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Tony’s temper

By Times staff

© St. Petersburg Times,
published August 3, 2001

A few of Tony Stewart's notable outbursts:

• A SWING AT IRWIN: Stewart spun Kenny Irwin twice in the Oct. 3, 1999, race at Martinsville to bring out the first two cautions. Irwin finally retaliated, slamming into Stewart and also taking out Brett Bodine. After climbing out of his car, Stewart threw his heat shields at Irwin's passing car, then tried to punch Irwin through the passenger window. "It's the same thing when we ran sprint cars," said Stewart, who admitted he was to blame for spinning Irwin. "He didn't like to be behind me then, either."
• SHOVING ROBBY GORDON: Just starting his second Winston Cup season, Stewart shoved Robby Gordon after a Feb. 16, 2000, crash in practice at Daytona. Stewart told Gordon he needed to "learn how to drive Winston Cup."
• TANGLING WITH JEFF GORDON: On the second lap of the Global Crossing at the Glen on Aug. 13, 2000, Stewart and Jeff Gordon, who had won six road-course events in a row, bumped each other's cars. The damage was severe enough to keep both out of contention. "You'd better practice what you preach," Stewart shouted at Gordon as they got out of their cars. "You're always telling me to take it easy on the first lap." Gordon replied: "I'll slam you into the wall the first chance I get."
• SPINOUT AT BRISTOL: Jeff Gordon, driving hard for fourth place, spun Stewart on the last lap of this year's Food City 500 March 25 at Bristol. Stewart retaliated by spinning Gordon on pit road after the race. Stewart was fined $10,000 and placed on probation until Aug. 29.
• WHAT BLACK FLAG?: In this year's Pepsi 400 July 7 at Daytona, Stewart was charging hard late in the race when he went too low on the track and drew a black flag from NASCAR. Rather than enter the pits to answer the flag, Stewart continued to race. After the event, Stewart charged Winston Cup director Gary Nelson, then swiped a tape recorder from a reporter's hand. He drew another $10,000 fine and his probation was extended to the end of the season.

-- Compiled by Kevin Kelly and Mike Stephenson.

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