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From the Marbles

Mon Sep 08, 2008 2:52 pm EDT

Tony Stewart thinks second place is the first loser

By Jay Busbee

In life, you lose more often than you win. Sometimes you get whipped, and you've just got to take it. And sometimes you miss out on a win by a tenth of a second, and darn it, you just don't feel like being a good loser. Such was the case Sunday with Tony Stewart, just barely edged out by Jimmie Johnson for a win at Richmond. Afterward, Smoke threw his equipment every which way, and took the curious motivational tactic of lambasting his own crew (mildly salty language here):


A transcript of the conversation between Smoke and crew chief Greg Zipadelli:

Tony (sarcasm dripping into the microphone): Good job there, guys, we gave another one away today. Great job.

Zip: 10-4. Great attitude there, Smoke. We stalled it a couple times on pit road there and gave up a spot. We win and lose as a team. It was a great effort, okay? Enough of that [garbage, for the under-12s in the house].

Tony: The difference is, I got [the places I lost] back.

Announcers: [Dead, uncomfortable silence.]

Yeesh. Think Darian Grubb, Smoke's 2009 crew chief, might be rethinking his job choice right about now?

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202 Comments

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  1. Kelly R
    25. Posted by Kelly R Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:20 pm EDT

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    I'm not a Tony Stewart fan but give the guy his own...he is a two time Cup Champion and has built his own racing stable of teams in several different racing leagues. The truth is his team did give the lead away in the pits and he was RIGHT for calling them on it. I bet J.D. Gibbs did the same thing ( perhaps with a little more class); but hey thats Smoke. Thanks Tony for telling it like it is even when it's not popular, with the media, nascar, or the sponsors. Finally a race car driver to look up to........
  2. packerd_00
    26. Posted by packerd_00 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:48 pm EDT

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    Carol-Ive got Satelite.
  3. CARGUY
    27. Posted by CARGUY Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    On the subject of jr, wasn't he driving the same car that jj was?
  4. Jay Busbee
    28. Posted by Jay Busbee Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:33 pm EDT

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    CARGUY--this is a video here. If your computer isn't enabled to show videos/flash, you won't see it. But it's a good one.
  5. Just-a-Fan
    29. Posted by Just-a-Fan Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:10 pm EDT

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    Can't believe the media gives this guy the time of day. Wake Up media...stop talking to this jerk. After the Rolling Stones article, only the demented and those who are incarcerated (could be the same) care what this cry baby does or says. Stop the media exposure and his sponsors probably won't opt for a renewal.
  6. Roger A
    30. Posted by Roger A Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:31 pm EDT

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    It is so sad that Tony forgets where he came from. If it had not been for this crew he would have nothing to talk about. Now he has a lot to talk about. He should begin by apologizing to the crew that help make him who he is. The other; he should get off his high horse and realize that they are only one facet of the job. If he cant bring it to fruition then he should take some of the blame. Now he is a big whiner. Lets see how he does without them. Then who is he going to blame. Momma will not be there.
  7. art_tidesco
    31. Posted by art_tidesco Thu Sep 03, 2009 2:58 pm EDT

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    reminded me rather of some of those danica patrick fits maybe the guy is really in touch with his whole self including his feminine self or was he just not brought up proper ?
  8. Kyle R
    32. Posted by Kyle R Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:16 pm EDT

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    better then the scripted crap every other driver gives for getting 2nd place, trying to fit in any and every sponsor they ever had.
  9. orangechev20
    33. Posted by orangechev20 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:46 pm EDT

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    Hey knock him if you want but Tony wears his emotions on his sleeve. He tells you what he is feeling at the time. they should require the reporters to give the drivers some time to collect their thoughts before they come bum rushing in. What I like about Tony is you see what you get. He is not phony He tells you how it is.
    Hey JJ is a good driver but he is too PC for my taste. it always appears to me that he takes his time and makes sure his words come out just right.
    Tony is Tony and I like him that way.
  10. Eclair
    34. Posted by Eclair Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:36 pm EDT

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    Aw, geez!!! Tony's getting uber-b*tchy again.
    Well history has shown us what that usually means..... the existence of a steady girlfriend.
  11. Carol
    35. Posted by Carol Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:19 pm EDT

