NASCAR: Drivers react to Tony Stewart’s Return
Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
Sunday night Tony Stewart will make his return to the racetrack when he takes the green flag for the Oral-B 500 from Atlanta Motor Speedway. The NASCAR world has been abuzz since the announcement was made late Thursday. The opinions of Stewart’s return have been all over the map with supporters and critics not afraid to announce their stance. While the outside world has been voicing their opinions for weeks, this weekend some NASCAR drivers began to comment on Stewart and show their support.
Here are some of the comments that drivers have made in regards to Stewart and his return this weekend.
Brian Vickers:
"I’m so happy to see Tony back in the car. I have so much respect for that guy and we’ve missed him since he’s been away, and I can’t wait to get out there and race with him a little bit.I think it was certainly a rare and tragic situation and I’m glad NASCAR saw the circumstances. Listen, as someone who has been out of the car several times for medical incidents, I’m happy to know if I was out of the car for some reason that I’d get a chance to get back in the Chase."
Jeff Gordon:
"Very supportive of having him back, and I know based on watching the press conference how emotional this has been for him. I do think that the best thing for him is to be in that race car. Don’t be surprised if he sits on the pole today.I think the whole intent of eligibility for the Chase is so that somebody doesn’t just go take a vacation after winning a few races. That is the way I look at it. It’s not for unforeseen circumstances or medical or anything like that to prevent you from going out and competing in the Chase. They want the teams and the drivers that have earned their way in it and deserve to be in it. I believe if [the No. 14 team] win a race then I believe [Stewart] should be in it."
Kevin Harvick:
"I know for him that will be great medicine to have some type of normal activity in his life again that he hasn’t been able to have. But, from a personal standpoint, I’m glad to see my friend and be able to talk to him and be able to support him through probably what will be the hardest situation he’s had to go through in his whole life. That to me is the most important thing."
Denny Hamlin:
"We all can’t imagine what he has to go through and still goes through, but I’m sure for him, it’s going to be good therapy to get back in the race car. I mean, when you’re sitting in that seat and you’re going around a race track, that’s all you’re thinking about. You have to have all your focus on that. We all support him and obviously love having him back."
Danica Patrick:
"It will be good to have him back. We’ll be all on board to help him with whatever he needs. But he’s Tony Stewart, so I’m sure he will be fine. With it being a tragic accident, it’s something to work through."
Greg Biffle:
"It’s good to have Tony back in the car. It was a very tragic situation and I think it affected a lot of people. It was a tough situation and I’m certainly glad he’s back at the race track, I’m sure it shifts his focus and makes it feel like he has something important."
When asked about his stance on NASCAR granting Stewart a waiver to make the chase, Biffle wasn’t as talkative. If Stewart wins this weekend in Atlanta it would most likely knock Biffle out of the 16th spot where he currently sits.
"I don’t really have a comment on NASCAR’s decision."
Jimmie Johnson:
"We knew he’d be back. I felt like in my heart he’d be back. The timetable for that was solely on him. We know obviously the legal proceedings have been taking place, and it looks like everything there is allowing him to come and be at the track, be cleared by NASCAR’s review process and he feels emotionally ready. And then to see what he was just doing on the race track in practice, his speeds show he’s emotionally ready to be back in the car. I can’t imagine what he’s been through, and I thought that his statements today were well thought out and certainly directed in the right direction toward the Ward family. As Tony’s friend, I certainly feel sorry for him, and I think he’s been through a real difficult time. My real priority is the Ward family. My real concern is there and the tragic loss that took place a few weeks ago."
Brad Keselowski:
"I get a lot of messages on social media, which is probably the largest pulse I have for what’s going on. I certainly get a lot of many more positive messages about it from my fans than anything else. I haven’t really chimed in that much. I don’t think there’s — frustratingly — enough facts out there yet to have an informed opinion. Which, I sympathize for everyone out there. I think there should be a lot more facts available, but that’s no one in (the media center’s) fault. But still, I’m glad to see the fans are happy and it’s the most important thing. Tony and other stuff, he’s a strong guy. He’ll figure it out."
Dale Earnhardt Jr:
"I imagine he’s been overwhelmed with the media he’s done. I’m sure that he wants to come here and just practice and go on about his business, but when we get an opportunity to talk, we’ll have a conversation. I haven’t had a chance to see him at all. I figure that he’d been pretty busy today."
Austin Dillon:
"Having him in the garage … I haven’t gotten to see him yet, so it’s still kind of new. I’m sure I’ll say something to him before too long and say hey. It’s a crazy situation and just glad to see him back."
The NASCAR community has rallied around Stewart and proven just how close the racing community truly is. While the road back will be a long one, a win in the next two weeks would be something special.
Christopher Olmstead is the Editor of BeyondTheFlag.com on the FanSided Network. Follow us on Twitter @Beyond_The_Flag and “Like” us on Facebook.
Sources: SB Nation and NASCAR.com