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Tony
Stewart has long been known as a “Media Basher”. But like the
old adage of “If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em” says, Stewart has
joined the group that just won’t leave him be.
Starting
next January, Stewart will host “Tony Stewart Live”, a weekly
two-hour radio broadcast on Sirius Satellite Radio’s new 24/7
NASCAR channel. His co-host will be Matt Yocum, pit reporter
for FOX and NBC broadcasts. Sirius has announced that preview
episodes may begin to air as early as this October. The show
will include Stewart speaking about the broad spectrum of
motorsports topics, as well as speaking with guests on the show
and taking calls from listeners.
So, why
did Stewart decide to join the media with a two hour show of his
own? Maybe it’s because of his success at the Sirius Satellite
sponsored race at Watkins Glen. Seems logical, doesn’t it?
Maybe it’s
more a case of him now having an official outlet for his
outspoken personality. After all, he’s never been shy about
voicing his opinions related to racing, either as a NASCAR
driver, Indy driver, midget car driver, or any of the other
series he’s been a part of.
Maybe he
just has even more to say about the sport now that he’s more
than “just” a driver. He’s also a team owner, with
Tony Stewart Motorsports fielding a
World of Outlaws team that won the series championship in 2001,
a USAC team that fields entries in the Sprint, Midget and Silver
Crown divisions, and a USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series team. He’s
also a track owner, having purchased Eldora Speedway, a
half-mile clay oval track.
The past
year and a half has seen a change in Stewart’s personality.
He’s seemed more relaxed, and less confrontational with the
media than he has been in the past. Could it be that he knew
this was coming, and wanted to lay the groundwork for the
perception of a “nicer” Tony Stewart? Or is it a mere
coincidence that he started being friendlier to the media a
short time before joining them?
In any
case, his knowledge of the sport will now be available to the
public, giving listeners an insider’s perspective to the sport. |
