Racing Sensation

May 22, 2000

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Netgal: Are there pressures of owning an Indy car as opposed to driving at Indy?

Tony Stewart: Just making sure that you're giving the drivers as competitive of a race car as possible. It's a lot easier to go and drive, obviously, but owners worry about details like the proper amount of engines and making sure that we have the right sets of tires ready each time the cars go on the track, whereas as a driver you just worry about getting in the car and driving.

Kim914: Hi, Tony! I first want to wish you a belated happy birthday and sorry the day didn't turn out as good as you had hoped. I read recently that you were thinking of giving up racing because of fans getting in the way. I was wondering how true that was.

Tony Stewart: It's not true at all. The gentleman that wrote that article took my quotes out of context. I love all the fans, trust me, and I would not give up racing because of race fans. But sometimes it just gets busier than I am used to.

MDgirl: Happy belated 29th, Tony. Will you have any time at Dover on June 4 to sign autographs or to chat with fans ?

Tony Stewart: I don't know what our schedule is right now, but we are trying to plan some more autograph sessions at the T-shirt trailer. And thanks for the birthday wishes!

Kberly: Hi Tony! I am a new NASCAR fan because of you. I would like to know if you had no racing obligations for one week, what would you do?

Tony Stewart: It's been so long since I've had a week off I don't know what I would do right now. But it would probably be spending time with friends and family. I don't have that much time to spend with them right now, and don't see them as much as I would like.

Hd6202: How many helmets have you traded so far this year with the other drivers?

Tony Stewart: Only one so far, and it was with Dale Earnhardt. The races have been busy lately, so I haven't had the opportunity to trade with anyone else. I did talk with Elliot Sadler and we've made a deal to trade helmets, so he'll be the next one.

Bentspindle: I love the way you race. Did you mean to get your current 'bad boy' image or have you just been in the wrong place at the wrong time?

Tony Stewart: I think I'm just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I'm a free-spirited type of driver - I don't do things as everyone else does, and I like to do things my own way. I feel like I should be myself, and the nice thing is Home Depot has supported me like that - they like me just the way I am and don't want me to be anyone else. So, it lets me have more fun that way.

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