“There should be more information”: When Tony Stewart getting an exception by NASCAR raised Brad Keselowski’s eyebrows
In 2014, Tony Stewart had a fatal accident on a dirt track located in upstate New York, which resulted in Kevin Ward Jr.'s death. Stewart re-joined the Cup Series at the Atlanta Motor Speedway three weeks after the accident, missing out on potential races. However, NASCAR allowed him to race in the playoffs, and Brad Keselowski expressed his frustration.
Generally, Stewart would not have been chase-eligible to enter the playoffs because he missed out on three major races after the accident. To qualify for the playoff, a driver must compete in at least 26 races before the Chase cutoff. However, Stewart was given a green pass to compete in the race, and Jeff Gordon appreciated NASCAR's decision.
According to a report shared by the Guardian, the Ontario County District Attorney's office announced that no criminal charges would be implied against Tony Stewart. Brian Vickers and Team Penske owner Roger Penske backed NASCAR's decision to give Stewart a chase-eligibility waiver.
However, not everyone was in favor of NASCAR giving Stewart Chase eligibility. Richard Childress Racing driver Brad Keselowski expressed his frustration over the incident and said:
"The only real feeling I have is that there should be more information than there is," he said. "I think everyone is getting the shaft. I think everyone is trying to have an opinion without having all the information, and that's a scary place to be." (via USA Today.com)
Tony Stewart finished the race in P41 after starting the race from 12th position, and Brad Keselowski finished two spots above Stewart in P39.
Tony Stewart and his wife welcomed their first child into the world
Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion Tony Stewart and his wife Leah Pruett have reached a new milestone this weekend. The couple was blessed with a baby boy, Dominic Hames Stweart, and Tony Stewart ran his first NHRA series semi-final race in his rookie year.
The 53-year-old NASCAR veteran debuted in the Top Alcohol Dragster in 2023 and clinched three victories under the McPhillips banner. In March 2024, the latter moved up to the Top Alcohol Dragster and struggled with the new environment, car, rules, and regulations.
Tony Stweart was in California preparing for the NHRA Finals. After the qualifying laps, he went to meet his son in the hospital. Tony Stewart Racing Nitro team welcomed the former NASCAR champion in style and wrote:
“@TonyStewart lands back at @PomonaDragstrip as a new dad.”
The team also congratulated Leah Pruett and wrote:
“Meet our new teammate, Dominic James Stewart Momma @LeahPruett_TF and baby are doing great. Congratulations LP and @TonyStewart on becoming new parents! Only Tony could pull off qualifying, rushing to Phoenix to make it in time for the delivery, then back to @PomonaDragstrip for race day. Let’s go win Dominic a [champion].”
Unfortunately, Tony Stewart was eliminated from the finals in the final round of the race, and Doug Kalitta advanced to the finals.