and its no surprise that the drivers are complaining. Goodyear will improve it, I'm sure they've been working on that already. I think the point of this thread was the nature of Tony Stewart's comments. If I didn't know better, he appeared to be sensationalizing the situation which got him a lot of attention and press coverage... more than the race winner in actual fact.

tony's "tantrum" started because of the tires and we have progressed into why he threw it, if there is any merit to his whines. it's bad when you have the best race of the year after having the worst and the only thing you have to say is about it is in reference to the tires.

as for what he said how he said and when said and why, is anyone really that surprised?

[davyboy]

Its true, his tantrum has overshadowed a really good race. It seems that NASCAR's now suffering 'tabloidism' where the off-track goings on are getting more attention and press than what happens on track. If its not a Roush oil tank cover, its Robbie Gordon buying points back or Tony's rant.

Hopefully all this garbage will get put where it belongs and we'll have a humdinger of a race at Bristol.

[fieldodreams79]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Its true, his tantrum has overshadowed a really good race. It seems that NASCAR's now suffering 'tabloidism' where the off-track goings on are getting more attention and press than what happens on track. If its not a Roush oil tank cover, its Robbie Gordon buying points back or Tony's rant.

sometimes, stockcar drivers can be a fasinating off as on the track, but i agree, it distracts from the racing.

Originally Posted by davyboy

Hopefully all this garbage will get put where it belongs and we'll have a humdinger of a race at Bristol.

usually do, but there will mos def be on track 'tabloidisms' that may flow off track.

[muggle not]

Originally Posted by davyboy

Its true, his tantrum has overshadowed a really good race. It seems that NASCAR's now suffering 'tabloidism' where the off-track goings on are getting more attention and press than what happens on track. If its not a Roush oil tank cover, its Robbie Gordon buying points back or Tony's rant.

Hopefully all this garbage will get put where it belongs and we'll have a humdinger of a race at Bristol.

I do a "Rate The Race" topic, have been doing it for years, on another forum and the overall opinion on the Atlanta race on a scale of 1 to 10 was about 6.5. Most thought the race was not near as good as previous years. Last year the rating on Bristol was about 7. Bristol normally gets a 9 or 10. The thought was the new paving had hurt the track. Hopefully, this year will be better.

Even Jr stated that he thought the atlanta race was not all that exciting, that they couldn't run side by side or they would wreck.

Tony went overboard and I agree with knowlesy. However, in general I have no problem when there is a problem and the drivers speak out. In fact I appreciate hearing from them.

[Knowlesy]

I enjoyed the race I must say.

It lacked the side-by-side of previous years for sure, but the drivers were challenged.

It depends what you look for in a race. I look for driver challenge and good racing, either or both is fine. This is why I have found it more and more difficult to get my kicks from F1 in recent years.

So I enjoyed the sliding, but I can understand why some were unimpressed.

[muggle not]

A little more on the issue as I read the morning paper :

http://www.news-record.com/apps/pbcs...TAFF/803130308

Tony Stewart is in NASCAR's ear
By Dustin Long
Staff Writer
Thursday, Mar. 13, 2008 3:00 am

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Tony Stewart doesn't need the hassle and doesn't want the job. Too bad. He might be the best man to lead the NASCAR Sprint Cup garage, a role vacated since Dale Earnhardt's death.

Say what you want about Stewart's acid tongue, but his words breed action.

Stewart's critical comments about Goodyear and its tires last weekend -- along with complaints from other drivers -- have the company reevaluating its work. Changes might not come immediately, but don't be surprised if Goodyear soon provides a tire that drivers like more. If that happens, then Stewart's attack will have proved worthwhile. So he sees it.

"Did it hurt the company?" Stewart said Wednesday about his comments ripping Goodyear. "I'm sure it probably did. That wasn't our intention necessarily, but I don't want to sit here for the next 30 weeks of the season and ride around on a tire like I rode around on last Sunday. That's not my idea of a good time.

"So if you've got to speak with a loud voice to get somebody's attention, if that's what it takes to get something done, then that's what you've got to do."

No doubt Stewart's comments crossed the line. He said after the race he planned to go home and take the Goodyears off all his personal vehicles to feel safe. Yet he and Dale Jarrett both said this week that drivers had been talking to Goodyear for some time trying to get a better tire.

"There's a lot of issues that we've talked about with them that, still in my opinion, have never been resolved," Stewart said of Goodyear. "It's, like, when is it going to get resolved?"

Stewart decided after 325 laps of slipping and sliding Sunday it was time for action. He unleashed an attack on the series' tire supplier rarely seen, questioning if Goodyear had smart enough people to build a proper tire for the Cup series.

