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Friday, 3 June, 2005 0:29 AM
Exclusive
Interview with Tony Stewart at MIS
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Tony
Stewart during the press conference at MIS.
AmericaJR.com's Jason
Rzucidlo was the only Detroit reporter on hand for this exclusive
interview with Tony Stewart conducted at Michigan International
Speedway.
Tony Stewart, driver
of the #20 Home Depot NASCAR Nextel Cup car, made a special appearance
at MIS in Brooklyn, MI. He was there to preview the new renovations
to the race track including the AAA Motorsports Fan Plaza and MIS
Champions Club. He also took time to answer questions from the media.
MIS President Brett Shelton
describes the renovations, "We're building a Walk of Champions
at the end of the start/finish line. There will be a wall of our
champions since 1968. We recognize the hard work of the teams and
drivers."
Mr. Shelton adds, "We've
made a lot of progress. I feel good about it. I really do. It will
be a pleasant surprise for the fans."
Bill Janitz is the director
of public relations at MIS. He reports, "Six months to get
all this done is pretty amazing. It all has to be done and will
be done. Twnety-two out of the twenty-six acres will be paved. We
still get to keep our history and we have a lot of the amenities."
Tony Stewart describe
life as a NASCAR driver, "Get in the race car do what I
do then go home. We don't have freedom to do anything anymore. I
am getting older. I moved back to Indiana. When I go home, its an
easy way to be grounded. You learn to realize what truly matters."
The Tony Stewart Home
Depot #20 race team began back in 1999. Stewart confesses, "I'm
too lazy to work my real job. I love what I do. I've been doing
it for 26 years."
Tony Stewart was named
one of the 2004's Most Caring Athletes by the USA Weekend
Magazine. He started the Tony Stewart foundation with the dream
to help chronically ill children and individuals with auto racing
injuries. All of the funds that are raised go to The Make-A-Wish
foundation, Ronald McDonald's Children's Charities and Kyle and
Pattie Petty's Victory Junction Camp.
When asked how he started
the foundation, Tony Stewart replied, "My mom came to me
one day. It's been one of the most gratifying things."
"Racing to Play"
is a new partnership between The Home Depot Racing Team, the Joe
Gibbs Racing Team and local Home Depot stores. In just one day,
a NASCAR-themed playground will be built just before a NASCAR race.
The first "Racing
to Play" playground will be built on June 16, 2005 in Jackson,
MI at the Jackson Arts and Technology Academy. The idea is to make
a lasting impression on the lives of children who are considered
"at-risk."
The following questions
were directed by AmericaJR.com's Jason Rzucidlo:
Question: Who got you
involved in auto racing?
Answer: My dad got
me started in 1979 when I was 8 years old.
Q: What do you like most
about MIS?
A: The fishing that's
close to here. I'm a serious fisher. It's really a fun trip.
Q: What is your favorite
part of racing in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series?
A: The neat places
we get to go. We get to go to Daytona, Vegas, Indianapolis...
Q: How do you feel with
the new Nextel Cup rules vs. the old Winston Cup rules?
A: I think it turned
out fine. Before I was worried every week. The good thing is it
gives you the flexibility.
Tony Stewart recently
bought the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio. On June 8th, an event
called the NASCAR Nextel Prelude to the Dream will take place. Several
NASCAR drivers will drive dirt super late models.
The current list of drivers
who will participate in that event include Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth,
Bobby Labonte, Kevin Harvick, Dave Blaney, Kenny Schrader, Kyle
Petty and Kenny Wallace. Eldora Speedway is a half-mile clay oval.
Currently, Tony Stewart
is 6th on the NASCAR Nextel Cup points standings. He reports, "Our
season has been marginal."
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Tony
Stewart talks about the "Racing to Play" playground which
will be built at the Jackson Arts and Technology Academy.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
MIS
President Brett Shelton and Tony Stewart.
PHOTO
BY JASON RZUCIDLO / AMERICAJR.com
Tony
Stewart previews the MIS Champions Club.
Click
here to see more pictures.
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