Stewart Shoves Photographer

Firetiger(MN) · August 5, 2002

INDIANAPOLIS -- Winston Cup driver Tony Stewart shoved and attempted to kick a photographer just after the conclusion of Sunday's Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, witnesses said Sunday evening.

The photographer was not named.

Stewart, who finished 12th in the race after sitting on the pole at leading 43 laps, exited his car and was jogging from his car towards the transporter lot, flanked by said photographer. As he neared a gate that separated the two lots, witnesses say Stewart shoved the photographer in the chest and attempted to kick him.

Team owner Joe Gibbs said he had a conversation with the photographer, and that the situation had been resolved.

"The only thing I can tell you is I had a good talk with the gentleman that was here that everyone was talking about, and he basically said to me there was not a problem.

"I had a good conversation with him, and that's really about all I can say about it. I don't think it was (a big deal) in talking to the gentleman."

Gibbs had not talked to Stewart, who team spokesman Mike Arning said quickly changed clothes and departed the speedway grounds.

"He was upset obviously, with the way he finished up and everything," Gibbs said.

This marks the latest temper tantrum episode for Stewart. Last year, after being black flagged late in the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, he slapped a tape recorder from a reporter's hand and kicked it under a transporter.

"I've never been a great athlete, but I would say this is probably the number one place that he wants to win a race," Gibbs said. "It's a bitter disappointment and I think when you get him in that situation, it is hard for him to even talk."

(NASCAR.com)

hogger999 · August 5, 2002

Probably uncalled for but at the same time this isn't just some 9 to 5 that gets his bills payed. It's a dream come true for Tony and he is obviously very passionate about it. It would be hard to be that upset about something and then have everyone expect you to be a walking talking commercial all the time.

August 5, 2002

Probably not the best choice he couldve made... But jeeez.... Can you imagine how annoying those guys get? I cant say whether or not Id have done the same in tony's shoes.... :sarcasm:

Z71 · August 6, 2002

I used to be a Motorsports Photographer and I have seen photographers step way over the line to get their shots. Seems to be a growing trend with reporters and photographers stepping over the lines of common sense, morality and decency just to get a story. I have witnessed news crews sticking cameras and microphones in people's faces in the most delicate of moments.

The photographer deserved it.

In the past I have shown drivers and crews the most upmost respect and have learned that they notice this and treat you with the same respect in return. I actually have a Tony Stewart example of this if anyone wants to here it. LOL

hogger999 · August 6, 2002

I actually have a Tony Stewart example of this if anyone wants to here it. LOL

Lets hear it!

You are right. In situations like this it's sensationalism at it's best. You never here what the photographer did to deserve what he got (if anything) and by the time you do, the driver (or whoever) has been painted as such a bad guy that nobody really believes them anyway.

Z71 · August 6, 2002

(My Tony Story)

This happened back when he was still running IRL. It was during an evening qualifier when I spotted him on the grid and he was about the third or fourth car to go out.

Now as mentioned earlier, I try give the drivers all the respect they deserve and need and I know that the last thing drivers want before hitting the track during an evening qualifier was to have some photographer pop a flash in their face. I had already removed my flash and loaded a different roll of film that is more suited for shooting in low light.

I kneeled down by his front tire and was going to snap off a picture of him peering over the windscreen when he motioned that the flash would bother him. I waved my hand over the top of the camera trying to sign to him that the flash was not even mounted but he motioned again and I stood up and made some kind of "Excuse me, I'm sorry" gesture and continued toward that back of the line.

I made my way down the line to the other side of pit row and it just so happened that Tony was coming off the track from his run, I walked up to him along with the TV crews and other photographers. He immediately did his television interview and upon seeing me he waved me over to him. When he finished, we talked for a quick minute and he then posed for a second for me while I got my picture. I thought it was cool that he singled me out amongst the dozens of people around him and I am sure that it was from the way I treated him.

As a general rule of thumb that I followed, my own code of conduct as it were. When using a flash I always made sure the person was aware of the flash with a quick gesture of the camera before I shot. This gave them a quick second to either turn away or wave me off. I never chased after someone that obviously didn't want me around and I always tried to be out of the way to the point where the crews and drivers barely noticied me.

In the end it payed off well with oppurtunities that other photographers never got and the chance to interact with the teams that a lot of people don't get to.

hogger999 · August 8, 2002

Well thats the last time I defend Tony Stewart. Now Tony says that the 10,000 dollar fine he was given by NASCAR was not stiff enough considering his history. He also said that he needs help controlling his angry and that he will give the photographer a formal apology. Hey Tony, where's mine?