"We're putting the drivers in jeopardy": When Tony Stewart challenged NASCAR’s safety policy and paid $35,000 fine

Veteran NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart has always been vocal and direct in criticising decisions made by the governing body and the officials who make the rules in NASCAR. One such instance was in 2016, when the Cup Series driver and team owner openly challenged NASCAR's commitment to safety.

Stewart was fined $35,000 for comments he made while discussing whether the sport should legislate the number of lug nuts that must be tight when a driver leaves the pits.

The sporting body decided to stop requiring all lug nuts to be tight after the debut of an officiating computer software that alerted the officials of potential violations. The executives said that the new system was beneficial as it was difficult for the officials to analyse and determine how many nuts were actually tight earlier, and with the new system, it also meant that the officials wouldn't have to stand on pit road except for special occasions.

Stewart-Haas Racing team co-owner and driver Tony Stewart questioned NASCAR's decision and raised safety concerns.

"We shouldn't be playing games with safety to win races. It should be outperforming the other teams and not jeopardizing drivers' lives by teams putting two of five lug nuts on to try to get two more spots off of pit road. When you preach about safety, why would you sit there and have cars running 200 miles an hour at the end of a straightaway that don't have all the lug nuts on the wheels that should be on it?" Stewart said via the Media.

The sport's behavioural policy states that it can fine any driver $50,000 for comments that demean the sport or its leadership. The Sprint Cup drivers' council said in a statement that they would collectively incur Stewart's fine.

Shane van Gisbergen breaks Tony Stewart's record after triumph at Sonoma

For decades, Tony Stewart had held onto a record that Shane van Gisbergen broke last Sunday (July 13) at the Sonoma Raceway. SVG achieved multiple feats after his third victory of the season at Sonoma.

The driver now matches the record of rookie wins set by seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson and two-time Cup champion Stewart. But this was not the only record that he broke.

Van Gisbergen also broke the record of being the fastest driver to seal four NASCAR Cup Series wins in the modern era. The Trackhouse Racing driver completed the feat in just 34 race outings compared to 47 outings held by Tony Stewart earlier.

Stewart retired from full-time racing in the Cup Series in 2016 and now competes successfully in the NHRA Series drag racing with his wife, Leah Pruett.