Stewart escapes sanctions for profanity

30.09.2007 21:00 Sport and Travel - Source: USA Today

"We continue to discuss it, but I seriously doubt there (are) going to be any penalties," said NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter. "There were very unusual circumstances surrounding this incident. We don't condone the reaction, but it was in passing and wasn't an interview. I think we're going to move on."

NASCAR has punished other drivers for using vulgarities in TV and radio interviews, including Stewart for swearing in an ESPN interview after winning the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on July 29 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Juan Pablo Montoya was fined $10,000 for making an obscene gesture at a camera he didn't realize was filming live during a Busch Series practice in April at Phoenix International Raceway.

NASCAR decided punishment wasn't warranted this time in part because the vulgarity wasn't judged as very audible.

"There's a lot of other noise when you see the tape," Hunter said. "For viewers at home, there's a chance they might not have heard that."

The exchange occurred on pit road after practice. Stewart had leaned into Robby Gordon's cockpit for a conversation. The camera caught Stewart as he turned to walk away from the car, and ESPN broadcaster Dr. Jerry Punch immediately apologized to viewers.

ESPN uses tape delay when broadcasting two-way radio conversations, but "we don't feel the need to use a tape-delay system when working with professional athletes," spokesman George McNeilly said.

"It was an unfortunate incident," McNeilly said. "The tape speaks for itself. In our view, the photographer was doing his job."

A penalty could have damaged a bid for a third championship by Stewart, who was second in the Chase for the Nextel Cup standings heading into Sunday's race at Kansas Speedway.

Stewart was fined $10,000 and placed on probation through Dec. 31 for skipping media obligations after finishing second at Phoenix International Raceway on April 21. A few days later, he compared NASCAR with professional wrestling in accusing its officials of throwing bogus cautions for debris. Then, he was docked 25 points and fined $25,000 for using an obscenity at Indianapolis.

Speaking with The Des Moines Register on Saturday night in Knoxville, Iowa, where he attended the Knoxville Nationals, Stewart said he was unaware of the microphone.

"It's just proof that you never know where there's a microphone hanging around somewhere," Stewart said. "Those guys were in an area they weren't even supposed to be in. The next eight weeks are stressful and every day that you're at that track there's a lot of pressure on us to do what we do. It's not going to be an easy eight weeks."

NASCAR officials said the cameramen were permitted in the area, which was fine with J.D. Gibbs, president of the Joe Gibbs Racing team that fields Stewart's No. 20 Chevrolet.

"I love the fact that our sport has great access," Gibbs said. "I come from the NFL and you can't get near anybody. At the same time, how do you balance it? Tony has a right to say, 'I'm trying to have a conversation, give me a second.' "

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