Anthony Wayne Stewart (born May 20, 1971), nicknamed "Smoke",[2] is an American professionalauto racing driver, and formerNASCAR team co-owner ofStewart–Haas Racing. He currently competes in theNHRA Top Fuel class forTony Stewart Racing.[3] He is a four-timeNASCAR Cup Series champion, winning two as a driver (2002, 2005), one as owner/driver (2011), and one as an owner (2014).
Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won racing titles inIndy,midget,sprint, andUSAC Silver Crown cars.[4] He is the only driver in history to win a championship in both IndyCar and NASCAR.[5] Stewart became known for his hot temper and for his sarcasm with the media.
He last competed full-time in theNASCARSprint Cup Series (now known as the NASCAR Cup Series) during the 2016 season, driving the No. 14Chevrolet SS for his team,Stewart–Haas Racing, under crew chiefMike Bugarewicz. From 1999 to 2008, he drove the No. 20Joe Gibbs Racing car, under crew chiefGreg Zipadelli withThe Home Depot as the primary sponsor. While driving for car ownerJoe Gibbs, Stewart won two Cup Series championships in 2002 and 2005. In 2011, Stewart became the firstowner-driver sinceAlan Kulwicki to win the Cup Series championship.[6] Stewart is the only driver to win the Cup Series championship under the old points system and thechase playoff format, and is the only driver to win the title under three different sponsorships (Winston in2002,Nextel in2005, andSprint in2011). He is also the first driver in the Cup Series to win the championship by a tiebreaker.[6] On May 22, 2019, Stewart was voted into theNASCAR Hall of Fame,[7] and on January 31, 2020, was inducted alongside the 11th Hall of Fame class.[8] On November 21, 2021, he married NHRA Top Fuel Drag RacerLeah Pruett.[9] He replaced Pruett in Top Fuel for the 2024 season as Pruett stepped aside to start a family with Stewart.
Tony Stewart got his first competitivego kart inWestport, Indiana in 1979.[10] In 1980, he won his first championship.[10] He grew up racinggo karts and was successful very early, winning aWorld Karting Association championship in 1987. He moved up to theUnited Midget Racing Association (UMRA) where he raced TQ (three quarter) midgets until 1991 when he again moved up this time to theUnited States Auto Club (USAC) series with the help of one of his karting sponsors and friendMark Dismore. Stewart was the USAC Rookie of the Year in 1991, USAC National Midget Series Champion in 1994 and 1995, and USAC Silver Crown Series champion in 1995.
In 1995, Stewart became the first driver to win USAC's version of theTriple Crown, earning championships in all three of USAC's major divisions, National Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown. His winning theHut Hundred and4 Crown Nationals were the highlights of the year. With the advent of theIndy Racing League (IRL), which intended to provide opportunities for grassroots racers, Stewart found his way into Indy car racing; after unsuccessful negotiations withA. J. Foyt Racing, he signed early in 1996 forTeam Menard as a last-minute addition for the abridged three-race initial season. In his Indy car debut atWalt Disney World Speedway, Stewart led 37 laps and finished a close second to fellow rookieBuzz Calkins. He also led laps atPhoenix in the early stages before a myriad of pit stop woes and mechanical issues led to his early exit from the race.
For hisIndianapolis 500 debut, he initially qualified on the outside of the front row, but the disqualification ofArie Luyendyk's time and the death of his teammateScott Brayton a week later propelled Stewart to the pole position. After leading 44 laps, his race ended before the halfway point due to a malfunctioning pop-off valve, which dropped him to 8th in the final point standings. When Stewart was not racing IndyCars, he raced stock cars, which he had signed to do beforehand. In 1996, he made his NASCARBusch Series debut, driving for car owner Harry Rainer. In nine races, he had a best finish of 16th place. Stewart had more success in a one-time ride in theTruck Series with Mueller Brothers Racing, where he finished 10th.
Stewart was poised to improve his IRL standing in the1996-97 season but at times he struggled to finish. He failed to finish the first three races of a ten-race schedule, but recovered to come in second atPhoenix. At that year'sIndy 500, Stewart's car was good enough to enable him to win his first IRL race, leading 64 laps. However, he trailed off near the end of the race and settled for 5th place. He finally got his first career win atPikes Peak, where he led all but seven laps of a 200 lap race. He became the leading contender for the series championship after a bad slump knocked points leaderDavey Hamilton out of first place. Despite an average end to his season, finishing seventh, fourteenth, and eleventh, and five DNFs, Stewart did just enough to beat Hamilton for the IRL title. He also raced in several midget events, finishing thirteenth and eleventh in the 1997 and 1998 USAC national points, and winning the Copper Classic both years. Between his time in USAC and the IRL, Stewart earned the nickname of "Smoke", first for slipping the right rear tire during dirt races and then for blowing his engine often during his 1997 championship run.[11]
As he had done the previous year, he raced a handful of Busch Series races in 1998. This time, he was racing forJoe Gibbs,NFLHall of Fame head coach of theWashington Redskins, who was having major success withBobby Labonte in the Winston Cup Series. When Stewart was able to finish races, he finished in the top-ten and had a third-place finish at Charlotte. Stewart so impressed Gibbs that he was signed to drive the majority of the Busch schedule in 1998 to go along with a full-time IRL schedule. The double duty did not affect his performance in either series. In the IRL, he won twice and finished third in the championship. His season was a disappointment as he finished last in the Indy 500 because of an engine failure.
On the Busch side, he finished in the top-five five times in 22 starts. He came close to winning his first Busch Series race atRockingham, but was beaten on a last-lap pass byMatt Kenseth. Stewart finished a solid second place in second (of 31) starts, ahead of six drivers with more starts, and had an average finish that was comparable to some of the series' top-ten finishers. Gibbs had enough confidence in Stewart that he was moved up to a Cup ride for the 1999 season. With that move, Stewart ended his three-year career as a full-time IRL driver.
After transitioning to the Cup level, Stewart continued racing in the Busch Series on a part-time basis. On August 16, 2005, Stewart was fined $5,000 and placed on probation until December 31 for hittingBrian Vickers after the completion of the Busch Series Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen. He was driving a Busch car owned byKevin Harvick Incorporated at the time.
In 2013, Stewart renewed his RCR deal to drive the No. 33 Oreos/Ritz Chevrolet. He won the openingNationwide Series event at Daytona, overtakingRegan Smith on the last lap, but his win was overshadowed by worry because Smith had been turned and in the resulting crash,Kyle Larson had flown into the catch fence, completely slicing off the front part of his car and injuring 28 spectators in the grandstands (two critically). The next day in theDaytona 500, Stewart's day ended on lap 35 when he was caught up in an early crash withKevin Harvick andKasey Kahne; this would allow him to finish 41st. He rebounded slightly with an eighth-place finish at Phoenix and an eleventh-place finish in Las Vegas. At Bristol, Stewart blew his tire on lap 3 and cut a brake line; he came back out over 20 laps down, unable to contend for the victory.
In 2020, Stewart planned to make his return to the now-Xfinity Series for thePennzoil 150 on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway's road course, but plans were called off due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[12][13]
After competing part-time during the1996 NASCAR Busch Series season with the team, Stewart had planned to move up to the Winston Cup Series in 1997 driving for Ranier-Walsh Racing;[14] however the deal fell through when Stewart decided he was not yet ready for the move.[15]
Stewart started his NASCAR Cup career in 1999 with a bang, as he qualified his No. 20The Home Depot-sponsoredPontiac on the outside pole for theDaytona 500. He showed courage in one of theGatorade Twin 125s when he was involved in a battle withDale Earnhardt for the lead in the last laps. Though Earnhardt came out on top, Stewart had nonetheless impressed quite a few people with his performance. In the 500, Stewart ran near the front until problems with the car relegated him to a 28th-place finish.
Stewart spent most of his rookie season wowing people, as his car was often in the top-five. He won a pair of pole positions atshort tracks, and set a series record for wins by a rookie with three—Richmond, Phoenix, and Homestead—surpassingDavey Allison's record set in 1987[16] (Stewart's record would hold until 2025, whenShane van Gisbergen won four times).[17] He finished his first Cup season with three wins, twelve top-fives, 21 top-tens, two poles, only one DNF, 1,226 laps led, a 10.26 average finish, and a fourth-place finish in the point standings, making it the highest points finish by a rookie in the modern era (which held until 2006 when his future teammateDenny Hamlin finished third) and only bested byJames Hylton, who finished second as a first-timer in 1966.[16] Not surprisingly, he ran away with the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year award.
Stewart also attempted to race 1,100 miles (1,800 km) onMemorial Day weekend, as he competed in both the Indy 500 during the day and theCoca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, N.C., at night. He finished in the top-ten at both races: ninth in the1999 Indianapolis 500 and fourth at Charlotte. However, he only completed 1,090 miles (1,750 km) of the scheduled 1,100, as he finished four laps down at Indianapolis.
