Tony Stewart's swagger is back. Obviously, a victory in Kansas provided a restorative balm to Stewart's psyche.
It was a confident, if impatient, Stewart who appeared in the Kansas Speedway media center to discuss his latest triumph. First of all, it should be noted that a great victory, while enjoyable and worth major bucks, coincidentally loused up Stewart's plans, which were to race Late Models in Knoxville, Iowa, on Sunday night. The Tiger was growling a bit because he had an itch to board a plane.
Of course, I wasn't there. Lucky me. I read a few stories from those who were and read the transcript.
The relationship between Stewart and the media is uneasy. Though there are notable exceptions, it's fair to see that each side regards the other warily. There's an edge in both questions and answers. In fact, sometimes the questions and answers flip-flop, as Stewart sometimes seems as prone to ask as he does to answer.
The air was ripe for what is fun for some, frustrating for others and probably intimidating for a few.
Stewart wasn't particularly inclined to answer stupid questions, but he was notably inclined to consider most questions stupid.
The very first words out of Stewart's mouth were in response to the obligatory moderator's question: "Tell us what happened out there today."
"It happened because we were the first guy across the finish line," replied Stewart, disagreeing as he almost always does between the plural (we) and the singular (first guy). (Perhaps this suggests multiple personalities.)
Then a few people reportedly chuckled. Nervously. And Stewart elaborated a bit more. And the race -- to get to Knoxville while still fulfilling the victor's obligations to, uh, talk about it - was on.
Stewart likes to banter. He likes to trade barbs. He's a wise guy. He needles, kids, takes digs, delivers putdowns and one-liners. He's a vaudeville action figure. It's fun for those accustomed to it.
Pressed on the topic of how much better shape he'd be in if it weren't for the Chase, Stewart might as well have started yelling "lah-lah-lah-lah-lah!" and covered his ears because he didn't want any part of that line of discussion.
If Don Rickles can be Mr. Warmth, so can Tony Stewart.
Jeff Gordon had finished second, and his press conference, a far more convivial affair, had been completed. Gordon had gracefully noted that, if not for the Chase, Stewart would be running away with the championship.
"Yeah, but it's not the old system, so why are we talking about the old system? In case you didn't know, we haven't used that system for five years now, so why are we talking about the old system? Who cares?"
Stewart's entire answer consisted of questions. And, just for the record, the Chase has been around for six years, not five.
The two-time champion does have a wonderful sense of the absurd. He rolled his eyes and made light of Gordon's words being cited.
"You would think I would feel the vibe from it right now (i.e., being in the same chair and behind the same microphone as Gordon) and understand that," said Stewart, and when he left, he took the office chair with him. Rolled it right out the door and pushed it back to the Stewart Haas Racing transporter, while Kansas Speedway officials were looking at each other and saying, "He's not actually going to take the chair, is he? He did take the chair. We didn't plan on him taking the chair. What'll we do about a new chair?"
A photo of the chair sitting next to the trailer popped up on the Internet. Stewart said he wanted to get Gordon to autograph it.
At the end of the lively exchange over how irrelevant it was that Stewart is fourth in the Chase standings and not first, Stewart allowed as how he'd, uh, really like to be flying the friendly skies to Iowa.
"Yeah, as soon as I get done with this stimulating conversation that we're having here, make me feel smarter when I leave here, then I'm going to get to Knoxville as quickly as I can," said Stewart. "That's my goal: to get out of here soon. Just a hint."
To his credit, Stewart answered a few more questions. He fulfilled his obligations, though, as is often the case, there was apparently a certain "ask if you dare" vibe in the room.
Tony Stewart is funny. His brand of humor is not for everybody, though.