Sometimes in this PC-conscious world, a spicy rant is needed to get the point across. His style has worked before:

l Stewart complained about bump drafting at Daytona in 2006, saying "we're going to kill somebody" unless NASCAR changed its rules. Two days later, series officials announced they would penalize excessive bump drafting.

l Stewart questioned the sport's integrity, likening it to pro wrestling, as he grumbled about questionable debris cautions early last season. Coincidence or not, debris cautions declined the rest of the season.

Stewart is a powerful voice not only because he's a two-time Cup champion but because he runs a short track and owns sprint and midget car teams. He sees multiple sides of issues.

Stewart downplays that, saying he's not any more important than any other driver.

"I don't care whether you've won eight championships, four championships, zero championships or zero races, if you're a competitor and you're in that field, your opinion should mean just as much as anybody in that field," he said while at Martinsville Speedway to promote this month's Cup race.

Maybe so, but people listen to him. Even if they can't help it from the yelling.

Earnhardt didn't holler, but his voice was heard. He was viewed as the garage's unquestioned leader. Earnhardt barked at NASCAR over issues. Competitors knew when he left the track during a rain delay that the race was over even if NASCAR hadn't yet made the announcement. Even his death sparked a safety revolution.

Since his passing, no one in the garage has taken that role. Jeff Burton has been a leader in safety. So have Bobby Labonte and Jeff Gordon, but more behind the scenes. Jarrett served as the sport's caretaker. Dale Earnhardt Jr., the sport's most popular driver, has said he never has felt comfortable as the leader, lacking a Cup title.

Stewart has the mouth and the fire to challenge authority when others won't as loudly. He's not right in every case, but when it's time to yell and scream, no one is better.

He's not going to keep quiet on this issue.

"I firmly believe we had a fiasco last weekend on the tire side," Stewart said. "I believe that this is a cause that's worth fighting for."

[Sparky7]

The squeaky wheel gets the grease.

[kelvin88]

As i recall, the person that was penalised for excessive bump drafting in 2006 was Smoke!

[Knowlesy]

That's where my beef with Smoke really started to be honest, Daytona 2006.

Having spent all week moaning about dangerous driving standards and bump drafting, he then tried to kill Matt Kenseth in the 500!

[Jacko44]

My beef with Stewart started just before that in the Bud Shootout, his comments were completely unnecesary about someone going to die at either of the restrictor plate tracks.

The shootout is a non-points event so of course people are gonna go at it harder than they normally do because points, a championship and their jobs wouldn't be on the line.

Then his tiff with Matt Kenseth just made me go past boiling point..... Wally, Bill and Benny all agreed while commentating that he was just choking on his own words.

And... Big Shock... He is now apologising about his tyre comments at Atlanta:

http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#meet

Go to "TONY STEWART MEETS WITH GOODYEAR'S STU GRANT AT BRISTOL"

[Sparky7]

Originally Posted by Jacko44

My beef with Stewart started just before that in the Bud Shootout, his comments were completely unnecesary about someone going to die at either of the restrictor plate tracks.

The shootout is a non-points event so of course people are gonna go at it harder than they normally do because points, a championship and their jobs wouldn't be on the line.

Then his tiff with Matt Kenseth just made me go past boiling point..... Wally, Bill and Benny all agreed while commentating that he was just choking on his own words.

And... Big Shock... He is now apologising about his tyre comments at Atlanta:

http://www.jayski.com/cupnews.htm#meet

Go to "TONY STEWART MEETS WITH GOODYEAR'S STU GRANT AT BRISTOL"

Not exactly. Here's who Tony apologized to and he was right to do it for the reasons he detailed. He did not back off on his criticism of the powers-that-be at Goodyear.

I want to apologize to the people who work in the factories and the union workers at Goodyear. We realize that they're working hard just like everybody else, and we realize that Goodyear as a whole works hard too. But our comments last week were not meant to offend those people, because they're not the ones making the decisions about the racing tires we use here at the track.

[kelvin88]

Sorry to give this a bump but i got this story this morning and it did make me chuckle!

"Tony Stewart doesn’t think much of the job Goodyear is doing in NASCAR, and A.J. Foyt is no fan of Firestone’s performance in the Indy Racing League. Asked before Saturday night’s Gainsco Indy 300 what he thought of Stewart’s rant about Goodyear a few weeks ago after NASCAR’s Atlanta race, Foyt took aim at the IRL’s tire supplier.

“Firestone’s just as bad,” he said. “We’ve got junk for tires. They’ve got one heat cycle, and they screwed us up the other day for qualifying; they fall off two or three tenths.”
Foyt, who will compete in next weekend’s Honda Grand Prix of St. Petersburg as a team owner for Darren Manning, was a Goodyear driver through much of his legendary racing career. Arch-rival Mario Andretti ran on Firestones. Stewart raced Firestones in the IRL when both tire companies were in the league. “I have no love for Firestone, they have no love for me,” Foyt said, adding that the tires made by Bridgestone Firestone in Japan are “a lot better” than those built domestically."

Quoted from A.R.S.com