Stewart in head restraint bust-up

Stewart was the last Winston Cup driver who would not wear such a device. But NASCAR announced on Wednesday that the HANS or Hutchens devices would be made mandatory, meaning every Winston Cup driver had to wear something to keep their head and neck stabilised when on the track for practice, qualifying or the race.

The Joe Gibbs Racing Pontiac driver says that the Hutchens device makes him feel claustrophobic in the race car. But NASCAR officials - aware that Stewart often ignores such edicts - ordered Stewart to the NASCAR trailer on Friday to tell him he had to wear the device for practice.

Afterwards, Stewart considered leaving the track and asked the team to find another driver because he wasn't going to wear the restraining device.

After 20 minutes, Stewart returned to his car where crew chief Greg Zipadelli put the Hutchens device on him under the watchful eye of NASCAR chief inspector Steve Peterson. Stewart had angry words with Peterson before getting in the race car.

Stewart reluctantly wore the device in practice and qualifying, but after running the 41st fastest speed out of 45 cars he drove into the garage area, yanked it off and slammed it to the ground. He stormed to his team transporter, refusing to speak with the media. Forced to take a provisional starting slot, Stewart will line up 37th for Sunday's race.

NASCAR president Mike Helton said he found Stewart's recent attitude "challenging."

"I don't yet see it as a concern," Helton said. "It's a challenge. "It's worth the challenge to keep him in this garage area. In the meantime, we haven't reached a stone wall yet that keeps that from not being worth it, but it's a challenge."