Stewart showed no signs of a sophomore slump in the2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, winning a series-high[18] six races (Martinsville, New Hampshire, Michigan, Homestead, and both Dover races). However, he fell to sixth place in the standings because of a handful of DNFs and an increase in the number of competitive drivers, among them his teammate Labonte, who won the Cup championship. Stewart also began to get some bad press for his on-track incidents. The best known of these came atWatkins Glen when he andJeff Gordon tangled and crashed. Stewart made his displeasure toward Gordon known in an obscenity-laden tirade. Stewart won theTurkey Night Grand Prix midget car event atIrwindale, California, which he called, “one of his greatest wins ever."[11]
Stewart got off to a scary start for the 2001 season: during theDaytona 500, he was involved in an 18-car crash on lap 173. The crash began on the back straightaway and also collectedBobby Labonte and his brotherTerry,Rusty Wallace,Steve Park,Jason Leffler,Jerry Nadeau,Buckshot Jones,Andy Houston,Ward Burton,Mark Martin,Kenny Wallace,Jeff Gordon,Elliott Sadler,Dale Jarrett,Jeff Burton,John Andretti, andRobby Gordon. Stewart took the worst of it, as his car turned backward after being hit by Ward Burton, pushed over Robby Gordon, then flipped twice in midair, hooked Bobby Labonte's hood, and came to a stop in the infield. Stewart was transported to Halifax Medical Center after complaints of discomfort in his shoulder. Stewart's crash was greatly overshadowed byDale Earnhardt'sfatal crash on the last lap. Stewart recovered to win three more races at Richmond, Infineon, and Bristol and, as he had done before, he ran near the front most of the season. Statistically, he had a worse season than 2000, but he finished 2nd to Gordon in the final points standings.
For the second time, Stewart ran the "Memorial Day Double", in spite of a seventeen-minute rain delay atIndianapolis. He finished sixth in theIndianapolis 500 and third in theCoca-Cola 600, running all 1,100 miles (1,800 km) of the two races.[19]
The 2001 season was not without controversy. Jeff Gordon pulled a "bump and run" on Stewart to gain a better finishing position atBristol and Stewart retaliated in a post-race incident by spinning Gordon out on pit road. Stewart was fined and placed on NASCARprobation. He got into much bigger trouble in thePepsi 400 atDaytona, where he confronted a Winston Cup official after ignoring ablack flag, which he had received for an illegal pass onDave Blaney.[20] In the same race, he had an incident with aWinston-Salem Journal reporter in which he kicked away a tape recorder.[21][22] He confronted that same official during theTalladega race after he refused to wear a mandated head-and-neck restraint. Stewart was not allowed to practice until he wore one, and only managed to do so after his crew chiefGreg Zipadelli intervened. Stewart's fines and periods of probation resulting from these incidents have earned him a reputation of having a hot temper, and he became known as NASCAR's "bad boy".
Stewart started the 2002 season even more inauspiciously than last year's, as theDaytona 500 lasted just two laps for him due to a blown engine. He went on to win twice early in the season at Atlanta and Richmond, but he was only seventh in the points standings at the season's halfway point. At Darlington, Stewart was involved in a multi-car wreck in whichJimmy Spencer's car t-boned Stewart's car. While Stewart was sent to the hospital following the crash, he was able to start the next race at Bristol. Due to the injuries sustained at Darlington, he was relieved during the race byTodd Bodine. The second half of his season was plagued by an altercation with a photographer after theBrickyard 400. He was fined $50,000 by NASCAR and penalized with a 25-point deduction. However, despite the controversy, he went on to win the very next week at Watkins Glen. Strangely enough, this race also ended in controversy, when it was revealed that he had jumped the restart and, despite the infraction, officials upheld Stewart's win. This win proved to be a turning point in Stewart's season; he went on a hot streak following Watkins Glen, and despite not winning any more races that season his consistent top 10 finishes, combined with his rivals running into trouble, allowed him to claim the points lead at Talledega. At the end of the season, Stewart held offMark Martin to win his first Winston Cup championship. This was Stewart's last season driving a Pontiac.
As the defending champion, Stewart managed to have a relatively incident-free 2003 season. Joe Gibbs Racing changed manufacturers, so he and Labonte were now drivingChevrolets instead ofPontiacs. Stewart had his worst Cup season at this point up until 2006, but it was still good enough for seventh in the points standings. He only won two races that season at Pocono and Charlotte but he led more laps than he did last year and was highly competitive in the final races of the season.
In January 2004, Stewart teamed withAndy Wallace and Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a Boss Motorsports Chevrolet to take fourth in the24 Hours of Daytona sports car endurance race. The result does not show the trio's performance, however. They had dominated the race until the last two hours when the suspension cracked. With 15 minutes left in the race and Stewart driving, one of the rear wheels came off, finally ending their run. In addition to placing fourth overall, the trio placed third in theDaytona Prototype class.
Stewart started on a higher note in the 2004 season as he finished second in the Gatorade 125. In theDaytona 500, he and Dale Earnhardt Jr. both dominated the race, leading 156 laps overall (98 for Stewart). Stewart was in contention to win it, only to lose the lead to Earnhardt Jr. with twenty laps to go. That would be Stewart's best finish in the Daytona 500.
At Infineon, Stewart was involved in an altercation with rookie driverBrian Vickers. On lap 88 of 110, Stewart got spun out by Vickers as retaliation for an earlier collision in the race. Stewart replied by confronting Vickers after the race and throwing a punch through Vickers' window. Stewart was fined $50,000, stripped of 25 driver & owner points, and put on probation for the rest of 2004.
The season was highlighted with Stewart's first win coming atChicagoland. This win was not without controversy as on a mid-race restart, he turned Kasey Kahne into the wall, which eventually led to an altercation between his and Kahne's pit crews. Stewart felt very sick during the race at Watkins Glen International and nearly withdrew from it due to food poisoning, stomach cramps, a headache, and a sinus infection. He ultimately relented and ran the race, dominating and holding off Canadian road ringerRon Fellows for the win. He qualified fourth for the first-everChase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. However, an incident at the first race of The Chase atLoudon ended his hopes of a second Cup championship. Stewart got collected in a multi-car crash, which started when Robby Gordon repaidGreg Biffle some retaliation, and Stewart t-boned Biffle. Stewart had to make repairs and lost three laps. He finished two laps down, causing him to lose his shot at his second championship. Gordon did not get off the hook however and was penalized with a $15,000 fine and a 50-point deduction for his actions.
After losing his bid for the championship title, Stewart finished sixth in the Nextel Cup point standings.
In November 2004, Stewart became the owner of one of the most legendary short tracks in America,Eldora Speedway. Located inNew Weston, Ohio, Eldora is a half-mile dirt track known to many as "Auto Racing's Showcase Since 1954." Stewart began racing there in 1991 and continues racing in special events alongside other Sprint Cup drivers and dirt track legends.
2005 was one of Stewart's most successful years in the Nextel Cup Series as he won his second Cup title. He won five races at Infineon, Daytona, New Hampshire, Watkins Glen (which gave him a sweep of the road course races for the year and a record three straight road course wins) and Indianapolis, his hometown track (in a race that Stewart said he would give up his championship to win, and took with it the No. 1 seed heading into NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel Cup ten-race playoff).
Following his win in the Pepsi 400, Stewart began climbing the fence separating the fans from the race track after each victory, borrowingIndyCar Series driverHélio Castroneves' trademark move.[23] After winning the 2009 All-Star race, Stewart was quoted as saying "I'm too damn fat to be climbing fences," and recently purchased $17,000 worth ofexercise equipment to remedy the problem. It also led to sponsorThe Home Depot cashing in on Stewart's success with some promotions reminiscent of Stewart's Eldora Speedway drivers. After his second full climb of the fence in Loudon, N.H., they ran a discount on ladders and fencing at the stores with a campaign named, "Hey Tony, we've got ladders", where anyone who presented the advertisement in national newspapers in their stores earned the discount. After his victory in Indianapolis, The Home Depot presented fans who presented the advertisement of his Allstate 400 win with a discount on purchasing bricks. He mentioned in a press release from his sponsor, "I plan to keep winning races and helping to drive down the cost of home improvement for The Home Depot customers."[citation needed]
On November 20, 2005, Stewart won his second Cup Championship, joiningJeff Gordon as the only active, full-time drivers at the time to have won multiple championships.Jimmie Johnson afterward did so from 2006 to 2010. In victory circle, Stewart had said that he loved winning his 2005 championship better than his 2002 one because his 2005 season was more well-behaved than 2002. At an age of 34, this made Stewart one of the youngest drivers to win multiple championships (with Johnson joining this category as he won his five straight titles while in his early 30s) and to date, he is still the only driver to have won championships under both the Chase and non-Chase formats. During the 2005 season, Stewart won a total of $13,578,168, including $6,173,633 for winning the championship, the largest season total in NASCAR history.
Stewart's 2006 season had up and down notes. He had competitive cars and scored early wins at Daytona andMartinsville. However, he also had strings of bad luck. He also suffered a shoulder injury due to two heavy crashes in both the Busch and Cup races at Charlotte during the Memorial Day Weekend races (Stewart's Busch car hit the Turn 4 wall so hard it even knocked the rear end off the car). During the Dover race, he was substituted byRicky Rudd and, in later weeks, had to drive in pain.
Additionally, he has once again been involved in several on-track controversies.
Following a rough Bud Shootout on February 12, Stewart expressed concern to the media about the possibility of aggressive driving resulting in the serious injury or death of a driver. It came during a week in which the racing world remembered the fifth anniversary of Dale Earnhardt's death. Just a few days later, during theDaytona 500, Stewart was involved in several incidents withJeff Gordon,Kyle Busch, andMatt Kenseth, whom he chased halfway across the track to run into the grass. "He has no room to complain," Stewart said of his brush with Kenseth. "He started it, and I finished it".
On May 20, during NASCAR's All Star Race, Stewart and Kenseth wrecked again. Each driver claimed it was the other one's fault with Stewart saying, "if (Kenseth) thinks it's my fault and I (caused the wreck) he's screwed up in his head." Following the wreck, several media outlets proclaimed the new Stewart-Kenseth rivalry as must-see TV.[24] The so-called rivalry was short-lived as Kenseth and Stewart participated as friends in a joint promotional tour for DeWalt and The Home Depot;[25] Kenseth also appeared in September at Stewart'sEldora Speedway in the NEXTEL PRELUDE with NASCAR drivers, as well as the ARCA Truck Series event there.
