It's a dilemma that Tony Stewart faces that isn't going away anytime soon. And one that could have an impact on his immediate racing future.
Stewart was roundly criticized for his involvement in a post-race confrontation that included Brad Keselowski, Matt Kenseth and Denny Hamlin at the Bank of America 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday night.
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Stewart got caught up in the aftermath of incidents involving Keselowski and the two other drivers.
According to Fox Sports, after the race was over, Hamlin intentionally brake-check to show displeasure with Keselowski's racing over the final two laps of the race. Keselowski tried to retaliate right then and there by trying - but failing - to spin Hamlin's car.
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Keselowski changed his sights and went after Kenseth as the two cars enter Pit Road. Kenseth said his action was retaliation for Kenseth driving across the front of his car under caution with six laps to go. Then Keselowski accidentally ran into Tony Stewart, who in the heat of the moment, backed his car into Keselowski's car.
NASCAR officials fined Stewart $25,000 for his role in the incident with Kenseth.
According to The Sporting News, Tony Stewart fans rejoiced because the old temper that had vanished in the Aug. 9 tragedy when Stewart killed fellow driver Kevin Ward Jr., seemed to have reappeared.
Other sectors of society, however, were not as complimentary of Stewart's actions.
"After everything the sport has been through, after everything that Tony Stewart has been through, in the wake of that fatal accident (involving Ward), and now this nonsense going on, it's really unconscionable," USA TODAY Sports columnist Christine Brennan told Good Morning America.
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Keselowski never mentioned Stewart's name in his post-race comments; he was more consumed with Kenseth and Hamlin. No one inside NASCAR criticized Stewart for his actions.
In fact, if Stewart didn't retaliate, other drivers might think of him as a pushover who is no longer willing to defend himself and try to use that against him in later races.
But according to The Sporting News, NBC asked a legal analyst about the impact of Stewart's actions Saturday night on a potential civil suit from Ward's family.
Which begs the question: Can the old Stewart ever return 100 percent.
Do you think Tony Stewart's actions in backing up to hit Brad Keselowski's car showed poor judgment? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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