Stewart critical of Roush rookie

Ragan has already been announced as Martin's replacement at Roush Racing for next year, getting the seat that Jacques Villeneuve was rumoured to be chasing.

However, the 20-year-old has only made seven starts in the Busch Series and two in the Nextel Cup in his career, and has competed in 26 Craftsman Truck races.

"It was a pretty normal Martinsville race, but we had a rookie out there that was kind of a dart with no feathers," said two-time champion Stewart.

"The best thing to do would have been to black flag him and park him for the rest of the day, and save half the cautions."

Ragan was involved in three separate incidents, which included a collision with Ken Schrader and a spin that forced Kurt Busch into the wall.

The rookie admitted to making an error and locking up his wheels before running into Schrader, and said that he knew the short Martinsville track would be tough.

"It would have been easier to race somewhere else, but Jack (Roush) wants it to be hard," he said.

"I hate that I ruined Schrader's day, it was completely my fault, but hopefully I can talk to him."