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    CARGUY if the pictures dont EVER show up for you, maybe you need to update your rig? A new graphics card might work wonders! Or your operating system may be out of date? Jay, what format are the pictures?
    Packerd I don't know about satelite. The race was televised on cable, I think it was ESPN. Unless you were joking about not having been able to get it?
  12. ME
    36. Posted by ME Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:44 pm EDT

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    tony stewart is a washed up has been. the only reason he ever won is because of his team......after he leaves Gibbs he'll never win again lol
  13. guerreroestella
    37. Posted by guerreroestella Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    I still love him
  14. brad s
    38. Posted by brad s Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:12 pm EDT

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    mike e you are an idiot
  15. Eclair
    39. Posted by Eclair Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:36 pm EDT

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    I'm sure I'm not the only one who is tired of ranting "poor me" attitudes from ALL those who are paid millions of dollars to play a game or race something for a living. Nobody died, got injured, or lost their home. They lost a game/race.
    The fans who see and read about these tirades are the same ones who make these people rich and famous. How insulting is it for fans with real problems to see their hero behave this way?
    Mandatory penance for a post-race/game tantrum?.... An immediate visit to a Pediatrics Burn Unit.
  16. Jason C
    40. Posted by Jason C Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:31 pm EDT

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    #42 - I'm surprised nobody's asked if that's where Kyle...nope, nevermind. He learned to whine from the best in the business...don't know who I'm talking about, he drives the #24 car...
    But back to Stewart, I've never been his biggest fan, but I respect him because in this day in age of political correctness, he's not afraid to speak his mind. He's never been afraid to take shots or call names, but I could tell that he's growing ever more frustrated with not being able to win. Whoever said that Tony's not wanting to give Toyota a win of his own is full of it...I'm sure if he was in a Ford or Dodge, he'd wanna win just as much as if he was in a Chevy. If it's got four wheels and a motor, you can bet your bottom dollar that Smoke's gonna want to be the first one to the checkers at the end of the day. I wouldn't be surprised if he stole a couple races in the Chase and left Joe Gibbs Racing with his third Cup in hand. That would be a hell of a way to go...
  17. Bubba78
    41. Posted by Bubba78 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:50 pm EDT

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    What a big baby! Lets see how he acts next year when his new team gets thier butts handed to them.
  18. Justin W
    42. Posted by Justin W Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:17 pm EDT

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    Wow some of you never played sports growing up! When you lose it sucks!! Everybody has taken it out on people who probly don't deserve it, EVERYBODY (namely on teammates but you all show up again the next day and THAT is what makes a team)!!!
  19. Bubba78
    43. Posted by Bubba78 Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:50 pm EDT

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    Ha Ha You big baby! You will cry nexy year when that team is whoopin your new one
  20. Kitty S
    44. Posted by Kitty S Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:47 pm EDT

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    Kenny Schrader would not have behaved like that
  21. bob antonitis jr
    45. Posted by bob antonitis jr Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:10 pm EDT

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    Tony isn't afraid to tell it like it is so get used to it. If it's good he says it and if it's bad he tells that too. Many drivers just sit back and keep their mouths shut and most of them are NOT among the top twelve in the Chase. Why are the top twelve in the Chase? because they are seen as well as heard each week come before, during and after
    the race. Bring on the Chase, although too bad we could just see the next ten races with only the top twelve Chase drivers. Hey maybe expand it to 15 drivers and have just those in the Chase and the rest of the non-Chase drivers in a race the day or night before the Chase race.
  22. guybo
    46. Posted by guybo Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:14 pm EDT

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    Air your garbage off air, congrats to zip to say can it. tony is a diva, as a pro win and lose graciously.
    mmm is it me but since the gas pedal cheating penalties Hendricks is starting to win again?
  23. Joe
    47. Posted by Joe Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:38 pm EDT

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    The race was on TV - ESPN2. I watched it.
  24. Crush
    48. Posted by Crush Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:40 pm EDT

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    Tony is an overweight little baby.......throwing his team under the bus. He will be lucky to finish 2nd year when he is all by his lonesome. Grow up loser!!!!!
  25. dogemom
    49. Posted by dogemom Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:46 pm EDT

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    time for Mr. Stewart to take a refresher course in anger management. After that little display, I willbe putting my #20 stuff in the trash and won't be replacing it with anything Stewart very soon. take a time out Tony you certainly earned it.

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