Tony Stewart didn't want the fawning tributes, but Kevin Harvick said the wishes of his teammate and friend shouldn't have been respected.
With two races remaining, Stewart's NASCAR Sprint Cup career is drawing to a muted close -- the most elaborate celebration of his legacy was a life-size bobblehead presented recently to the three-time champion by Texas Motor Speedway president Eddie Gossage.
Harvick isn't pleased about the lack of recognition for a sure-fire, first-ballot NASCAR Hall of Famer.
"[Stewart's legacy] is not going to be what it should be because I don't think anybody did a good job of giving him the credit he deserved throughout the year from the racetracks and from a sport standpoint," Harvick said Friday night after qualifying sixth for today's race at Phoenix International Raceway. "That's been very disappointing from my standpoint. I know that Tony probably would say that he didn't want that, but I don't think anybody's done a very good job for giving him the credit for the time he's put in and the success he's had in this sport."
Since the outset of his September 2015 announcement to reveal his impending retirement, Stewart has insisted he didn't want much fuss.
"You can save your gifts," Stewart said last year. "I've got enough rocking chairs at home as it is. I bought those when I wanted to go sit on my own rocking chair. You don't have to give me one.
"They can just send me a note from the track president and say, 'Hey, thank you,' and that'll be sufficient for me."
Harvick, though, has argued that Stewart's resume as an IndyCar champion who excelled in open-wheel and stock-car racing is deserving of the same recognition Jeff Gordon received last year for his retirement tour because of its wider impact on motor sports.
"It's been pretty disheartening to me to see the lack of credit that he's gotten week to week," Harvick said.
If tracks wanted to honor "Smoke," there likely will be many future opportunities. Stewart, who will start 25th today, won't disappear from view next year when he plans to run in various racing series and still attend many NASCAR races as a car owner.
Staying power
The Atlanta Braves agreed to a deal Friday with 44-year-old pitcher Bartolo Colon on a one-year, $12.5 million contract. Colon made his major league debut with the Cleveland Indians in 1997, and ESPN reporter Field Yates made an astute observation on Twitter.
"Bartolo Colon made his MLB debut the day Turner Field opened. He'll now pitch at the new Braves park. The dude outlasted a stadium."
The Braves will debut their 41,500-seat SunTrust Park on April 14 against the San Diego Padres.
Tie with Jordan
Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant scored 28 points Wednesday night against the Dallas Mavericks, tying him with Michael Jordan for the fourth-longest streak of games with at least 20 points at 72. The next night, an 18-point effort against the Denver Nuggets ensured he will remain tied with His Airness.
Wilt Chamberlain holds the record for 20-point games in a row at 126. The Stilt also holds the No. 2 spot at 92 games, and Oscar Robertson ran off a streak of 79.
SPORTS QUIZ
What year did Bartolo Colon win the Cy Young Award?
ANSWER
2005 with the Anaheim Angels, when he finished 21-8 with a 3.48 ERA.
Sports on 11/13/2016