On July 1, Stewart dominated the Pepsi 400 but after a pit stop seemed like an unlikely contender for the win. However, Stewart amazed the audience when in the final 10 laps he drove from 14th up to second place, and passedBoris Said to take the lead and win. After the race, Stewart said he no longer wanted to climb the catch-fencing at Daytona because of the fans crowding him but he later changed his mind on that thought.
On July 23, Stewart once again was at the center of a media storm. On lap 31 of thePennsylvania 500, Stewart was accidentally squeezed against the wall byClint Bowyer. Stewart responded by waving his hand in anger, then purposely hitting Bowyer's car. This contact sent Bowyer spinning down the front stretch where he collided withCarl Edwards. Stewart was promptly held one lap byNASCAR for rough driving. He did however pass leaderRyan Newman to get back on the lead lap and eventually rallied to finish 7th and get back in the top 10 in the point standings. After initially refusing to take responsibility for the incident he apologized the next day.[26]
Stewart missed the cut to qualify for the 2006 Chase for the Nextel Cup by sixteen points,[27] becoming the first defending champion to miss the Chase the following year.[28] He finished poorly atRichmond after wrecking his primary car in practice, and was displaced in the top ten byKasey Kahne. As a result, he finished the 2006 season 11th in points, his worst thus far in his career, as he had completed each of his seven previous seasons in the top ten in points. Commenting on not being in the 2006 Chase, he says: "It lets us have the ability to take chances and try things ... that we've been wanting to try but just haven't had the luxury to do it. If we were in the Chase we wouldn't have that ability".[29] Stewart won three races in the 2006 Chase (Kansas,Atlanta, andTexas).
The season was not unkind to Stewart, however. He was a participant in the thirtieth season ofIROC and won two of the four races (Texas, and the Daytona road course) on his way to capturing the series championship. He won a million dollars for the effort but made an offer to return his prize money if IROC would hold one of its events at his Eldora Speedway. This offer was not entertained as IROC folded in 2007. In addition, Stewart's three wins in the Chase races gave him five total for the season, tying him with Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick for second-most in Nextel Cup behind Kasey Kahne's six.
Stewart started the 2007 season by winning his secondChili Bowl Nationals midget car feature. Stewart started off the Daytona Speedweeks with a win in the 2007Budweiser Shootout. It was his third win in the race.[30] He also won his qualifying race for the Daytona 500.
On lap 152 of the Daytona 500, the rear of Stewart's car slid up the track and, when he tried to cut down the track, he smacked the front ofKurt Busch's car knocking both of them out of the race. Stewart and the Busch brothers (Kurt andKyle) were the three leaders for the majority of the race.
On March 22, 2007, it was announced that Stewart would be on the cover of the official NASCAR video gameNASCAR 08, published byElectronic Arts. This would be the third time this honor was given to Stewart (2001 &2003).
In his firstCar of Tomorrow race with theImpala SS, Stewart was dominant atBristol, leading 257 of 504 laps (green-white-checker finish), before he experienced a fuel pump problem. In his thirdCar of Tomorrow race atPhoenix, Stewart lead a race high 132 laps, but a late race caution moved Stewart to second, where he finished behindJeff Gordon. In the following week, Stewart implied the cautions were "bogus" and that NASCAR is "rigged likeprofessional wrestling".[31]
On June 4, 2007, Stewart and Kurt Busch had another altercation on pit road in theAutism Speaks 400 atDover. Kurt Busch passed Stewart on the inside and then slid up, which caused contact, sending him into the wall, knocking out Busch, but with Stewart staying in the race. Initially, it was thought that Stewart intentionally crashed Busch due to hard feelings over their accident at Daytona that year. Under the caution, Stewart was on pit road and his crew was surveying the massive damage he received from the crash; when an enraged Busch pulled alongside and gave Stewart a profane gesture to express his feelings over the incident. One of Stewart's pit-crew members jumped out of the way of Busch's car to avoid being hit, while Busch was parked for the contact made on pit road. Busch would later be fined $100k for his actions by NASCAR, while Stewart got off with a pre-race warning from NASCAR before the following race at Pocono.
At the All-Star Race atCharlotte, he finished fifth behind Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, and Jeff Burton. At the Coca-Cola 600, Stewart finished sixth, after having to come into the pit for fuel. On July 15, 2007, Stewart led a race-high 108 laps and recorded his thirtieth career NEXTEL Cup win at theUSG Sheetrock 400 atJoliet.
On July 29, 2007, after leading a race-high 65 of 160 laps, Stewart won the Brickyard 400 again, just 45 minutes from where he grew up. This was his second win in the race at his favorite track. It was not without controversy though; Stewart made the winning pass by accidentally bending the rear ofKevin Harvick's car, causing Harvick to fall back quickly to seventh place by the time the checkers waved. Stewart apologized for the contact in victory lane and during the victory lane interview, Stewart was penalized 25 points and fined $25,000 for violating NASCAR's policy on the use of obscene language during interviews during the race. This was similar to 2004 whenDale Earnhardt Jr. used an obscenity in a post-race interview at Talladega and was knocked out of the points lead as a result of the penalty.
On August 12, 2007, he won theCenturion Boats at the Glen atWatkins Glen after Jeff Gordon spun his car around after wheel hopping in turn 1 with two laps to go. Carl Edwards briefly challenged Stewart on the final lap, but spun out into a pullover site sealing Stewart's win.[32]
AsJoe Gibbs Racing officially switched its manufacturer partnership fromChevrolet toToyota, Stewart began the 2008 season with a sixth place start in theDaytona 500. During this race, he was only able to come up with a third-place finish after being passed byRyan Newman andKurt Busch on the last lap. The finish of this race was somewhat like a repeat of theprevious year's Daytona 500, in which Stewart's close friendKevin Harvick passedMark Martin to win it.
On lap 109 of theUAW-Dodge 400, Stewart's car cut a tire and slammed hard into the turn 3 retaining wall. Although he climbed out under his own power, Stewart was transported by ambulance to the infield care center. Stewart had complained about a sore foot from a wreck that occurred the day before theNationwide Series race atLas Vegas. Stewart was later announced that he was okay and ripped onGoodyear for not bringing any quality tires.
With 3 laps to go in the 2008 Coca-Cola 600, Stewart cut a tire and saved it from contact with the wall. However, Stewart had to give up the lead to future race winnerKasey Kahne to make pit stops.
In theBest Buy 400, Stewart was involved in another crash withElliott Sadler, in which Sadler got turned byDavid Gilliland and car collected Stewart and 11 other cars; those includedDale Earnhardt Jr. andDenny Hamlin. Stewart, who was frustrated over his misfortune, sarcastically said, "I take 100 percent responsibility – it's my fault for being anywhere close to Elliott. If I'm within half a lap of him, I expect that to happen. It's my fault – I'm the one that hit him. When I hit him, it caused all the guys behind us to wreck, so it's my fault."
In July 2008, Stewart made a deal with car owner Gene Haas into a co-owning partnership in a racing organization called Stewart–Haas Racing for 2009 when he left Joe Gibbs Racing. Ryan Newman came to the meeting to make his deal with SHR officially signed earlier in the year.
On July 5, 2008, during theCoke Zero 400 atDaytona, Stewart started feeling ill and turned his car over to formerJoe Gibbs Racing teammateJ. J. Yeley, who took the car to a 20th-place finish after getting involved in two wrecks in the last five laps.[33] Stewart earned his first and only win of the season in theAMP Energy 500 atTalladega on October 5, 2008, driving for Subway as his sponsor, making it his last win with Joe Gibbs Racing. On the final lap, Stewart was passed byRegan Smith (the rookie of Dale Earnhardt, Inc.) who beat Stewart to the line. NASCAR declared that Smith had made an illegal pass under the yellow line, and awarded the victory to Stewart.[34]
After the Ford 400, Stewart attended a tearful farewell meeting with Joe Gibbs Racing and gave his car and team to rookie Joey Logano, who replaced him for JGR.
On July 8, 2008, it was reported that Stewart was released from the last year of his contract withJoe Gibbs Racing, primarily because JGR had switched fromChevrolet toToyota, and Stewart was vocal about his loyalty to Chevrolet (which sponsors his USAC Midget, Sprint Car, and Silver Crown teams). Stewart announced he would move toHaas CNC Racing to drive a Haas Chevrolet, with sponsorships fromOffice Depot (relocating from the No. 99Roush Fenway team) andOld Spice. Stewart took half ownership of the team which was renamedStewart–Haas Racing,[35] and Stewart became the highest-paid NASCAR driver. Stewart's car at Haas has the number 14 as an homage to his heroA. J. Foyt.[36] To date, he is the third-most successful driver forJoe Gibbs Racing with 33 wins and two championships (2002 and 2005), behindKyle Busch, who has 59 wins and two championships (2015 and 2019) andDenny Hamlin with 54 wins.
On August 15, 2008, fellow Indiana nativeRyan Newman signed a multi-year contract to drive the second car for Stewart–Haas Racing, originally to be designated No. 4 but changed to his USAC No. 39, with sponsorship from theU.S. Army (relocating fromEarnhardt Ganassi Racing).
As the most recent series champion not among the top-35 in owners' points, Stewart was first in line for past champions' provisionals for the first five races of 2009. He completed those races without needing to use the provisional, ending up well inside the top-ten in points. Stewart won his first race as a driver/owner in the non-championshipNASCAR Sprint All-Star Race XXV, winning more than $1,000,000, his first win in the event in ten attempts. He followed that victory with his first points race win as a driver/owner atPocono in thePocono 500 on June 7, 2009, the first owner-driver in the Cup series to win a race sinceRicky Rudd in 1998.[37] Stewart also won the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona after a controversial finish when he wreckedKyle Busch to do so. In a similar fashion to thespring race at Talladega that year, Busch passed Stewart on the final lap but in the final turn Stewart went underneath Busch who tried to block but with 100 feet left from the checkers the two made contact resulting in Stewart sending Busch into the wall, and Busch wrecked across the line in the final lead position whileKasey Kahne submarined under his car.
