Stewart renews attack on NASCAR

The 30-year-old is unhappy about being forced to use head and neck safety devices that were made mandatory before the Talladega race two weekends ago. But rumours that he will return to the Indy Racing League, which he won in 1997 before switching to NASCAR, appear to be unfounded.

"No, I'm not happy - I've been unhappy for over a year now," said Stewart. "But I've talked with [my team owner] Joe Gibbs and I'm not going to do anything drastic. I'm not quitting, I'm not leaving, I'm just unhappy with NASCAR. I think they do a lot of things wrong.

"For every one thing they do wrong they probably do five things right. But there are things that can be changed that aren't being changed right now."

Stewart claims that the only reason NASCAR has pushed through the rule on driver safety devices is because of pressure from the media following its decision not to make changes in the aftermath of Dale Earnhardt's death. He has also criticised NASCAR's attitude to racing.

"I feel like our sport has gone from seeing who had the best race team, the best race driver and who did the best job on Sunday, to what can we do to make a great show for TV and the fans in the stands," Stewart said. "I know there's a common mix there that's got to be made. There's an equation in place that must be working to make it as great as it is.

"NASCAR didn't get here because they're stupid. But I think there are a lot of ways to make things better than what they are and a lot safer than what they are, of course. I fight for what I believe in every week, and I won't stop fighting until I feel like it's good enough."