Started in the 26th position and by halfway was up to 6th. He was coming. With less than 100 to go during a yellow it was over. By the time the 20 car came back on the track Tony was out of contention. From 9th on the lead lap to 26th spot 3 laps down. He thought he could win and now he didn't have a chance. No, he probably wasn't mad. Anyone who believes that I have some swamp land in Florida I can sell you real cheap.

Elliott Sadler had gotten mad. Hut Stricklin got annoyed. Jimmie Johnson and Ward Burton even felt pangs of anger that night. So is it a big reach that after contact with the 44 that Tony didn't have "tude" that night as well? And worst yet, he had no one else to blame but himself. That extra trip down pit road to repair a broken oil line basically took Tony out of contention. He had no one to take his anger out on like Sadler, Stricklin or Johnson. Nobody he could throw his heat shields at like Burton did. He could blame no one.

He was the defending race champion. His worst finish in the last 3 Bristol night races was 5th. I think he believed he had a shot at the win. But I think he is a sore loser. And I think he probably did push that fan.

Lets look at it from both sides. It is only fair. Tony Stewart has had a reputation of being less than tolerant when he doesn't have a good run. Bristol he finished 24th, not good. Tony just had a much-publicized incident at Indianapolis for pushing, shoving, kicking, who knows what he actually did but he did something to a photographer that got him in all kinds of trouble. I even think he benefited from that one by being allowed to jump the restart at Watkins Glen. But that's my opinion and off the subject.

Stewart had 6 henchman by his side. Unlike Elvis, I think these guys are to protect us, not Tony. That alone says something that Tony Stewart a grown man has to be walked to his trailer. Can't leave him on his own. He is vulnerable to "personal attacks" such as this because it is believable. He has been his own worst enemy. His reputation for his temper, lack of patience and being a sore loser is all his own doing.

We expect Joe Gibbs to defend his driver. He has got to be getting tired of doing that. Got to do what he's got to do I guess? So how come we are hearing about Dale Jarrett defending Stewart? Since when do we hear what goes on in a driver's meeting? Was Jarrett one of the henchmen? Was he there? I think a Tony Stewart supporter let that one out of the bag. Jarrett needs to pick a better person to stand up and defend publicly. One that maybe some of us can even think may not be guilty. Because Dale Jarrett says it doesn't make it so. Does he have stock in Home Depot?

Now lets look at it from the fan's side. Who is she? If she is making false allegations for her 15 minutes of fame she isn't doing it right. Have we heard a name? Could she be jumping on the "pick on Tony" bandwagon since he is an easy target for abuse at the track? People will believe it because he is always getting into trouble.

What about the witness who of all people, is a police officer. Now he could be considered a questionable character. He apparently had seen what happened. I would think he has less reason to make up this latest Stewart bout then the employees in the Gibbs camp have to deny it happened. Who would you suspect is lying?

Was it too much for Tony to give a sincere apology without "attitude"? Tony the Temper apparently is a good nickname for Stewart though it is not good for the sport. It's not good for the future for fan access to areas that are considered an honor. But should one driver who is out of control ruin it for thousands of fans that want to meet their favorite drivers?

You had to know that when this latest problem with Tony Stewart came to light that the question of fans being in the driver areas during race weekends was going to become an issue. I knew it right from the start. And now we are all in jeopardy of losing the privilege of being on pit road or in the garage area.

Call me selfish but I am thinking of myself. I am a race fan. I am a race fan who has not had the privilege of a pit road visit or a stroll through the garage area. I would like to someday. But incidents like this can ruin it for the fans.

Yes you are supposed to be innocent until proven guilty in this country but when the circumstantial evidence is stacked against you, you almost have to prove yourself innocent before anyone will believe you. If you are a repeat offender it's that much harder. If you have been caught lying in the past, forget about it. Thanks Tony, because you couldn't stay out of trouble, we may pay the consequences of your actions. It just isn't fair!

- gertie