Stewart's season overall was his best showing since his rookie year, with another win coming atWatkins Glen International. Stewart qualified for the2009 Chase for the Sprint Cup as he finished the first 26 races as the points leader. He fell to second in points following reseeding whenMark Martin, who won more races than Stewart, moved ahead of him. On October 5, 2009, Stewart won thePrice Chopper 400 and moved to fourth in the standings, ending the season in sixth place.
On April 16, 2010, Stewart won his first Sprint Cup pole position in five years atTexas Motor Speedway, with a lap speed of 191.327 mph. The race was the 400th in the Sprint Cup for Stewart, and was his first starting from the pole since October 2005 atMartinsville Speedway.[38]
On May 9, 2010, it was reported that Stewart would lose Old Spice as a sponsor after eleven years with them.[39]
Stewart won two races in 2010: theEmory Healthcare 500 atAtlanta Motor Speedway on September 5, 2010, and thePepsi Max 400 atAuto Club Speedway on October 10, 2010.
In September at Loudon, Stewart lead part of the final stages trying to hold off Clint Bowyer for RCR who dominated the race; when the white flag waved the fans saw that Stewart was out of gas; Bowyer passed him and won both the white flag and the checkers. Stewart finished 24th and waved to Bowyer to congratulate him as he slowly crossed the line to finish. After the race Stewart said when interviewed "My feelings are not happy that's for sure but we had a strong race; I thank Office Depot, Coca-Cola, and my sponsors... congratulations to Clint Bowyer and the helping hands, they deserved that one. I think I ran myself out of fuel; my team apologized and said "sorry for running you out of fuel", I think I ran myself out of fuel."
On October 12, 2010,Mobil 1 announced a sponsorship deal with Stewart–Haas Racing to sponsor Stewart's car, starting in2011. It would be the primary sponsor for eleven races, while Office Depot would be the primary sponsor for the rest of the season. Mobil 1 would also sponsor Stewart in the Budweiser Shootout and the All-Star Race.
In 2011, Stewart returned in the No. 14Office Depot-sponsored Chevrolet. Following a crash intentionally caused by Stewart onBrian Vickers atInfineon Raceway in June 2011, Vickers intentionally wrecked Stewart as payback. In an interview when asked about the crashes, Stewart said, "It was payback, but, you know, I dumped him first, and I dumped him because he was blocking..."[40] Stewart and his teammate, Newman, started theLenox Industrial Tools 301 first and second, and they finished it where they started as Newman won that race. By the Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips 400, Stewart said in a post-race interview that his team was running so poorly that he was "wasting one of those top twelve spots." Entering the Chase for theNASCAR Sprint Cup portion of the schedule winless, Stewart won the opening race of the Chase at theChicagoland Speedway and jumped up seven spots in the points, securing second place and extending his streak of consecutive years with a win to thirteen. Stewart made it two for two in the Chase afterClint Bowyer ran out of fuel in the closing laps of theSylvania 300 at theNew Hampshire Motor Speedway. Stewart took the win and the points lead after New Hampshire. At Talladega, Stewart struggled to lead a lap, and eventually did so; with assistance fromRyan Newman,Paul Menard, andJoey Logano, he led an additional 29 laps and captured the two-point bonus for leading the most laps. On October 30, 2011, at Martinsville Speedway, Stewart won theTums Fast Relief 500, leading three times for 14 laps and moving into championship contention in second place in the points standings.
The next week, Stewart led 173 laps en route to winning the AAA Texas 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, bringing him to within three points of championship points leader Carl Edwards with two races to go in the 2011 season. On November 20, 2011, Stewart won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship by winning thefinal race atHomestead-Miami Speedway while Edwards finished second.[41] Stewart and Edwards were tied on total points, but Stewart claimed the tiebreaker by having five race wins, all during the Chase, to Edwards's one win.[42] In the process, Stewart became the first driver/owner to win the championship sinceAlan Kulwicki in1992.
Before the season Stewart welcomed new drivers retired Indycar driverDanica Patrick and driverDavid Reutimann to drive partly for Stewart–Haas Racing as part of a partnership with Tommy Baldwin Racing who provided parts of the cars.
On February 11, 2012, Stewart led the final stages of theBudweiser Shootout by passingMarcos Ambrose on the final lap but was passed in a desperate charge to the finish line byKyle Busch who beat him to the line in what was said the closest finish in Budweiser Shootout history (It would have been 2011 with Kurt Busch and Denny Hamlin but Hamlin was black-flagged for being below the yellow line). Stewart won the first duel of theGatorade Duels at Daytona when his new driverDanica Patrick hit the wall hard on the backstretch on the final lap, which brought out the caution. Stewart started third in theDaytona 500 and ran well throughout the race, but was caught up in a late-race crash on lap 196 after getting turned byRicky Stenhouse Jr. On March 11, Stewart won theKobalt Tools 400 atLas Vegas Motor Speedway beating Jimmie Johnson. It was his 45th career win and brought his streak of consecutive Cup seasons with a win to 14.
On March 25, 2012, Stewart won the rain-shortenedAuto Club 400 atAuto Club Speedway. On June 3, 2012, Stewart was caught in a thirteen car crash on the back leg at Dover and finished the race in 25th place.
Tony Stewart led eighteen laps at the 2012 Quicken Loans 400 and finished second behindDale Earnhardt Jr. Stewart however caused controversy and got ripped by the fans and media for saying in a media conference that Earnhardt winning "Is not a national holiday." and taunting the Earnhardt nation for celebrating the fourth anniversary of Earnhardt's last win in 2008.
At Sonoma, Stewart moved quickly from the top 20 to third in the final laps of theToyota Save Mart 350 and ended up second toClint Bowyer by passingKurt Busch on the final turn on the final lap. On July 7, Stewart was able to hold offMatt Kenseth to win his fourthCoke Zero 400 as a wreck ensued behind him. The win was a surprise one, as Stewart had been forced to start 42nd due to his car failing pre-qualifying inspection.
In August at Bristol in the2012 Irwin Tools Night Race, when battling for the lead on lap 333, Stewart andMatt Kenseth tangled and brought out a caution. This was soon afterRyan Newman was wrecked byJuan Pablo Montoya in an accident which collectedJeff Burton. A furious Stewart climbed out of his wrecked car and angrily tossed his helmet at Kenseth's car, who exit out of the pit road, and then gestured applause at the fans.[43] This was followed shortly thereafter by his student driverDanica Patrick wagging a finger atRegan Smith after he turned her into the inside wall many laps later.
In September at Atlanta, team spokesman Mike Arning announced that Office Depot will not be Stewart's sponsor in 2013.[44]
On October 2, 2012,Bass Pro Shops announced they would be a co-primary sponsor for Stewart in a selected number of races for the 2013 season.[45]
At theTalladega race in the fall, Stewart was leading on the final lap but underestimated the speed of a closingMichael Waltrip. On turn 4, Waltrip got a run, and tapped Stewart from behind, causing Stewart to spin and Waltrip to spin into the pack, causing a Big One that involved 23 cars, the largest crash of the season to date. Stewart flipped over, hitting the roofs of several other cars, includingKasey Kahne,Paul Menard, andClint Bowyer, before landing upright. On November 9, it was announced thatKevin Harvick would be joining Stewart's team starting in 2014.
Stewart would finish ninth in points, with two top-fives and four top tens in the Chase, for a final season total of three wins, twelve top-five, and sixteen top-ten finishes overall.
In early 2013, reports said that Stewart was offered a chance byRoger Penske to race in the2013 Indianapolis 500 in a Penske car. Stewart declined and said he was not ready to try the big race yet, due to his focus on stock cars.[46]
In theDaytona 500, Stewart's day ended on lap 35, when he was caught up in an early crash withKevin Harvick andKasey Kahne; this would allow him to finish 41st. He rebounded slightly with an eighth-place finish at Phoenix and an eleventh-place finish in Las Vegas. At Bristol, Stewart blew his tire on lap three and cut a brake line; he came back out over twenty laps down, unable to contend for the victory.
At Fontana, Stewart ran well for most of the day, leading laps and running on an alternate pit cycle, and nearly contended for the win. However, due to a late-race incident whenJoey Logano blocked him on the last restart, Stewart ended up in 22nd place at the bottom of the lead lap. After the race, Stewart, angered, confronted Logano, who had just wrecked his car after battling withDenny Hamlin hard into the last turn, on pit road in a scuffle involving both teams' crews.[47]
At Richmond, Stewart looked to be in contention for the win as he was fifth on a green-white-checkered finish, but in a fashion similar to his confrontation with Logano at Fontana; after a poor restart he lost a few positions. On the last lap,Kurt Busch tapped his bumper, moving Stewart out of the second groove up to the top of the race track subsequently losing about five positions coming home eighteenth while Busch took a 9th-place finish. Stewart showed his displeasure with Busch after the race had finished, rubbing with him on the race track leading to a shoving match between the two when slowing down after the race ended. Down near the haulers, the two turned the attention given to race winner Harvick; to them when they had a verbal confrontation, again Stewart showing Busch his displeasure with his aggressive move. It was the first time since 2008 that the two got together in a feud.
