Tony Stewart's Wing and a Helmet; At Least It Wasn't A Butt Spank!

I'm surprised by the fervor that has seemingly erupted from Tony Stewart flinging his helmet at Matt Kenseth weekend.

Flying helmets are nothing new to the sport of NASCAR.  They happen. I'm surprised fans want to see fines levied for this deed.  Are the fans starting to change on us too?  I don't remember hearing about disgruntled fans from previous incidents of solo-flight helmet anger.  It is what it is.  Frustration needing to be vented. I'd rather it be this way than some other ways.  In fact it wouldn't be a season if a helmet did not take flight at least once during a caution flag.  But there are other ways besides using a two-handed helmet toss to evidence one's displeasure at another competitor. (Not to mention the more often used one-handed, more manly fling!)

There's the finger wag that Danica Patrick deployed in the very same night at Bristol.

The empty, hands in the air, shoulder shrug that Kenny Schrader delivered with utmost precision at his dumper.  (Dumper, meaning the other driver that helped him wreck.  Not "that other" dumper.)

Of course there's the classic Kurt Busch Spanker.  Back some years ago, Jimmy Spencer dumped Kurt at Indy.  Kurt got out, bent over pointing his butt at Spencer and spanked himself when Jimmy drove by.  Most interesting.  Was that anguish or an offer?

Any how, since we see at least one helmet a year take flight, maybe NASCAR should stock the EMT wagon with throw-away helmets.  Something lighter that would be easier to throw.  I'm just saying.

Be it as it may, Tony Stewart made a statement earlier today that in regards to his threatening demeanor about running Kenseth into the ground for the rest of the year, he rectified that by saying that the racing will be clean.

So for now, the tempest may be fading.  But I'm betting Tony will have to live with that two-handed moment for quite some time because if someone doesn't use that video bite for ads, I'd be surprised!

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