Stewart punches photographer following race

Posted 7:55AM on Monday 5th August 2002 ( 23 years ago )

INDIANAPOLIS - After trying his best to behave this season, Tony Stewart is in trouble again after punching a photographer. The temperamental Stewart repeatedly hit the photographer as he tried to exit Indianapolis Motor Speedway following a disappointing 12th-place finish in the Brickyard 400 on Sunday. NASCAR is investigating the incident, spokesman Jim Hunter said, and Stewart could face severe penalties from the sanctioning body. "I haven't spoken to Tony, but I'm sure he's bitterly disappointed (about the race)," car owner Joe Gibbs said. "I've never been a great athlete and had to deal with that kind of severe disappointment, so I can't speculate why he reacts the way he does." Stewart, an Indiana native who wants desperately to win a race on his home track, started from the pole and had a strong car most of the day. He was running in third when he suddenly faded over the final few laps and finished 12th. He pulled his No. 20 Pontiac into the garage, hopped out and abandoned the car next to one of the empty bays at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. As he hurriedly walked off, he swatted his hand in the air when approached from behind by a man. Gary Mook, a free-lance photographer for The Indianapolis Star, was following and Stewart broke into a trot to get away. Mook ran alongside him, and Stewart turned to him and threw several punches - connecting to Mook's chest and stomach - before he was pulled away. Mook didn't comment on the incident, but told Gibbs about it. The two talked at length next to the truck and were seen exchanging business cards. "I talked to the gentleman and I feel confident we don't have a problem there," Gibbs said. "We had a good discussion. That's all I really need to say about it." Stewart has a history of run-ins following races. He's been known to push past cameras and reporters as he hurries out of the track following disappointing performances, and was fined following an altercation at Daytona last season. After NASCAR tried to black-flag him in the 2001 Pepsi 400, Stewart had to be restrained by Gibbs and crew chief Greg Zipadelli during an argument with a NASCAR official, then slapped away a reporter's tape recorder and kicked it when the reporter tried to pick it up. He was fined $10,000 for that, had the stint of probation he was already on extended for the entire year and was ordered to publicly apologize to the reporter. But the temperamental Stewart has been on his best behavior this season, trying hard to avoid controversy. It led him to tone down his remarks, and sometimes simply refuse to speak at all. That changed this weekend during a hectic homecoming for the Columbus native. He loves this race track - he's competed in the Indianapolis 500 five times - and celebrated his return by setting a track record in qualifying for the Brickyard. So his spirits were good for most of the weekend, which he spent signing autographs, mingling with fans, commentating during the broadcast of Saturday night's Busch race and spending time with the media. When he did talk, the sometimes-surly Stewart was candid and even funny, although most of his sessions were laced with his usual brutal honesty while he complained about everything from poor racing conditions at New Hampshire International Speedway last month to the aerodynamic disadvantages he believes his car has. And even though he pulled out of Saturday's International Race of Champions event because he said the car wasn't running well, he was expected to have a special day in Sunday's Winston Cup event. Instead, it all went wrong when his car faded over the final few laps. "This place is the No. 1 place he wants to win a race and I'm sure he's bitterly disappointed," Gibbs offered. But no one could explain what happened to the Pontiac that cost them a stellar finish. "Our car just seemed to go away," Zipadelli said. "It got tighter and tighter, frustration set in and it was all over from there. We surely had at least a fourth-place car all day and I don't know what happened at the end, other than - like I said - frustration set in." The frustration has apparently spread to the team, which was expected to contend for the Winston Cup championship this season but sits seventh in the standings - 211 behind leader Sterling Marlin. "This team is up, you know what I mean? Some people are just more emotional than others," Zipadelli said. "We just try to stay steady and do the best we can and keep everybody plugging and focused and heading in the right direction.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2002/8/191689