At Talladega, Stewart was caught up in a fifteen car wreck on lap 43 and ended up finishing 27th, five laps down. His teammatesDanica Patrick andRyan Newman were caught up in a later wreck on lap 182, in which Newman's car got crushed whenKurt Busch flipped over and landed on top of it.
Stewart's 2013 season start was considered his worst start to a Sprint Cup season yet. As of Richmond, he had only one Top 10 finish, which was at Phoenix. The rest of his finishing positions had been in the upper 10s or lower 20s. After Richmond, Stewart was 22nd in the points standings with 207 points, 136 behindJimmie Johnson. However, he showed signs of a rebound in the following weeks, scoring a solid 7th-place finish at the Coca-Cola 600 while avoiding several wrecks.
The following week at Dover, Stewart went a lap down early but got back on the lead lap with a beneficiary. In the last twenty laps, after Johnson was penalized for jumping the last restart, Stewart overtookJuan Pablo Montoya and held him off over the last three laps to score his sole Sprint Cup win of 2013. The win propelled him up 4 positions to 16th, into a Wildcard spot. This also gave Stewart a streak of 15 straight seasons with at least one race win. He followed this up with a fourth-place finish at Pocono and a fifth place at Michigan. His momentum was killed briefly by a 28th-place run at Sonoma and a twentieth-place finish at Kentucky, but Stewart then rebounded to a second-place finish at the Coke Zero 400.
At New Hampshire, Stewart led 84 laps and was overtaken byBrian Vickers with fourteen laps to go. A caution that led to a green-white-checkered finish ultimately ruined Stewart's chances of winning, as he ran out of fuel after the restart while Vickers took the win. Stewart then rebounded with a 4th-place run at Indianapolis and a ninth-place run at Pocono.
The day after the Pocono race, on August 5, 2013, while leading asprint car race at Southern Iowa Speedway inOskaloosa, Iowa, Stewart was involved in a multi-car crash when a lapped car spun in front of him and Stewart drove straight into him while it was sideways causing him to flip multiple times. The hit was hard enough that Stewart broke both thetibia andfibula bones in his lower right leg. He was taken by ambulance to a local hospital where surgery was performed on his broken leg.[48][49] A second surgery was performed on August 8, 2013, in which a metal rod was inserted into the tibia.[50] The injuries were bad enough that Stewart's streak of 521 consecutive Sprint Cup starts, dating back to the1999 Daytona 500, ended. A replacement driver for the August 11 race atWatkins Glen International was not immediately named,[51] though it was eventually announced that road veteranMax Papis would fill in for Watkins Glen.[52] Stewart was eventually released from the hospital on August 11.[53]
Prior to August 11, 2013, speculation arose regarding who would replace Stewart on the oval courses, with speculation that the replacement would either beRegan Smith,[54] who drove two races inDale Earnhardt Jr.'s car after Earnhardt was sidelined with a concussion in 2012,[55] orAustin Dillon. It was announced after Watkins Glen that Dillon would drive Stewart's car for Michigan.[56] On August 19, 2013, Stewart was ruled out for the remainder of the season.Mark Martin was released from his contract withMichael Waltrip Racing and signed on to drive Stewart's car for the remaining thirteen races of the year, with the exception of Talladega, where Dillon drove the car.Brian Vickers andElliott Sadler would drive the No. 55 for races Martin was originally intended to drive for MWR in.[57]
Before the season it was announced that Stewart had been medically cleared to race. Stewart mentioned during Pre-Season Thunder that his leg would be about 65% healed going into Daytona.[58] Stewart ran theSprint Unlimited and was collected in a nine-car crash, though he was able to exit his car under his own power and without any pain. Stewart entered the Daytona 500 in his backup car, starting from the rear of the field. After the six hour and 22-minute rain delay, the race resumed, but just shy of halfway, Stewart's fuel pickup began to fail. His crew repaired the problem in the garage and allowed Stewart to return to the track, finishing the race 27 laps down.
The next week at Phoenix, Stewart ran in the top ten most of the day. A late string of cautions set up multiple restarts and Stewart opted to come down to pit road to be serviced each time the caution was thrown, subsequently losing track position. On the last and final restart, Stewart had four fresh tires and was starting nineteenth. He gained three positions, from nineteenth to sixteenth, where he finished. Stewart gained 12 spots in the standings, from 32nd to twentieth.[59]
At Las Vegas, Stewart struggled with the handling of his car and finished 33rd, four laps down.
At Bristol, Stewart missed the second round of knockout qualifying and started 37th. However, with a fast racecar, he was able to make his way up the field and finish fourth, his first top-five finish since theprevious year's Brickyard 400. Stewart was the highest finishing Chevrolet in the race.
Stewart qualified tenth at Auto Club. After a spin early in the race, Stewart was running 12th at the last caution, coming off of pit road second and lining up fourth for the green-white-checkered finish behind Paul Menard, his driver Kurt Busch, and Landon Cassill. On the final restart, Stewart and Busch battled for the win, only to be passed up by Kyle Busch andKyle Larson. Stewart finished third not being passed by Matt Kenseth, his fifth top-five in a row.
Stewart had a strong run at Pocono. He qualified in the top five and ran in there nearly the whole race, before a speeding penalty on pit road left him with a thirteenth-place finish. When Stewart was asked about what happened he said "It was a 100% driver error. Last week I cried over a sixth place finish and I just threw this one away. 100% driver error. My fault."
At Michigan, Stewart ran in the top-five. Late in the race, Stewart tangled with rookie Kyle Larson when Larson threw a block, leaving Stewart with an 11th-place finish. Stewart replied by bumping Larson under yellow and side-swiping him. The next week Stewart said "He'll learn not to block me. One way or another he'll learn like I did at his age."
After the Kevin Ward Jr. tragedy in mid-August, Stewart skipped Watkins Glen, Michigan, and Bristol. He was subbed byRegan Smith andJeff Burton for those races. Despite having missed three races and thus losing too many points to recover lost points in the final two races, NASCAR granted him a waiver allowing him to still be eligible for the Chase if he won in the final two 'regular season' events, which he failed to do, causing him to miss the Chase for the third time in his career.[60]
At the end of the October Charlotte race, Stewart was hit on pit road byBrad Keselowski, who was trying to run intoMatt Kenseth, but missed. Stewart retaliated by reversing into him, smashing Keselowski's front in.[61] Stewart was fined $25,000 and placed on probation until November 12, 2014, along with Keselowski who was fined $50,000.[62]
AtMartinsville, Stewart almost won. On the final restart, he pulled out in front ofDale Earnhardt Jr. but having older tires, got over-taken by Earnhardt with four laps to go. Stewart finished 4th but stated that after what he went through from August to then, finishing 4th felt like a win to him.
Stewart finished the year with a last-place finish at Homestead-Miami, ending his fifteen-year winning streak. As a driver, 2014 was Stewart's worst year statistically. The season ended on a positive note for Stewart, as he won the Owner's Championship withKevin Harvick. In an interview the day before the race, Stewart blamed his subpar year on the new rules package, saying it did not complement his driving style. He also dismissed countless claims that his poor showing had anything to do with his 2013 leg injury.
On February 15, 2014, Stewart returned to sprint car racing in his No. 14 sprint car, the very car that broke his leg in 2013. When asked why he returned, Stewart said he loved racing sprint cars too much to leave. Stewart silenced his critics by dominating and winning a sprint car race at Tri-City Motor Speedway in a huge comeback story. After the race Stewart said:
It was a confidence boost for me. When you haven't won and haven't been necessarily a contender, you start questioning what is it in the equation that you're missing. Is it something that you're doing or not doing as a driver? To be able to win and have two good runs like that in a car that I haven't been in for almost a full year now, that was a huge confidence boost.
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Stewart did not do as well in the2015 season as hoped, as he failed to score a win for the second year in a row and missed the Chase. He even failed to finish higher than 6th-place for the first time in his career, only scoring three top-ten finishes the entire season.[63] Despite these results, Stewart refused to put the blame on his crew chief, in spite of criticism from fans, saying that "I still really like working with Chad Johnston, I don't feel like he's what's holding us back... I'm holding him and the team back versus vice versa".[64] He showed signs of a comeback after qualifying runs of 4th atIndianapolis, fifth atPocono, third atWatkins Glen, and fifth atMichigan.
In his last start of the season-openerDaytona 500, Stewart was involved in an accident on lap 41 withMatt Kenseth that collectedRyan Blaney andMichael Waltrip.[65] Stewart pitted with significant front-right damage, and later took responsibility for the accident, saying that "when it got three-wide that particular lap, it got away from me".[66] He ended up retiring on lap 72.[67]
At the next race, theQuikTrip 500, Stewart did not set a time in qualifying due to a technical irregularity surrounding the amount of camber the car was running.[68] Stewart had a relatively clean first part of the race, however in the second half of the race with 21 laps to go, was involved in a large accident alongsideClint Bowyer,Greg Biffle,Ricky Stenhouse Jr.,Regan Smith andJoe Nemechek, resulting in a red flag.[69] Tony would finish 30th.
After qualifying twelfth for theKobalt 400, Stewart's fortunes did not improve as he finished 33rd, due to a pass-through penalty issued for a tire rolling out from his pit.[70][71]
At the2015 CampingWorld.com 500 Stewart qualified seventeenth, however on lap 288, he crashed, grinding alongside the front-stretch barrier, resulting in a caution.[72] Stewart's teammate Harvick would eventually win.[72]
At the next race, theAuto Club 400, Stewart had a clean race until 36 laps till the end. He was racingAric Almirola hard, andMartin Truex Jr. cut in front of Tony, creating a hole in Stewart's bodywork which required him to pit for repairs.[73] Following the incident, Stewart confronted Truex post-race, however Stewart still felt he had reason to be happy bar the incident, saying "We are getting to where we were sniffing the edge of the top ten anyway all day," and that "this [race] is a big gain for us".[74]
In August, Stewart lent his private plane to the family of IndyCar driverJustin Wilson so they could fly out toLong Pond, Pennsylvania after Wilson was severely injured during a late-race crash; Wilson died several hours later.
