AUTO RACING Stewart can seal title today

Mark Martin needs to finish lower than 16th place for Stewart to clinch.
AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Tony Stewart doesn't want to talk about winning the Winston Cup championship. He just wants to do it.
It could happen as soon as today in the Checker Auto Parts 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Stewart is going into the race with a 112-point lead over Mark Martin, also seeking his first Cup title. Martin needs only to finish 16th or better to force Stewart to race him for the championship next Sunday in the season-finale in Homestead, Fla.
That's the likely scenario, considering Martin has seven top-five and 11 top-10 finishes in 14 starts here. And that would only prolong the agony for Stewart, who is definitely not enjoying the escalating off-track demands of this championship chase.
Doesn't like PR
Stewart loves everything about being a race driver -- except the public relations responsibilities.
Fans crowding around for autographs, public appearances for his team and sponsors, and constant demands from the media are all agonizing for the 31-year-old racer.
Now, on the cusp of winning NASCAR's most prestigious championship, all of the above is nearly overwhelming for a man who has a notoriously short fuse and has been in trouble with NASCAR and even his own sponsor for outbursts this season and last.
He could be the first Winston Cup champ, at least since the modern era began in 1972, to win the title while on probation.
Stewart's Joe Gibbs Racing team put out the word Friday that the driver would not be available for any interviews until after the championship was decided.
Media protests
A storm of protest by the assembled media finally prompted an afternoon interview session.
Stewart showed up smiling, but some of his responses did not reflect a man enjoying his task.
Asked if he is enjoying the championship battle or anxious to be done with it, the caustic Stewart said, "Pass."
Questioned if he is approaching Sunday's race any differently than other races this year, Stewart, somewhat sarcastically, said, "I haven't changed anything up to now. Why would I change now? It's just race 35 of 36. It's just another week in paradise here."
Stewart's answer to a question regarding any changes in his weekly routine, elicited an exasperated answer: "No. What part of 'We haven't changed anything' is hard for all of you guys to understand? I still sleep in the same bed at night. I've been doing the same things every day, whether I've been in the race car or not in the race car.
"Trust me, we aren't doing anything any different."
Stewart's possibilities
Stewart, who would be the third first-time winner in four years, could be put out of his off-track misery by clinching the title, which he could do in several ways.
If he gains 73 points on Martin, Stewart would wrap up the championship and the nearly $4 million that goes with it.
A gain of 39 points would require Stewart only to start the race at Homestead-Miami Speedway to win the crown.