Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
When it comes to Daytona, is Tony Stewart this generation's Dale Earnhardt?
The comparisons are starting to become more obvious. Stewart is now 0-for-12 in the Daytona 500 despite winning 15 other stock-car races at the track, which is tied for the third-most all-time.
Before he finally broke through in that famous 1998 race, Earnhardt was 0-for-19 at Daytona even though he'd won a record 29 times there in other events.
At least Earnhardt's misses were often close calls. On Sunday, Stewart wasn't even in the ballpark.
Smoke was a complete non-factor in the second half of the 500, and at one time dropped as low as 31st before "rallying" (for lack of a better term) to place 22nd.
What the heck, Tony?
"It wasn't very good for us," he said afterward. "We just missed. We've missed it since we got here. I'm not sure what we missed, but we'll figure it out."
9 comments
Comments
I wonder if Tony’s non-factorness was a result of a certain someone’s jinx at picking him to win.
by jr88freak on Feb 16, 2010 10:50 AM EST reply actions
Why Rattle the Cage
Jeff, you know I like you and admire your writing, but why do you insist on rattling the cage with a piece like this? You plan to keep covering the NASCAR beat, right? Do you think this will help your already troubled relationship with Stewart? Why make things harder for yourself?
by Ron Frankl on Feb 16, 2010 11:34 AM EST reply actions
Because it's the truth...
Ron, don’t you think this is a valid point? Whether he likes it or not (and this has nothing to do with how I feel personally about Stewart), Tony is starting to get to that point where the years are going by without him winning the biggest race.
He has two championships and a bunch of wins, but not the Daytona 500.
by Jeff Gluck on Feb 16, 2010 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
Who cares if Tony gets mad. It is Jeff’s job to write what he thinks. If Tony does not like he needs to grow a thinker skin. Just keep calling them like you see them Jeff!!!!
You may be right about Tony by the way(earnhardt thing)! It will only make it sweeter when he does win.
gerie
by gladams29 on Feb 16, 2010 11:49 AM EST reply actions
Of course, Jeff has the right to write about whatever he wishes. But Gluck loses some of the right to complain the next time he asks Stewart a question in the media center and the response is less than friendly.
by Ron Frankl on Feb 16, 2010 12:33 PM EST reply actions
Thanks!
The comparison to Earnhardt is awsome but in reality Jeff you are still stinging from the comments Smoke made to the “writer” asking the dumb question about safety as per your tweets.Tony wasnt the only big name driver to not finish well. In the end the Daytona 500 pays the same points as the lousy boring a**ed race at Fontana or the fun at Watkins Glen or Indy so whats the big deal. Yeah having ones name on the Harley Earl trophy is awesome but in the points chasing atmosphere in Sprint cup it means no more or less than the other 35 races. When its Tony’s time to win the Daytona 500 he will!
As far as rattling Smoke’s cage I truly believe many of the writers like it because they get lots of free press when he bites back.
Just for giggles: Tony wasnt an a** by responding the way he did its anyone who made a big deal out of an opinion given by someone( Tony) who was asked for his opinion.
by Irene Songila Golab on Feb 16, 2010 2:57 PM EST reply actions
Give it right back to Tony Yes! hes A Prick!
by norcocheermom on Feb 16, 2010 3:01 PM EST reply actions
Like all race car drivers Tony is a bit of a baby when things don’t go his way. Most “professional athletes” are that way. THe truth is it is funny to the rest of to watch. If I was rude everytime someone asked me a “dumb” question my business would go under!!!!
gerie
PS the last green white checked really made me mad. My driver would have won if we only did that once!!!!! I am not sure I like the new rule but I am happy that Jamie won the race he seems like a great guy!!
by gladams29 on Feb 16, 2010 3:53 PM EST reply actions
Guys, maybe Tony hasn’t won the Daytona 500, but how many other two time champions are running right now? Maybe after 20 tries to win the 500, he can have 7 cups like SR.
nascarblogging
by nascarbloggingdotcom on Feb 18, 2010 11:05 PM EST reply actions
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