On September 27, 2015, Bob Pockrass reported that Stewart announced plans to retire from racing after the 2016 season. Stewart formally announced on September 30, 2015, confirming this and announcing thatClint Bowyer would replace him in the No. 14 in 2017.[75]
On January 31, 2016, Stewart injured his back while riding adune buggy outside ofSan Diego[76] with fellow driverGreg Biffle.[77] Four days later, Stewart–Haas Racing announced he had suffered aburst fracture in hislumbar vertebra, which would prevent him from competing in theDaytona 500.[78] Stewart was replaced byBrian Vickers[79] andTy Dillon.[80] Stewart missed the first eight races of the season. On April 24, 2016, Stewart returned to racing in theToyota Owners 400 at Richmond,[81] where he finished nineteenth. Before the Richmond race, NASCAR granted Stewart a waiver from the rule saying that a driver must attempt every race to be eligible for the Chase. If Stewart won a race and finished in the top 30 in the standings by the autumn Richmond race, he would qualify for the 2016 Chase for the Sprint Cup.
For the running of theGEICO 500 at Talladega, Stewart would struggle at the beginning of the race but he would switch with Ty Dillon after the first caution and Dillon would drive the rest of the race; the doctor advised Stewart not to drive the whole race to avoid further injury. The No. 14 car would get the free pass after the first caution. Dillon would finish sixth, but Stewart would get the credit since he started the race and would get his first top 10 of the year. He finished twelfth at Kansas the following week. At Michigan for the running of the FireKeepers Casino 400, Stewart would have his best race of the year so far, he would qualify a strong third and run great all race long and would finish seventh.
The very next week at Sonoma, Stewart took advantage of a late caution and was able to lead the last twenty laps, winning for the first time in three years after making a last-lap pass onDenny Hamlin, who wheel-hopped in the final turn and hit the wall after Stewart slipped into the inside. The win was very popular amongst the garages and the win vaulted Stewart from 34th to 31st in the standings, just nine points out of the top 30. Then the next race at Daytona, Stewart finished 26th due to a late wreck, but moved up to thirtieth in the points and currently became part of the Chase for the first time since 2012. He did much better at Kentucky, finishing a solid fifth and further propelling him to twentieth in owner's points. The next week at New Hampshire he would continue his streak of strong races and get a second-place finish, followed by two fifth-place finishes at Pocono and Watkins Glen.
At Richmond, Stewart was involved in a controversy with 28 laps to go in the race. Stewart, while racing former teammateRyan Newman for tenth place, wrecked Newman in turn 3, causing a five-car pileup and ending Newman's chase chances. In an interview minutes after the crash, Newman was outspoken about his displeasure against Stewart and said "I guess he thought he was in a sprint car again and didn't know how to control his anger. It's disappointing that you have somebody who should be retired the way he drives. It's just ridiculous." Stewart's bid for a fourth title ended after poor finishes caused him to be eliminated from the first round of the Chase. After having his final top-ten at the2016 Bank of America 500, Tony Stewart wrapped up his eighteen-year career in Cup competition with a 22nd-place finish at the2016 Ford EcoBoost 400 where he was two laps down.
Before the23rd running of theBrickyard 400, Stewart was inducted into the USAC Hall of Fame in recognition of his sterling United States Auto Club (USAC) career. He was the 1994 USAC National Midget champion; in 1995, Stewart became the first driver ever to claim all three of United States Auto Club National championships in a single season and is one of only six USAC “Triple Crown Champions.” To date, Stewart racing has also won seven USAC Silver Crown Series titles.[82]
Stewart has raced in a few sports car races, including theRolex 24 at Daytona.
Stewart has enjoyed a highly successful career inUSAC; he has 27 USAC National Midget wins to his credit, as well as ten wins in the Sprint cars and three in the Silver Crown series. He is also a member of theNational Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame (2001) and theNational Sprint Car Hall of Fame (2022). In addition to his USAC driving titles, he also has seven Sprint Car Owner championships as well as seven in the Silver Crown Series as an owner.[83]
Stewart frequently makes appearances on dirt tracks, appearing regularly at anARCA race on dirt and many prominent midget car events, USACsTurkey Night Grand Prix, and the indoorChili Bowl Midget Nationals.
Stewart races 410 and 360 Dirt Sprint Cars about fifty times a year throughout the United States and Canada. On July 27, 2011, Stewart won his first-ever World of Outlaws race atOhsweken Speedway. As of October 7, 2014, Stewart has three career World of Outlaws main event victories. Stewart competes with the World of Outlaws, All-Stars, and IRA Sprint Car series when traveling between NASCAR races and on off weekends.
Along with Stewart co-founding theSuperstar Racing Experience, he would also drive full-time in the No. 14 machine. Stewart got a podium finish in the inaugural2021 SRX Series race atStafford Motor Speedway, finishing third.[84] He followed by sweeping the series' two dirt track races atKnoxville Raceway and Eldora.[85] A second-place finish in the final race atNashville Fairgrounds Speedway enabled Stewart to win the championship by 45 points overErnie Francis Jr.[86]
On August 9, 2014, Stewart competed in an eveningsprint car race atCanandaigua Motorsports Park inCanandaigua, New York. About halfway through the race, Stewart bumped Kevin Ward Jr., causing Ward to lose control and spin out, into the wall. A full courseyellow caution flag was displayed. Ward exited his vehicle and charged down the banked circuit. Several cars tacked down to the inside most line to avoid him. As Stewart approached, Ward lunged at Stewart's car attempting to grab his wing which resulted in him being struck with Stewart's right rear tire. Mortally injured when the right rear tire of Stewart's car struck him, Ward was flung 25 feet (7.6 m) across the track to his death.[87] Ward was transported by paramedics to Thompson Hospital and was pronounced dead on arrival,[88] due to "massive blunt trauma".[89]
The incident took place the night before Stewart was scheduled to race in the Cup Series'Cheez-It 355 atWatkins Glen International; however, Stewart decided not to compete in the event, andRegan Smith started in his place.[90] Stewart later released a statement "There aren't words to describe the sadness I feel about the accident that took the life of Kevin Ward Jr. It's a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason I've decided not to participate in today's race at Watkins Glen. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and everyone affected by this tragedy."[91]
The day after the incident, Philip Povero, sheriff ofOntario County, New York, told reporters "At this very moment, there are no facts in hand that would substantiate or support a criminal charge, or indicate criminal intent on the part of any individual."[92]
On August 15, 2014, NASCAR announced a rule change requiring that drivers who are involved in an accident and are unable to drive their cars back to pit road or the garage must remain in their vehicles until emergency crews arrive, except in an emergency (such as a fire or smoke caused by a blown engine).[93]
For the August 17, 2014 race at Michigan and the following one at Bristol, Stewart was replaced byJeff Burton.[94][95] He returned at Atlanta, and was granted a waiver to maintain Chase eligibility despite missing three races (current Chase rules state that a driver must attempt to qualify for every race in order to be eligible). However, he failed to win at Atlanta or Richmond and thus was unable to qualify for the Chase.
Stewart gave a tearful interview when he returned to race in Atlanta, stating:
This has been one of the toughest tragedies I've ever had to deal with, both professionally and personally. This is something that will definitely affect my life forever. This is a sadness and a pain I hope no one ever has to experience in their life. That being said, I know that the pain and the mourning that Kevin Ward's family and friends are experiencing is something that I can't possibly imagine. I want Kevin's father, Kevin Sr., his mother Pam, and his sisters Christi, Kayla, and Katelyn to know that every day I'm thinking about and praying for them.
The racing community is a large family, as you guys know. Everyone's saddened with this tragedy. I want to thank all my friends and family for their support through this tough, emotional time. And the support from the NASCAR community, my partners, all of our employees has been overwhelming. I've taken the last couple weeks off out of respect for Kevin and his family and also to cope with the accident in my own way. It's given me the time to think about life and how easy it is to take it for granted. I miss my team, my teammates, and the other drivers very much and I miss being back in the race car. I think that being back in the car this week with my racing family will help me get through this difficult time.[96]
On September 24, 2014, a grand jury declined to indict Stewart on charges of manslaughter in the second-degree and criminally negligent homicide. Following the decision, District Attorney Michael Tantillo stated that videos of Stewart's driving did not demonstrate any aberrational driving and that Ward was under the influence of cannabis with levels high enough to impair judgment.[97]
Ward's father, Kevin Ward Sr., wrote a letter vowing to "pursue to make all remedies for Kevin,"[98] implying the civil lawsuit they later filed. When Ward's family was informed that he had been high on cannabis, Ward Sr. wrote a letter that went viral on the internet, saying:
Tell me how a man the size of Kevin can make a sprint car turn to the right on impact. Tell me how a lap before (the incident) everything was fine, but the following lap was poor lighting. Tell me how a NASCAR star totally forgot what caution means. Maybe he should get a different headset so he is able to hear on the radio that the car in caution is up high, so go low. Or was he low until he rounded the corner and saw Kevin, Jr. standing up for himself?[99]
A couple of days after the announcement of his exoneration by Ontario County (N.Y.) District Attorney Michael Tantillo, Stewart toldThe Associated Press, that "I know 100 percent in my heart and in my mind that I did not do anything wrong. This was 100 percent an accident."[100]
After a few years of going through the process of the wrongful death lawsuit filed by the Ward family, it was announced in April 2018, that the suit had been settled out-of-court, just a few weeks before the trial was scheduled to begin. The terms of the settlement were confidential.[101]
Stewart is the owner of various open-wheel short-track racing cars, most of them being sponsored by Chevrolet since 2007. He also owns and drives dirt super late models.
