Lug nuts and $35,000 fine still the talk around Tony Stewart

Apr 29, 2016 - 8:23 PM TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) It's been an action-packed week for Tony Stewart following his return to a race car after a back injury sidelined him the first eight races of the season.

First, he was fined $35,000 by NASCAR for criticizing the series about safety surrounding lug nuts. He then ran his first race since November and participated in the final tire test of his career over two days this week at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Now he's scheduled for a short weekend at Talladega Superspeedway, where Ty Dillon will be his relief driver to help Stewart avoid hurting his back again.

But all the talk Friday was about his fine, which wasn't lifted even after NASCAR heeded to his concerns.

Stewart said he still doesn't understand what he said to warrant the penalty.