Stewart fined, placed on probation by
NASCAR
(AP) - NASCAR delivered the boom on Tony
Stewart, but it wasn't for the former champion's scathing remarks.
Stewart on Friday was fined $10,000 and placed on probation until
December 31 for failing to fulfill his post-race media obligation
following Saturday's Nextel Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway.
A two-time series champion, Stewart finished second in Saturday's Subway
Fresh Fit 500 but skipped a mandatory post-race news conference at the
media center to draw the penalties.
However, Stewart stirred up controversy three days later on his
satellite radio show when he accused NASCAR of orchestrating races
through manipulative use of caution flags.
Stewart met with NASCAR officials Friday morning at Talladega
Superspeedway and later apologized for the comments.
In spite of his complaints, Stewart has gotten off to a decent start
this season, registering two top-five finishes and five top-10s through
the first eight races. He enters Sunday's Aaron's 499 seventh in the
Nextel Cup standings, 332 points behind leader Jeff Gordon.
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