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After late slide, Stewart goes after photographer

INDIANAPOLIS -- Upset with another disappointing finish at his home track, Tony Stewart took several swings at a photographer after the Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Stewart, who finished 12th after being in fourth late, left the garage without talking to reporters, leaving crew chief Greg Zipadelli and team owner Joe Gibbs to mend fences with disgusted team members and the shaken photographer.

"I talked to the gentleman, and I feel confident we don't have a problem there," Gibbs said. "We had a good discussion."

The photographer declined to identify himself.

NASCAR officials said they were gathering information on the incident.

Last year, Stewart was in contention until crashing with 23 laps left. He also has led 122 laps in five Indianapolis 500s without winning, twice being taken out by engine trouble.

According to the Associated Press, Stewart climbed out of the No.20 Pontiac and walked away hurriedly, waving his hand at a man who approached him from behind.

Stewart began to trot, and the photographer ran alongside. Stewart turned and took several swings at him before being pulled away and running from the garage area.

Stewart, who grew up in nearby Columbus, Ind., spent most of the 2001 season on probation because of his temper. He rammed Jeff Gordon's car after the spring race at Bristol. After the Pepsi 400 at Daytona, he slapped a tape recorder out of a reporter's hand and lunged at former Winston Cup director Gary Nelson.

This season, Stewart has withdrawn from the media to avoid conflicts. But at Indy, where Stewart said he believes the pressure of family, friends and his childhood dreams of winning at the historic speedway, emotions boiled over.

"I would say this is the No.1 place he wants to win a race," Gibbs said. "It's a bitter disappointment, and it's hard for him to even talk. Sometimes, he says things he wished he hadn't said. We've told him, 'Tony, the best thing might be to not say anything."'

Stewart started Sunday's race from the pole, led 43 laps and ran among the top five for most of the day. He was fourth for a restart with four laps left but fell back eight positions.

"We surely had at least a fourth-place car all day," Zipadelli said. "I don't know what happened at the end other than frustration set in. It's just too bad. Everybody on the (team) worked hard. We had a good car."

Gibbs said he has not lost patience with his talented but volatile driver.

"I think (Sunday) was a bitter thing for him," he said. "Tony, the day after, is probably the best guy in the world for, if he feels like he made a mistake, saying he's sorry. This year, we've worked real hard on some things. It's a work in progress, and he knows he needs to control himself."

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