If you let him, Tony Stewart will turn you against stock car racing, free of charge. He is to the coming Winston Cup season what Bigfoot is to a camping trip. You never know when he will embarrass you as well as himself.
Usually, when he makes one of these pinheaded moves it leaves a giant track through the sport. Then he wants you to forgive him, and keep on forgiving him, and most of all, he wants you to believe him.
But his promises go unfounded in sincere warmth, and his broken promises stand out like a pig in a peanut field. Some of the most unruly of NBA players are better heroes.
There was a time when NASCAR stood proudly, and fans even bragged that "our sport" runs without the disruption experienced in major league sports. Drivers went out of their way to get along with the media. They understood the media helps fill the grandstands. These guys were always available.
Richard Petty made a habit of staying in one spot, usually pit wall or the back of his truck, and signing autographs until dark or later for long lines of fans. He was the kind of champion who fans and media alike hoped would reign forever over the sport. He was not the only one who showed kindness to fans and media.
All was tolerable with champions that followed. Darrell Waltrip would get on his chopping block occasionally, and sometimes Dale Earnhardt could be as sullen as an old country judge sitting on a cactus spur. Bobby Allison would express his opinion-good or bad-about what you were doing. But it was all in the family, a happy family that fans loved and the media respected.
Then along comes this mad publicity raven who, because of NASCAR's negligence in allowing a driver on probation to continue running over media members in the garage area, ends up as Winston Cup champion.
It could only happen in racing. Even a sanctioning body for goat roping would have suspended Stewart on the eve of the final race of the 2002 season, but apparently probation means little in NASCAR anymore.
Let's take a look. At Daytona, after the July 2001 race, Stewart slapped a tape recorder from a reporter's hands, then kicked it under a truck. NASCAR placed its problem driver on probation for the rest of the year.
At Indianapolis 2002, Stewart got out of his car and in the garage area punched a photographer. He drew a fine by NASCAR and received a $50,000 fine from his major sponsor.
Stewart promised the world he would do better. He enrolled in an anger management program. He is a changed person, he says. Within a few days a lady files a complaint in Bristol, Tennessee, claiming Stewart shoved her after the race there. A Tennessee grand jury debated an assault case against Stewart, but the case never went to court.
Following the race at Rockingham, Stewart used a word that TV partly censored when describing his car. NASCAR often fines competitors for using vulgar language, but the sanctioning body overlooked it this time.
Then on the eve of the season's finale, Stewart hammered another photographer in the garage area at Homestead, Florida. Photos from the scene clearly show that Stewart had an acre or so to get by the guy.
NASCAR lets it ride. Remember? Stewart promised the world he would do better. The temper management class is helping, right?
The truth is, it is impossible to believe anything Stewart says, particularly about his future. He has brought this upon himself. He could be a fine example for the sport, for kids, for fans, for media. But a role model he is not.
It would be absolutely wonderful if our Winston Cup champion makes it through this season without making a spectacle of himself. I for one hope he does, and I believe many of you feel the same way.
He will never be a Richard Petty; it's not in him. But a year from now it could be a story of success, of how the champion changed his acrimonious ways and became a role model.
But if Stewart goes through another year like 2002, then it's time to write him off as "Bam Bam" Tony and pass him on to another circuit.