Distractions come in various forms. Whether we're using a television show to distract us from a household chore, we use a household chore to distract us from doing homework ... whatever it is, it keeps our attention too divided to be our best.

What does this have to do with NASCAR? Well, it was just announced that Tony Stewart is leaving Joe Gibbs Racing to co-own, and drive, a team with Haas-CNC Racing. Now that is a distraction.

So if distractions are designed to deflect our focus from the task at hand, it would seemingly coincide that I don't think much of Mr. Stewart for this weekend, or the rest of the season. And if NASCAR were a seven-day-a-week sport with races everyday, that may be the case. But Stewart need only focus on racing two or three days a week. Friday is qualifying and usually the first practices. Saturday is a practice, but only sometimes. And Sunday is the race. On the other days, Stewart can dive into his new team, assuming his sponsorship responsibilities allow it. When it comes to those four wheels spinning around a concrete (or asphalt) surface, "Smoke" will be seeing clear. … MORE

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