Tri Star Motorsports (no relation to theTriStar Motorsports NASCAR team) was an IRL team that Stewart owned with Larry Curry, Andy Card, and Rick Ehrgott from 1999 to 2001.[102][103]
Following the 2008 season, Stewart was given a 50% stake in Haas CNC Racing, which was owned outright byGene Haas and fielded Chevrolet vehicles. This allowed Stewart to become an owner-driver, as he left his long-term team at Joe Gibbs Racing to start the venture. Initially fielding two cars, the #14 for himself and the #39 forRyan Newman, Stewart has since expanded the operation to four cars and began running with Ford engines in 2017. The team has won two NASCAR Cup Series championships, the first with Stewart driving in 2011 and the second withKevin Harvick driving in 2014.[104]
On May 28, 2024, it was announced that the team would shut down at the end of the2024 season.[105] On June 20, Gene Haas announced he will keep one of the team's four charters and restructure the team asHaas Factory Team in 2025.[106]
Stewart has won USAC car owner titles in the Silver Crown division in 2002 and 2003 withJ. J. Yeley, in 2004 & 2005 withDave Steele and 2010 and 2011 with Levi Jones of Olney, IL. He also collected owner titles in USAC's National Sprint Car Series with Yeley in 2003 andJay Drake in 2004. He also won an owner title in the USAC National Sprint Car Series in 2006 with Josh Wise and 2007, 2009, 2010, and 2011 with Levi Jones of Olney, IL
Stewart's USAC midget and sprint cars carry No. 20 and No. 21, while his Silver Crown car carries No. 22.
Stewart has also wonWorld of Outlaws Sprint Car Series championships as an owner withDonny Schatz in 2008–2009, 2012, and 2014–2018.[107] The team was a two car operation with Schatz andSteve Kinser until Kinser's retirement in 2016.[108] The team will compete full time in theHigh Limit Racing series withRico Abreu in 2026.[109]
In October 2021, it was reported that Tony Stewart Racing would begin fielding entries in theNHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series which will first be made up of a Top Fuel entry forLeah Pruett and a Funny Car entry forMatt Hagan.[110][111]On December 7, 2023, Leah Pruett announced that Tony will be driving an NHRA Top Fuel Dragster in 2024.[112] In 2025, he claimed his first Top Fuel win at the 2025 Four-Wide Nationals atLas Vegas Motor Speedway.
Stewart purchasedEldora Speedway located nearRossburg, Ohio in late 2004 from Earl Baltes. Stewart is currently a co-owner ofPaducah International Raceway nearPaducah, Kentucky. He also co-ownsMacon Speedway inMacon, Illinois along withKenny Schrader,Kenny Wallace, and Bob Sargent.[113]
In January 2015, Stewart purchased the All Star Circuit of Champions from Guy Webb.[114][115] The purchase was Stewart's first foray into owning an entire racing series. In a separate agreement, Stewart announced that he had reached an agreement with the owners of the Renegade Sprint Series to merge with the All Star Circuit of Champions for the 2015 season under the All Star name.
The ASCoC is an American motorsports sanctioning body of Sprint Cars founded in 1970. The series sanctions 410ci winged sprint car races in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York, and Florida.
In July 2020, Stewart and former NASCAR crew chiefRay Evernham formed the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX), a stock car series that began in summer 2021.[116]
Stewart owns a dirt late modelChevrolet Impala that carries No. 14 which he races frequently. He is also the owner of Custom Works, a company that manufactures radio-controlled oval track cars, and has had a degree of success as an r/c racer himself.
Stewart was also the driving force behind thePrelude to the Dream, a dirt late model race held atEldora Speedway from 2005 to 2012. It featured top drivers from NASCAR, IndyCar, NHRA, and World of Outlaws, including race winners Kenny Wallace, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Kyle Busch, and Stewart himself. The event raised over 4 million dollars for various NASCAR and driver charities including The Victory Junction Gang Camp.
Founded in 2003 by Stewart, the principal purposes of theTony Stewart Foundation are to raise and donate funds to help care for chronically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities, and to support other charitable organizations in the protection of various animal species. The Tony Stewart Foundation will raise and donate funds to charitable interests, specifically those that support the aforementioned groups.[117] In October 2024, it was announced that The Tony Stewart Foundation is closing.[118]
With 49 career points-paying victories, Stewart is ranked thirteenth among theall-time NASCAR Cup Series winners; he is ranked ninth among those who have competed during the sport's modern era (1972–present).
Stewart is the only driver to complete theIndianapolis 500–Coca-Cola 600Double Duty, finishing sixth and third respectively in 2001. He is also the second owner-driver to win a NASCAR championship.
Stewart is the all-time winningest Cup Series driver at the following tracks:
Stewart hosted a two-hour weekly radio show, titledTony Stewart Live, broadcast onSirius Satellite Radio.[129] Stewart co-hosted the show withMatt Yocum, and took listener calls. The show ran from 2007 to 2008.[130][131]
(key) (Races inbold indicate pole position; races initalics indicate fastest lap)
| Indy Racing League results | ||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Rank | Points | Ref |
| 1996 | Team Menard | 20 | Lola | Menard-Buick | WDW 2 | PHX 11 | INDY 24 | 8th | 204 | [155] | ||||||||||
| 1996–97 | 2 | NHA 12 | LVS 21 | 1st | 278 | [156] | ||||||||||||||
| G-Force | Oldsmobile | WDW 10 | PHX 2 | INDY 5 | TXS 5 | PPIR 1 | CLT 7 | NHA 14 | LVS 11 | |||||||||||
| 1998 | 1 | WDW 1 | PHX 2 | DOV 8 | 3rd | 289 | [157] | |||||||||||||
| Dallara | INDY 33 | TXS 14 | NHA 1 | CLT 21 | PPIR 3 | ATL 5 | TX2 20 | LVS 14 | ||||||||||||
| 1999 | Tri-Star Racing | 22 | WDW | PHX | CLT1 C | INDY 9 | TXS | PPIR | ATL | DOV | PPIR | LVS | TXS | 33rd | 22 | [158] | ||||
| 2001 | Chip Ganassi Racing | 33 | G-Force | Oldsmobile | PHX | HOM | ATL | INDY 6 | TXS | PPIR | RCH | KAN | NSH | KEN | GAT | CHI | TXS | 39th | 28 | [159] |
| Year | Chassis | Engine | Start | Finish | Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Lola | Menard-Buick | 1 | 24 | Menard |
| 1997 | G-Force | Oldsmobile | 2 | 5 | Menard |
| 1998 | Dallara | Oldsmobile | 4 | 33 | Menard |
| 1999 | Dallara | Oldsmobile | 24 | 9 | Tri-Star |
| 2001 | G-Force | Oldsmobile | 7 | 6 | Ganassi |
