NASCAR WCUP: Stewart and Crew Chief React to Race Postponement

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

September 15, 2001

ATLANTA (Sept. 15, 2001) - NASCAR postponed this Sunday's New Hampshire 300 at New Hampshire International Speedway in Loudon to Fri., Nov. 23 in wake of Tuesday's terrorist attacks on The World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

Tony Stewart and Greg Zipadelli, driver and crew chief, respectively, on the #20 Home Depot Pontiac in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, offered their reactions to NASCAR's decision.

TONY STEWART: "Normally, I'll race anywhere, anyplace at anytime. But nothing's been normal since Tuesday morning. NASCAR made the right decision to postpone this Sunday's race at New Hampshire because there are a lot more important things going on in the world right now. I'm still in shock, to be honest, of what has happened, just like everyone else.

"I don't believe that we should go hide in a corner or something, because that's exactly what these terrorists would want us to do. But taking this weekend off was definitely the right thing to do. It'll give everyone some time to heal before we start returning to our way of life."

GREG ZIPADELLI: "It was definitely the right thing to do. There's a lot happening in the Northeast as everyone deals with this tragedy, and we didn't need to be up there putting any more pressure on the situation. All of our planes didn't need to be flying through that area, and the police up there didn't need to deal with any of the extra crowds our race would've brought.

"I'm not one who believes that we should lie down and stop going about our business. But at this time, we do need to stop for a couple of days and regroup. Racing just isn't all that important right now.

"We don't need to tie up New Hampshire police officers and fireman with a race at Loudon when they could be helping their fellow officers in New York City. We'd just be a burden, and no one needs that right now. This is a time to mourn and be with our families."

Text provided by Mike Arning

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