Stewart is a hit at Sharon Speedway

Dave Blaney said that his
re-signing with the Caterpillar No. 22 team may be within the week.

By JOHN BASSETTI

VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF

HARTFORD — Tony Stewart wasn’t too interested in talking about his NASCAR achievements, but he was receptive in addressing stubble.

That’s right, stubble — the short, bristly growth on a man’s chin.

One of the hottest drivers in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series and one of the few with face hair was asked if the distinction had any bearing on his success.

“As soon as they decide to make it a fashion show, then I’ll worry about it,” Stewart said Tuesday evening shortly after his arrival at Sharon Speedway.

“The last time I checked, it’s supposed to be burly guys driving race cars, so the day it becomes a fashion show is the day I’ll retire and become a race track promoter and car owner,” Stewart said of the topic.

Fourth-ranked

Overall, the fourth-ranked Nextel Cup driver only cared to focus on the purpose of his visit.

“I’ve been so worried about coming here, I haven’t paid any attention to what’s going on,” he said when asked to compare his current status with those during August of his first two Cup championship seasons.

“This is all I care about — what we’re doing here raising money for Victory Junction. Ever since Sunday night, this is all I‘ve been getting ready for.”

After back-to-back victories on July 15 and July 29, Stewart won at Watkins Glen last Sunday.

When asked about Sunday and clear sailing on the last few laps after leader Jeff Gordon spun out, Tony joked: “I wanted to get that race over so I could get to Sharon.”

Stewart repeated that his mind wasn’t on Nextel Cup at the moment.

“We’ll see what happens [about the rest of the season]. I’m at a dirt track now. You’re asking about something I’m not going to worry about until Friday night when I get there [qualifying session for the upcoming race at Michigan Speedway].”

Colleagues

Joining Stewart for the benefit evening were Kevin Harvick and Clint Bowyer and Sharon Speedway co-owner Dave Blaney.

Harvick said he only ran on dirt five or six times in his whole life before Tuesday, but he’s agreeable enough to visit tracks of colleagues.

“I’m trying to do something a little bit different and Dave has always been really nice to me and he’s a fun guy to be around. I’m not much competition for these guys on dirt, that’s for sure. It’s something for me to do and it’s a different challenge.”

All four drivers were expected to race in E-Mods Tuesday night.

Harvick, asked about risking injury when, as the top-money earner so far ($5,625,510), he’s challenging for the Nextel Cup Chase.

“I’m not concerned. You can’t live in a glass house. I could fall down the steps at my house and break my leg, so it’s something you don’t worry about.”

Harvick won last Saturday’s Busch Series event, but was disabled at the end of Sunday’s race.

“We felt like we had a chance to continue to win the race at the end, but we threw it all away at the end — not by any of our doing. It’s just one of those deals, I guess.”

Shoving match

Harvick’s No. 29 Pennzoil car was hit by Juan Pablo Montoya.

He declined to elaborate on a brief confrontation with Montoya after the race.

“I’m not here to talk about Sunday. I’m here to have fun tonight.”

Bowyer, currently ranked ninth, has made great strides after his first full-time season a year ago.

“Things are obviously going well. We’ve got four more races to go [before Race for the Chase cutoff]. “You don’t want to think too soon, but we’ve just got to stay solid and keep doing what we’re doing; control the things you can control and I think we’ll be fine.”

He said the dirt track events are stress-relievers.

“I come to every one I can. It’s the Chase that’s got me heated up.”

Blaney, who said that his re-signing with Bill Davis Racing and the Caterpillar No. 22 team may be within the week, hasn’t been in a Busch event since the Gateway 250 at Madison, Ill. on July 21.

Brian Vickers is now driving.

Up in air

“I don’t know if I’m going to drive that anymore later this year. That car is up in the air now. The last I heard was that Vickers was going to drive the next four weeks. After that, I don’t know. I could be in it five races from now or I may not. It’s up to that team.”

Blaney is currently ranked 36th in Nextel owner’s point.

bassetti@vindy.com