On the one hand, you think, "This has got to stop." How many times is NASCAR going to let Tony Stewart get away with causing mayhem on its tracks?
In the past several weeks, Stewart has: reached through the window to slap another driver he felt had made an error that affected his race, then last week, banged doors with John Andretti when he felt Andretti did not get out of his way fast enough, and rear ended Kasy Kahne, putting him into the wall.
After the face slapping incident in California, Stewart lost 25 points, some money and was put on probation. Question is, what does probation mean?
Was he given a specific set of conditions he has meet? Does he have a probation officer?
NASCAR has to consider suspending Stewart for a race or two, then continuing probation through the rest of the season. It's getting so you can't distinguish between NASCAR and the NHL.
On the other hand, "Go Tony!" Tony Stewart may be the only person in NASCAR with blood warm enough to generate fan interest. He is intense. When he has a car capable of running up front, he expects to run up front, and if you aren't fast enough to run ahead of him, get out of his way.
He let Andretti know his attitude. He let Kahne know his attitude.
In fact, you kind of have to sympathize with Stewart's treatment of Kahne. He reminds me of ... Dale Earnhardt. The situation reminded me of those times (You've been there, too) when you are driving along a highway. Up ahead there is an intersection where another road crosses the highway and traffic has a stop sign. Remember the guy who figures that if you can get slowed down enough to keep from hitting him, he has the right of way? Here he comes.
Then, despite the need for him to get onto the highway as quickly as possible, he slowly accelerates to 5 mph under the posted speed limit.
Admit it. You would like to nudge him off the pavement too, wouldn't you?
Earnhardt was passionate. When he had a car capable of running up front, he expected to run up front, and if you weren't fast enough to run ahead of him get out of his way. He took heat for it too, was booed and jeered but then cheered.
He gave the sport life.
Tony Stewart is giving it life, too. Rough play gives life to hockey, as well, and the NHL would be wise to not crack down on one-on-ones so much that they choke the life out of their game.
Most major sports benefit from contestants who, when warranted, go a little over the top with their effort. It's what makes it sport as opposed to gym class, what makes it seem worthwhile.
If the competitors in a game/race/whatever, simply go through the motions, through the ball here, run there, don't bump anybody, "Stay Inside the Lines!" fans have no reason to get passionate about the event. If no one pushes just a little too hard once in a while, it must not be worth getting excited about.