NASCAR explains Stewart penalty

Jim Hunter, NASCAR's Vice President of Corporate Communications, stated that Stewart's refusal to attend the post-race press conference at Phoenix last week led them to the decision that was not made public until today.

It was not the first time the two-time Nextel Cup champion failed to fulfill his commitments with the media following a race, but on previous occasions, no action was taken against him by NASCAR.

"Well, in the past we had always hoped that we didn't have to get to this point to get our athletes to fulfill their media obligations," Hunter said. "But obviously that didn't work in this instance, so this is a starting point.

"This is the first time in NASCAR history I think, that we have to fine a driver for not fulfilling his media obligations. So going forward, I don't want to speculate on what's going to happen in the future, but I would say that the standard is set."

Hunter denied Stewart was being punished for the comments made against NASCAR during his radio show on Tuesday, although he admitted the matter was discussed by officials.

"We had at least two days of conversations regarding that," Hunter added. "Obviously we weren't happy with what he said. But we're big boys. The sport will continue on and we will continue to have the best stock car racing in the world.

"Whether or not it has damaged the image of the sport, is for the fans and for you the media to decide."

However, Hunter admitted NASCAR was disappointed with Stewart's accusations as they clearly attacked the integrity of the sport.

"I cannot say strongly enough how disappointing this was to NASCAR, to all the people who have helped build the sport over the years and put so much time and effort into it," he said.

"To have what I would call just some out of the blue comments that attack the integrity of the sport, to me that is absolutely just wrong."

Stewart is not new to controversy in NASCAR. He has been on probation three times before receiving his latest penalty this week.

In 2001 he was put on probation for the first time after an incident with Jeff Gordon at Bristol, a further confrontation with a NASCAR official at Daytona and an incident with a reporter at the same race.

The next year he had an altercation with a photographer after the Brickyard 400, which put him under probation again for the rest of the year. Despite that, he claimed his first Nextel Cup title at the end of the season.

In 2005 he had a further probation period due to an incident with rookie Brian Vickers after a Busch Series race at Watkins Glen. However, he managed to go through the rest of the year without trouble to win his second Cup title.

"I think Tony Stewart knows where he stands with us right now and I don't want to speculate on the future," Hunter added after being asked whether Stewart would be able to handle the probation period this time.

"But I can assure you that Tony Stewart knows where he stands with NASCAR right now."