Here’s what you want, a true behind-the-scenes look at the personality of a NASCAR driver. But then, the driver in question being Tony Stewart, you probably won’t be all that enlightened. His dry sense of humor and love-hate relationship with the reporters who cover the sport are well-documented. But it’s always interesting to see. Here he is schmoozing with reporters (right in front of The Tampa Tribune work station, actually) after his formal news conference following his victory in the Camping World 300. That’s how it ended. Here’s how it began, after NASCAR’s Herb Branham lobbed the obligatory news conference opener: “Congratulations, guys. Great race. Tony, Dave [Rogers, Stewart’s Nationwide crew chief], to start off, give us a quick idea about the race today, how it went.”
Said Stewart, with a hang-dog expression:
“It was terrible. Especially the outcome. We just hate this when we have to win races and stuff. Then you got to take pictures, all that. I hate taking a trophy home. It’s miserable. It’s just a lot easier if you get wrecked in the first 20 laps, beat the traffic back, get a shower, kick back and watch the end of the race on TV. It’s much more comfortable. Not near as hot. You don’t get sticky with all that stuff they pour on you in Victory Lane. Other than that, it’s pretty cool.”
He said it all with a smile.