Gotcha! Tony Stewart defends Kurt Busch’s comments

Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on June 2, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. (June 1, 2012 - Source: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images North America)
Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Mobil 1/Office Depot Chevrolet, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series FedEx 400 benefiting Autism Speaks at Dover International Speedway on June 2, 2012 in Dover, Delaware. (June 1, 2012 - Source: Todd Warshaw/Getty Images North America)

Like him or not Tony Stewart is a three time NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and is one of the most popular drivers in the sport. He is also a supporter of Kurt Busch’s recent comments directed to Bob Pockrass.

Pockrass asked Busch about racing Justin Allgaier for position and what probation refrained him from doing. Busch responded “It refrains me from not the (expletive) out of you right now because you ask me stupid questions. But since I’m on probation, I suppose that’s improper to say as well. If you could talk about racing things, we could talk about racing things, Bob.”

After Pockrass responded, “This is racing,” Busch replied, “It’s not racing. You’re in this just to start stuff. That’s all you’re out here for.”

NASCAR acted quickly and suspended Busch for the Pocono race weekend. He’s set to meet with Phoenix Racing owner James Finch on Tuesday so the two can talk about his future status with the team.

Never one to shy away from controversy Stewart spoke on Sirius Radio last night that he liked the answer from Kurt Busch.

“I kind of thought it was good when it pertains to Bob Pockrass. Bob’s a decent guy. But there’s just so many good things to write about in our sport. There’s a couple of reporters that strictly want to be tabloid journalists. Unfortunately, he’s one of them.”

Stewart hosts the Prelude to the Dream on Wednesday night at Eldora Speedway, a track he owns. The event is a dirt race which features stars from across motorsports. One of the drivers scheduled to be at the event is Kurt Busch.

“Sad but true: Kurt is right,” Stewart said. “Bob Pockrass is probably the biggest mixer in the whole media center. Every time he interviews somebody, it is strictly about something controversial.”

Stewart is also known for his tepid media relations. Stewart’s weekly interviews are often short and to the point with a bit of sarcasm mixed in. He’s also been fined in the past for striking a camera man.

Make no mistake about it. Stewart is no fan of the what he calls gotcha journalism which he says is what Pockrass spends his time doing every week.

“The problem is he’s also the first one that anytime anything controversial comes up, he’s the first one to ask a question. People cringe when he comes up. You know it’s about whatever the controversial topic of the week is. It’s gotcha journalism.”

Busch signed a one year deal to drive for Phoenix Racing this year. He is widely considered the biggest free agent on the market for 2013 if he can learn to control his temper.

John Boarman
John Boarmanhttp://www.tireball.com
Founder and Owner of Tireball Sports.

4 COMMENTS

  1. I guess from a drivers standpoint Pockrass could be considered a bad reporter. He has a bad habit of trying to provide his readers with insight into how a drivers mind ticks while risking his life at 200mph. More than any other sport, (a possible exception being Bull Fighting) fans are facinated by the athletes ability to perform in a sport where death or destruction seem so close at hand at any moment. Most of us can picture ourselves hitting or catching or throwing a ball, but not the death defying antics of a Nascar Cup driver.
    Stewart, more than any other driver, shares Kurt’s penchant for bullying anyone he thinks is weaker than him. Stewart’s saving grace is that he is a very compicated man with a ton of positive qualities going for him and therefore can be forgiven when his “bad little boy” makes an appearance. Kurt, on the other hand, has so far not been successful at showing the public that he warrants forgiveness. Stewart may have defended Kurt’s recent choise of targets but he also recently told the press that Kurt has some personal issues that need to be addressed before Kurt can begin acting in a more acceptable manner.

  2. I would also like to add that drivers like kurt are what i like about nascar racing not the whimpy do what they are told #$%^ kind. so if his owner dosnt keep him for his term i will not participate in any thing nascar again.

  3. I have been watching Nascar sports since 84. And I am totally bummed out with nascar right now! Whatever happened to every man for himself, fistfights on the track, Hell drivers are afraid to point at each other anymore! Remember when Ironhead used to wave at Darrell (lol)? Doorbangin and cussin each other was just part of it. I don’t like the team racing either! Why can’t you be man enough to win on your own without help? I’ll quit my bitchin now but its true. Nascar you’re gonna end up runnin off the fans, then what?

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