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Patrick is among the drivers confused about NASCAR’s fines.
USA TODAY Sports

Danica Patrick is among those confused about what drivers can and can’t say in the wake of Tony Stewart’s $35,000 fine.

Stewart was fined last week after speaking out about NASCAR’s lack of a lug nut policy, which he called unsafe. NASCAR then changed its rule on Monday, but it kept the fine in place.

And Patrick, who drives for the team co-owned by Stewart, wasn’t too happy with the decision.

“I feel like my answer should be I have no idea what I can say that’s not going to get me fined, other than nothing,” Patrick told USA TODAY Sports. “That’s my answer. That’s actually how mad I am about it, too.

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“It’s very hard to know what you can do or say anymore that’s not going to get you in trouble – depending on the day or time or whatever.”

Patrick said she felt bad for Stewart and added that NASCAR seems to treat drivers like employees rather than the independent contractors they really are.

“It seems extremely inappropriate to go ahead and follow through with (changes) and require five lug nuts but still maintain a fine for someone who questioned the very topic,” she said.

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Many teams had experienced loose tires this season, but the trend was growing at races before Stewart spoke out. He expressed concern that a wheel could come off in-race, injuring a driver or fan. Crews have been self-policing lug nuts since NASCAR cut back on the number of officials on pit road in 2015. Some teams were putting as few as three lug nuts on a tire to get a quicker stop and pick up some spots on the track.

Patrick has been fined $70,000 by NASCAR in the last five months. In November, she was fined $50,000 for retaliating against David Gilliland during a race at Martinsville Speedway. Last month, she was fined $20,000 for walking toward Kasey Kahne’s moving car after he wrecked her at Auto Club Speedway.

Follow Gluck on Twitter @jeff_gluck

PHOTOS: Danica Patrick through the years

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Danica Patrick, born March 25, 1982, in Beloit, Wis., made her NASCAR Nationwide Series debut in 2010 and her Sprint Cup debut in 2012.
Danica Patrick flips the coin at the 2015 GoDaddy Bowl
Danica Patrick finished a Sprint Cup career-best seventh at the 5-Hour Energy 400 at Kansas Speedway on May 10, 2014.
Danica Patrick (10) became the first female driver to lead laps at Talladega Superspeedway during the Aaron's 499 on May 4, 2014.
Danica Patrick holds Kevin Harvick's son Keelan before the Aaron's 499 at Talladega Superspeedway on May 4, 2014.
Danica Patrick and country singer Trace Adkins hosted the American Country Awards at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas on Dec. 10, 2013.
Danica Patrick (10), the first woman to start from a Cup pole, leads Jeff Gordon (24) to the green flag at the 2013 Daytona 500.
By virtue of winning the pole, Danica Patrick got to pick the first pit stall for the 2013 Daytona 500.
Danica Patrick waves to the crowd as she is introduced before the 2013 Daytona 500.
Danica Patrick waves to her fans after making NASCAR history by becoming the first woman to win a Sprint Cup pole. Patrick qualified first for the 2013 Daytona 500 on Feb. 17.
Danica Patrick poses with the pole winner sign after becoming the first woman to win the Daytona 500 pole position on Feb. 17, 2013.
Danica Patrick is nothing but smiles as she addresses the media after winning the pole position for the 2013 Daytona 500.
Danica Patrick was the eighth driver out on the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500. She posted a speed of 196.434 mph, which held up throughout the day.
Danica Patrick prepares before heading out onto the track during qualifying for the 2013 Daytona 500.
Danica Patrick walks from her hauler to her garage during practice for the Daytona 500 on Feb. 17, 2013.
Danica Patrick and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. went public with their romantic crelationship in early 2013 after rumors swirled about the fellow Sprint Cup rookies.
Danica Patrick applies makeup before a television interview during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 14, 2013.
Danica Patrick gets a hand from her crew as she prepares to take the track for qualifying practice for the 2013 Daytona 500.
Danica Patrick has formed a tight bond with her team owner and fellow competitor Tony Stewart.
In preparation for her first full season as a Sprint Cup driver, Danica Patrick speaks with the press during the NASCAR Media Tour on Jan. 21, 2013.
Danica Patrick high-fives fans prior to the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Phoenix International Raceway.
Danica Patrick (10) lands on top of Paul Menard during a crash on the final lap of the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Danica Patrick behind the wheel during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Phoenix International Raceway.
Danica Patrick is introduced before the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway. Patrick would go on to finish a career- and season-best 24th.
Danica Patrick takes on tires and fuel during a pit stop at the Nov. 4 AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race. Patrick was one of 25 drivers to finish on the lead lap.
Danica Patrick finished 24th at the AAA Texas 500 Sprint Cup race at Texas Motor Speedway on Nov. 4.
Danica Patrick waves to the fans during driver introductions at the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sept 2, 2012 in Hampton, Georgia.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick during qualifying for the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Aug 31, 2012.
Danica Patrick presents the award for Best Team onstage with NBA player Steve Nash at the 2012 ESPY Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A on July 11, 2012.
Danica Patrick, driver of the #10 GoDaddy.com Chevrolet, leads a group of cars during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series AAA 400 at Dover International Speedway on Sept 30, 2012.
Pat Summitt, left, head coach emeritus of the Tennessee women's basketball team, greets Danica Patrick before the Food City 250 NASCAR Nationwide Series auto race on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Bristol, Tenn. Summitt was the grand marshal of the race.
Danica Patrick starts her car prior to practice for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series IRWIN Tools Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug 24, 2012 in Bristol, Tennessee.
Danica Patrick sits down for an interview with Pardon the Interruption co-hosts Tony Kornheiser, left, and Michael Wilbon on Feb 21, 2012.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick crashes during the IRWIN Tools Night Race a Bristol Motor Speedway on Aug 25, 2012.
Danica Patrick waves to fans during driver introductions prior to the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 26, 2012 in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Danica Patrick waves before throwing out a ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game between the Houston Astros and the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Sunday, July 1, 2012.
Danica Patrick greets fans on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct 12, 2012 in Charlotte, N.C.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick (left) leads a pack of cars during the AAA 400 at Dover Speedway on Sept 30, 2012.
NASCAR Sprint Cup driver Danica Patrick (10) talks to the media during practice for the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on May 11, 2012.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Danica Patrick during practice for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2012.
Danica Patrick during practice for the AdvoCare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Aug. 31, 2012.