TALLADEGA, Ala. — Tony Stewart was the first driver convicted of dipping below NASCAR’s out-of-bounds line, learning a valuable lesson in 2001 at Daytona that he has carried with him ever since.
So when Regan Smith slid under the line Sunday at Talladega Superspeedway to finish first, Stewart was certain he would be awarded his first victory of the season.
NASCAR agreed, and Stewart made his first trip to Talladega’s Victory Lane in 20 career starts. But Smith was adamant he had done nothing wrong, arguing that the two-time series champion forced him below the line in a desperate blocking attempt.
“You’re darn right I did (blocked Smith). I’ve lost Daytona 500s, I’ve lost races here at Talladega because somebody blocked,” Stewart said. “That’s the name of the game. There’s always been people blocking. Trust me, I’ve got no regrets about what I did. I did exactly what I needed to do to win . . . and it worked out.”
Smith was in second and trailed Stewart for the final three laps, and the rookie made one attempt to grab his first career victory by ducking inside of Stewart to attempt a pass.
Stewart wouldn’t relent, moving with Smith down the track until Smith drove below the yellow line to make the pass. He moved back onto the racing surface in front of Stewart and cruised to the finish.
NASCAR reviewed the move — a driver is allowed to make the pass if officials believe he was forced under the line — and declared it illegal. Smith went with Dale Earnhardt Inc. president Max Siegel to argue the decision, but was rebuffed and dropped to 18th in the final finishing order.
“We just watched the tape. They can argue about it for five years, they’re not going to change the decision. That’s not how NASCAR works,” Smith said. “I totally disagree with them 110 percent.”
The ruling helped Stewart snap a 43-race winless streak dating to Watkins Glen last year and allowed him to cross Talladega off his list of tracks where he’d failed to earn a win. Talladega has taunted him for 10 years, as Stewart finished second a maddening six times.
Denny Hamlin was taken to a Birmingham hospital where he stayed Sunday night after his tire exploded while he was leading and his car slammed into the outside wall. He finished 39th and dropped to last in the Chase field.
