By Dustin Long

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- NASCAR won't discipline Tony Stewart after investigating an incident between the driver and a fan Wednesday night at Daytona International Speedway.

Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president, said series officials spoke with the fan and determined "it's over as far as we're concerned.''

The Daytona Beach News-Journal reported Friday that race fan Pamela Williams said Stewart cussed at her. He gave a different version.

At issue was what happened as both headed toward an infield tunnel. Williams told the newspaper a car behind her flashed its lights at her, so she waved at the car to slow down.

Stewart said after passing the Williams' car, she began to tailgate him before passing him. Stewart said that Williams gave him the middle finger when she passed him. Stewart followed her to her RV lot where a discussion took place. She claimed that Stewart yelled at her.

Three event staffers told the News-Journal that Stewart was upset. One staffer told the paper: "He pulled up right behind her trailer hitch, got out and all of a sudden started to swear, call her all kinds of stuff.''

Stewart described the discussion to the newspaper this way: "I go "What's your problem?' She says, "I think I know who you are.' I said, 'It doesn't matter who I am, what's your problem?' She wouldn't tell us. And that was it.''

Moving ahead

Dale Earnhardt Jr. walked away from reporters after he was asked about comments his former crew chief, Tony Eury Sr., made Thursday.

Eury said that the offseason swap of crews and cars between Earnhardt and teammate Michael Waltrip was "a bad move.''

Asked about Eury's comments, Earnhardt said: "That's history. It's all in the past.'' He walked away.

New team

Valvoline will partner with Evernham Motorsports to field a car next season. The car will be sponsored by Valvoline and carry the No. 10 with more sponsorship being sought. No driver has been announced.

Car owner Ray Evernham said that he'll also still run Bill Elliott in selected races next season. Evernham owns the cars for Kasey Kahne and Jeremy Mayfield.

No Toyota

Friday was the deadline for manufacturers to submit new cars or new parts to NASCAR for next season. Chevrolet submitted a new Monte Carlo. Ford submitted a new car to replace the Taurus. Toyota, rumored that it would present a car for the Busch series, did not present anything. The highest level in NASCAR that Toyota competes is the Craftsman Truck series.

"We had never expected anything from Toyota,'' said Jim Hunter, NASCAR vice president.

Channel surfing

NBC and TNT broadcast the second half of the season. Tonight's race from Daytona will be on NBC. The network will have a new anchor as Bill Weber moves up from pit road. He replaces Allen Bestwick, who becomes the network's lead pit reporter.

The rest of the NBC announcer lineup remains unchanged with former series champion Benny Parsons and Wally Dallenbach as analysts. Dave Burns, Marty Snider and Matt Yocum will report from the pits.

Stewart claims pole

Tony Stewart won his first pole of the NASCAR Nextel Cup season and will lead the field to the green flag in tonight's Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.

Stewart qualified at 185.582 mph. He comes off a victory at Infineon Raceway last weekend, his first Cup win of the season.

"It shows what momentum can do for you,'' Stewart said. "Hopefully, we can keep that momentum going.'' Pit stops

Sterling Marlin turned 48 on Thursday. ... Richard Petty turns 68 today.