Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
An Australian racing web site is reporting that Tony Stewart is being held for questioning by police in Australia after an alleged incident at Sydney Speedway, though Stewart's representative told SB Nation that the driver is resting in his hotel.
The site SpeedCafe said Stewart, who has been racing in Australia during NASCAR's offseason, may have been upset about the track conditions and confronted speedway co-owner Brett Morris.
The report says "a helmet and punches were rumored to be thrown and exchanged during the alleged altercation" and that police are involved in the investigation:
Staff at Parramatta Police Station confirmed to Speedcafe.com.au this morning at 12.49am (AEDST) that Stewart was being held for questioning, but indicated that nothing could be confirmed about the incident until later today –including whether Stewart had been officially charged or whether similar charges were being pursued by Stewart against Morris.
"We're attempting to gather whatever information we can get our hands on in an effort to separate fact from fiction," Stewart's public relations representative Mike Arning told SB Nation via e-mail Saturday. "However, we can say that Tony Stewart is not being held anywhere and is resting in his hotel in Australia.
"While we have spoken with him, he's still half a world away, so figuring out what did or didn't happen is going to take some time."
Stewart was reportedly supposed to depart Australia later today, the site said, but that may be in jeopardy now. An e-mail request for comment from Sydney Speedway officials was not immediately returned.
This wouldn't be the first time Stewart has gotten involved in an off-track incident with an official. In July 2008, an infuriated Stewart pulled off the headset of one official and shoved another at O'Reilly Raceway Park near Indianapolis (though nothing ever came of that incident, which was caught on camera).
7 comments
Comments
Is it about the money?
I noticed they made a point of mentioning how much money he has made. The articles from last year’s visit also made a big deal about money. Not that I would be surprised or disappointed if he popped some loser down under but I have to wonder if he would be held for questioning if he was some poor guy nobody had ever heard of. Sounds like he needs to find a new place to race in the off season.
by LeelaB on Jan 15, 2011 11:39 AM EST reply actions
It wasn’t a loser. People who were there say he confronted the track owner & was escorted off the property before the next heat, which he missed & thus missed the race.
by DRLDeBoer on Jan 15, 2011 12:04 PM EST reply actions
Poor choice of words on my part. Still, it seems like the stories from last year and this year were too focused on how much money he has made throughout his career. Did the track owner call the police? Any publicity is good publicity? Or was the incident blown out of proportion by local media to the great chagrin of both Morris and Stewart?
by LeelaB on Jan 15, 2011 12:26 PM EST up reply actions
About that, no idea, when you race alot & win alot you make alot of money LOL
by DRLDeBoer on Jan 15, 2011 1:20 PM EST up reply actions
I’m pretty sure he means that if Stewart were just some random guy at a racetrack who got in an altercation with someone, there would be no questioning or investigation. Suggesting maybe they are doing this because of his celebrity and not for justice.
by Robbie Burns on Jan 15, 2011 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
Tony, Tony, Tony...
Gotta love the dude. He has an issue and he brings it up! Aren’t too many NASCAR drivers these days, that would go to that extreme to ‘make their point’. ;)
by Dusty1215 on Jan 16, 2011 12:38 AM EST reply actions
Another fight reported
Same AU website says a similar fight between 2 other teams AU & US occurred, but no arrests reported, so I would have to agree that it’s looking like Tony was arrested because of his “celebrity”. I definitely think there was overreaction by the police, it’s my understanding he & the other guy Morris are friends, and that Tony was upset about track conditions. It’s not like he doesn’t know what he’s talking about and who hasn’t had a disagreement with a friend before!!
by DRLDeBoer on Jan 16, 2011 9:30 AM EST reply actions
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