If anyone was born to be a runner, it’s Tony Stewart. You only have to look at this Indiana native’s racing career to see why many compare him to AJ Foyt and Dale Earnhardt Sr. Comparisons notwithstanding, Stewart is a unique driver and forging his own page in racing history. careers.
Stewart began winning championships as a youngster when he won the Four-Cycle Rookie Junior Championship at the Columbus, Indiana fairgrounds in 1980. He followed that up with the International Karting Federation Championship in 1983. In 1987, Stewart won the National Championship of the World Karting Association. . Pretty impressive for a teenager barely old enough to have a driver’s license.
Stewart traded go-karts for open-wheelers in 1989. He raced Three-Quarter Midgets, entered the USAC ranks in 1991 and was crowned Rookie of the Year. Stewart won the USAC championship title in 1994 after winning five races in the National Midget category. The year 1995 was a phenomenal year for Tony Stewart. He was the first racer to be awarded the USAC Triple Crown for being the champion in the Sprint, National Midget and Silver Crown Series.
Tony joined Team Menard to drive in the Indy Racing League in 1996. Tony finished the season with the Rookie of the Year title and an eighth-place finish in points. Typical Tony Stewart, he won the Indy Racing League Championship in 1997. Indy cars weren’t the only thing occupying Stewart’s time. He also drove in the Busch Series for Joe Gibbs Racing.
Stewart entered the NASCAR Winston Cup Series as a full-time driver for Joe Gibbs in 1999. The racing world took notice of Stewart when he qualified second for the first race of the ’99 season, the legendary Daytona 500. Tony Stewart finished his first season and was crowned Rookie of the Year with a fourth-place finish in the standings. This was the best result by a rookie driver in nearly two decades.
Tony finished seventh in the standings in 2000 and second in 2001. Tony Stewart was a man on a mission and was crowned the NASCAR Winston Cup Champion in 2002. Stewart showed the world what his father, Nelson, had known since Tony was child. Tony was born to sit behind the wheel.
Tony Stewart’s career has not been without controversy. His dry sense of humor has confused many and his competitive streak often makes others perceive him as aloof. Stewart has a short fuse, and the Nascar penalty book can attest to that fact. However, the 2004 racing season has brought a calmer Tony Stewart to the fore. His desire to win hasn’t diminished and the drivers know Stewart is a force to be reckoned with on the track. However, Tony seems to be more relaxed off the track. He attests to this by returning to his hometown and living in his old childhood home.
Tony Stewart is in the prime of his career and will undoubtedly have more championships under his belt before all is said and done. In his spare time, he can be found on various circuits around the country doing what he loves the most. Careers.
by Wendy Jackson for RacerWeek.com
