By Marty Smith, Turner Sports Interactive
November 30, 2001
11:51 PM EST (0451 GMT)
NEW YORK -- For a guy who was so adamant about not wearing a head and neck restraint, Tony Stewart sure does seem to be getting accustomed to doing so.
Stewart, the second-place finisher in the 2001 NASCAR Winston Cup Series campaign, amused the crowd Friday at the 53rd annual NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship awards ceremony when during his speech, he began to complain of the excessive temperature in the ballroom.
Continuing the schtick, Stewart shed his coat to reveal he was wearing his Hutchens device straps underneath, then as the crowd doubled over in laughter, he looked around in bewilderment .
Following the deaths of Dale Earnhardt and ARCA driver Blaise Alexander this season, NASCAR chose to mandate the use of head and neck restraints. At the time, Stewart was the lone driver remaining who had failed to incorporate the use of such devices voluntarily.
He was quite vocal in not wanting to adhere to the rule, and even manned his ride the following week at Talladega Superspeedway without one. Much to his chagrin, NASCAR said use it or park it.
Stewart agreed, but still wasn’t happy. He has continued development of his own device, and hopes to develop a comfortable alternative to the HANS or Hutchens device.
He seems to be getting more comfortable by the day.
