Stewart accepts full blame for crash

Stewart drove into rookie Clint Bowyer on lap 33 of the 200-lap race after becoming angry at the Richard Childress Racing driver because he felt he had been pushed towards the wall earlier in the race.

The incident also collected Chase contender Carl Edwards, whose car was heavily damaged. Edwards was very critical of Stewart after the race.

NASCAR officials penalised Stewart a lap for aggressive driving in the incident.

The NASCAR champion has now assumed the full responsibility for the crash.

"I'm taking 100 percent responsibility for the final incident that occurred on lap 32 between myself, the 07 [Bowyer] and the 99 [Edwards]. It was totally my fault," Stewart said in a statement.

"At the same time, there were circumstances that led up to that wreck, and after talking with Clint [on Monday] morning, we both have a better understanding as to what happened. He was trying to get out of my way and didn't realize that I had gone to the outside.

"He thought I was to his inside, and when he tried to give me some room, he slid into us and it put us into the outside wall. I reacted, causing the wreck that I take responsibility for and regret."