rpm.espn.com: Stewart's only obstacle? Temper

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Friday, February 15

Stewart's only obstacle? Temper
ESPN.com

We asked our users whether this will be Stewart's year to take the title or if he is still too hotheaded to get it done. Here are some of the comments:

Tony is one of NASCAR's most talented drivers. He could easily overtake Gordon and win the 2002 championship. However, he needs to kick the "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde" personality. If he goes the season without a run-in with NASCAR officials and keeps his cool, Tony will be at the head table come December.

Tom Berriman
Lansing, Mich.

I watched Tony coming up in the ranks in the midgets and sprints. He really reminds me of A.J. Foyt, who is the overall greatest race car driver in the world. Tony will win the title in 2002! The great thing about Tony is that he still remembers his roots and still enjoys climbing into a midget and running it as hard as he knows how. He also puts his support and money in sprint car racing by sponsoring the Danny Lasoski sprint car in the World of Outlaws. Racing needs more Stewarts. Good luck this year, Tony.

Warren Reynolds
Cincinnati

After hearing what Tony has been saying in the off season, I believe Stewart's attitude has changed towards NASCAR and that will earn him his first championship. He certainly has the ability and the consistency to run well at not some, but all the tracks on the circuit. Only Jeff Gordon and Stewart have proven that. However, I do hope that Stewart will keep some of that temper. NASCAR has tunnel vision and does need someone to put it in its place sometimes and I think Tony can help NASCAR look at all possibilities.

Mark Lauman
Atlanta

Your comparison of Tony Stewart to Dale Earnhart is quite true. While I was a Sr. fan, I absolutely love to see Tony drop out of the race early. Like Dale Sr., you either love him or you hate him, and trust me I hate him.

Scott Brunk
York, Pa.

Tony is the reason I watch NASCAR! I think he is a breath of fresh air! If everyone conformed to NASCAR all the time without a fight, it would be so boring. He brings back to NASCAR racing what it was 50 years ago, before corporate sponsorship and squeaky clean drivers! I hope he runs away with the championship in 2002!

Julie Rickert
Janesville, Wisc.

I think this year will be Stewart's year to take the title of champion. He has proven to be a strong driver, and his crew gets better and better each season. He controlled his temper much better last year than the year before, so this season should be even better than last. I also predict that Stewart will run and win the Indy 500 this year too!

Jenny Foland
Flint, Mich.

Dear God, I hope not. He is the most arrogant and obnoxious driver that has ever sat in a Winston Cup car. He acts like he is heir to Dale Earnhardt which he won't ever be even in his dreams.

Dick Oliver
Secatur, Ill.

Let's start off saying I am and always will be a Jeff Gordon fan. But you have to be smart enough to know Stewart has talent and a top team to back him. Maybe it was the winter break or maybe he took some anger management classes but Tony seems a lot calmer this year, then again the real racing hasn't begun. He has to know that you can't win a championship in Winston Cup driving on emotion. His biggest advantage is that he is strong on every type track, if he listens to his crew chief and keeps out of trouble he can easily be the champ.

Don Stefani
Salem, Ore.

Tony Stewart is a racer. The guy has more talent than most Winston Cup drivers could ever dream of. Unless he ticks off NASCAR, he will win the 2002 Winston Cup. I also expect him to contend and/or win the Indy 500 this year and ascend from fan favorite to legend in the next few years. If NASCAR had more Stewarts and less "say the right thing all time" drivers, the ratings would be through the roof!

Jason Scott
Green Bay, Wisc.

Tony Stewart has the skills and the tools to be the champ this season but it's all up to him. His bad temper, I think, was a distraction that took his eye off the prize. He has a great owner, good equipment, a true "teammate," a successful team and arguably one of the best crew chiefs in the sport. If he can focus his intensity on consistency and performance, I think he can win more than one championship in his racing career.

B J Gadola
Poconos, Pa.

Tony Stewart has the talent and the team to win the title. The only thing hurting him is his consistency. While no one in their right mind expected him to win in '99 as a rookie, DNFs, mostly mechanicals, have hurt him. I think this year Stewart will win the title unless he gets hurt and misses a race or something like that.

Aaron Rosser
Adairsville, Ga.

Stewart definitely belongs in the class with A.J. Foyt and Cale Yarborough. I hate that you even mentioned the "next Earnhardt," though. Not that he's not the best bet to hold that role in NASCAR, but that all of the Earnhardt and Earnhardt Jr. fans will hold it against him. When it's all over, and Stewart has finally had a chance to tell NASCAR where they can stick their rules, we'll look back on one of the finest, most colorful drivers in all of motorsports. Then we can watch him in his "retirement" at our local dirt track!

Brad Hudson
Southern Pines, N.C.

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