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| NASCAR Sprint Cup Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | NSCC | Pts | Ref |
| 1999 | Joe Gibbs Racing | 20 | Pontiac | DAY 28 | CAR 12 | LVS 36 | ATL 11 | DAR 6 | TEX 6 | BRI 15 | MAR 20 | TAL 5 | CAL 4 | RCH 15 | CLT 4 | DOV 4* | MCH 9 | POC 6 | SON 15 | DAY 6 | NHA 10* | POC 4 | IND 7 | GLN 6 | MCH 3 | BRI 5* | DAR 12 | RCH 1* | NHA 2 | DOV 2 | MAR 41 | CLT 19 | TAL 6 | CAR 12 | PHO 1* | HOM 1 | ATL 15 | 4th | 4774 | [160] | ||
| 2000 | DAY 17 | CAR 4 | LVS 2 | ATL 34 | DAR 4 | BRI 42 | TEX 9 | MAR 6 | TAL 34 | CAL 10 | RCH 8 | CLT 14 | DOV 1* | MCH 1 | POC 6 | SON 10 | DAY 6 | NHA 1* | POC 26 | IND 5 | GLN 6 | MCH 41 | BRI 2 | DAR 9 | RCH 6 | NHA 23 | DOV 1* | MAR 1 | CLT 4 | TAL 27 | CAR 7 | PHO 14 | HOM 1* | ATL 38 | 6th | 4570 | [161] | |||||
| 2001 | DAY 36 | CAR 4 | LVS 12 | ATL 27 | DAR 16 | BRI 25 | TEX 23 | MAR 7 | TAL 2 | CAL 4 | RCH 1 | CLT 3 | DOV 7 | MCH 25 | POC 7 | SON 1 | DAY 26 | CHI 33 | NHA 5 | POC 3 | IND 17 | GLN 26 | MCH 27 | BRI 1 | DAR 4 | RCH 7 | DOV 5 | KAN 8 | CLT 2 | MAR 41 | TAL 2 | PHO 5 | CAR 7 | HOM 19* | ATL 9 | NHA 5 | 2nd | 4763 | [162] | |||
| 2002 | DAY 43 | CAR 4 | LVS 5* | ATL 1* | DAR 36 | BRI 15 | TEX 5 | MAR 3* | TAL 29 | CAL 29 | RCH 1 | CLT 6 | DOV 11 | POC 7 | MCH 16 | SON 2 | DAY 39 | CHI 3 | NHA 39 | POC 7 | IND 12 | GLN 1* | MCH 2 | BRI 24 | DAR 8 | RCH 30 | NHA 3 | DOV 5 | KAN 8 | TAL 2 | CLT 3 | MAR 11 | ATL 4 | CAR 14 | PHO 8 | HOM 18 | 1st | 4800 | [163] | |||
| 2003 | Chevy | DAY 7 | CAR 20 | LVS 5 | ATL 5 | DAR 10 | BRI 26 | TEX 34 | TAL 25 | MAR 6 | CAL 41* | RCH 41 | CLT 40 | DOV 4 | POC 1 | MCH 8 | SON 12 | DAY 21 | CHI 2* | NHA 22 | POC 37 | IND 12* | GLN 11 | MCH 3 | BRI 23 | DAR 12 | RCH 27 | NHA 20 | DOV 3 | TAL 3 | KAN 4 | CLT 1* | MAR 3 | ATL 2* | PHO 18 | CAR 9 | HOM 7 | 7th | 4549 | [164] | ||
| 2004 | DAY 2* | CAR 26 | LVS 3 | ATL 7* | DAR 17 | BRI 24 | TEX 8 | MAR 14 | TAL 22 | CAL 16 | RCH 4 | CLT 9 | DOV 2* | POC 27 | MCH 24 | SON 15 | DAY 5 | CHI 1* | NHA 5 | POC 35 | IND 5 | GLN 1* | MCH 9 | BRI 19 | CAL 18 | RCH 19 | NHA 39 | DOV 6 | TAL 6 | KAN 14 | CLT 10 | MAR 15 | ATL 9 | PHO 8 | DAR 17 | HOM 4 | 6th | 6326 | [165] | |||
| 2005 | DAY 7* | CAL 17 | LVS 10 | ATL 17 | BRI 3 | MAR 26* | TEX 31 | PHO 33 | TAL 2 | DAR 10 | RCH 2 | CLT 24 | DOV 15 | POC 29 | MCH 2* | SON 1* | DAY 1* | CHI 5 | NHA 1* | POC 7 | IND 1* | GLN 1* | MCH 5 | BRI 8 | CAL 5 | RCH 7 | NHA 2* | DOV 18 | TAL 2* | KAN 4 | CLT 25 | MAR 2* | ATL 9 | TEX 6 | PHO 4 | HOM 15 | 1st | 6533 | [166] | |||
| 2006 | DAY 5 | CAL 43 | LVS 21 | ATL 5 | BRI 12* | MAR 1* | TEX 3* | PHO 2 | TAL 2 | RCH 6 | DAR 12 | CLT 42 | DOV 25 | POC 3 | MCH 41 | SON 28 | DAY 1* | CHI 32 | NHA 37 | POC 7 | IND 8 | GLN 2 | MCH 3 | BRI 22 | CAL 9 | RCH 18 | NHA 2 | DOV 33 | KAN 1 | TAL 22 | CLT 13 | MAR 4 | ATL 1* | TEX 1* | PHO 14 | HOM 15 | 11th | 4727 | [167] | |||
| 2007 | DAY 43 | CAL 8 | LVS 7 | ATL 2 | BRI 35* | MAR 7 | TEX 25 | PHO 2* | TAL 28 | RCH 8 | DAR 6 | CLT 6 | DOV 40 | POC 5 | MCH 3 | SON 6 | NHA 12 | DAY 38 | CHI 1* | IND 1* | POC 6 | GLN 1 | MCH 10 | BRI 4 | CAL 13 | RCH 2 | NHA 3 | DOV 9 | KAN 39 | TAL 8 | CLT 7 | MAR 13 | ATL 30 | TEX 11 | PHO 4 | HOM 30 | 6th | 6242 | [168] | |||
| 2008 | Toyota | DAY 3 | CAL 7 | LVS 43 | ATL 2 | BRI 14* | MAR 5 | TEX 7 | PHO 14 | TAL 38* | RCH 4 | DAR 21 | CLT 18 | DOV 41 | POC 35 | MCH 5 | SON 10 | NHA 13* | DAY 20 | CHI 5 | IND 23 | POC 2 | GLN 2 | MCH 12 | BRI 8 | CAL 22 | RCH 2 | NHA 8 | DOV 11 | KAN 40 | TAL 1* | CLT 11 | MAR 26 | ATL 17 | TEX 16 | PHO 22 | HOM 9 | 9th | 6202 | [169] | ||
| 2009 | Stewart–Haas Racing | 14 | Chevy | DAY 8 | CAL 8 | LVS 26 | ATL 8 | BRI 17 | MAR 3 | TEX 4 | PHO 2 | TAL 23 | RCH 2 | DAR 3 | CLT 19 | DOV 2 | POC 1 | MCH 7 | SON 2 | NHA 5 | DAY 1* | CHI 4 | IND 3 | POC 10 | GLN 1* | MCH 17 | BRI 33 | ATL 11 | RCH 17 | NHA 14 | DOV 9 | KAN 1 | CAL 5 | CLT 13 | MAR 9 | TAL 35 | TEX 6 | PHO 25 | HOM 22 | 6th | 6309 | [170] |
| 2010 | DAY 22 | CAL 9 | LVS 7 | ATL 13 | BRI 2 | MAR 26 | PHO 23 | TEX 32 | TAL 16 | RCH 23 | DAR 23 | DOV 9 | CLT 15 | POC 3 | MCH 5 | SON 9 | NHA 2 | DAY 25 | CHI 9 | IND 5 | POC 2 | GLN 7 | MCH 6 | BRI 27 | ATL 1* | RCH 16 | NHA 24 | DOV 21 | KAN 4 | CAL 1 | CLT 21 | MAR 24 | TAL 31 | TEX 11 | PHO 17 | HOM 8 | 7th | 6221 | [171] | |||
| 2011 | DAY 13 | PHO 7 | LVS 2* | BRI 19 | CAL 13 | MAR 34 | TEX 12 | TAL 17 | RCH 9 | DAR 7 | DOV 29 | CLT 17 | KAN 8 | POC 21 | MCH 7 | SON 39 | DAY 11 | KEN 12 | NHA 2 | IND 6 | POC 11 | GLN 27 | MCH 9 | BRI 28 | ATL 3 | RCH 7 | CHI 1 | NHA 1 | DOV 25 | KAN 15 | CLT 8 | TAL 7* | MAR 1 | TEX 1* | PHO 3* | HOM 1 | 1st | 2403 | [172] | |||
| 2012 | DAY 16 | PHO 22 | LVS 1* | BRI 14 | CAL 1 | MAR 7 | TEX 24 | KAN 13 | RCH 3 | TAL 24 | DAR 3 | CLT 25 | DOV 25 | POC 3 | MCH 2 | SON 2 | KEN 32 | DAY 1 | NHA 12 | IND 10 | POC 5 | GLN 19 | MCH 32 | BRI 27 | ATL 22 | RCH 4 | CHI 6 | NHA 7 | DOV 20 | TAL 22 | CLT 13 | KAN 5 | MAR 27 | TEX 5 | PHO 19 | HOM 17 | 9th | 2311 | [173] | |||
| 2013 | DAY 41 | PHO 8 | LVS 11 | BRI 31 | CAL 22 | MAR 17 | TEX 21 | KAN 21 | RCH 18 | TAL 27 | DAR 15 | CLT 7 | DOV 1 | POC 4 | MCH 5 | SON 28 | KEN 20 | DAY 2 | NHA 26 | IND 4 | POC 9 | GLN | MCH | BRI | ATL | RCH | CHI | NHA | DOV | KAN | CLT | TAL | MAR | TEX | PHO | HOM | 29th | 594 | [174] | |||
| 2014 | DAY 35 | PHO 16 | LVS 33 | BRI 4 | CAL 5 | MAR 17 | TEX 10 | DAR 9 | RCH 26 | TAL 43 | KAN 20 | CLT 13 | DOV 7 | POC 13 | MCH 11 | SON 19 | KEN 11 | DAY 40 | NHA 7 | IND 17 | POC 36 | GLN QL† | MCH | BRI | ATL 41 | RCH 15 | CHI 18 | NHA 30 | DOV 14 | KAN 17 | CLT 21 | TAL 34 | MAR 4 | TEX 11 | PHO 20 | HOM 43 | 25th | 799 | [175] | |||
| 2015 | DAY 42 | ATL 30 | LVS 33 | PHO 39 | CAL 14 | MAR 20 | TEX 24 | BRI 6 | RCH 41 | TAL 19 | KAN 39 | CLT 21 | DOV 16 | POC 21 | MCH 28 | SON 12 | DAY 14 | KEN 33 | NHA 20 | IND 28 | POC 9 | GLN 43 | MCH 21 | BRI 19 | DAR 15 | RCH 29 | CHI 25 | NHA 11 | DOV 26 | CLT 26 | KAN 35 | TAL 25 | MAR 10 | TEX 42 | PHO 27 | HOM 29 | 28th | 695 | [176] | |||
| 2016 | DAY | ATL | LVS | PHO | CAL | MAR | TEX | BRI | RCH 19 | TAL 6 | KAN 12 | DOV 34 | CLT 24 | POC 34 | MCH 7 | SON 1 | DAY 26 | KEN 5 | NHA 2 | IND 11 | POC 5 | GLN 5 | BRI 30 | MCH 21 | DAR 35 | RCH 33 | CHI 16 | NHA 23 | DOV 13 | CLT 9 | KAN 16 | TAL 32 | MAR 26 | TEX 31 | PHO 15 | HOM 22 | 15th | 2211 | [177] | |||
| † - Qualified but replaced byRegan Smith | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Year | Team | Manufacturer | Start | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | Joe Gibbs Racing | Pontiac | 2 | 28 |
| 2000 | 7 | 17 | ||
| 2001 | 24 | 36 | ||
| 2002 | 6 | 43 | ||
| 2003 | Chevrolet | 8 | 7 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 2 | ||
| 2005 | 4 | 7 | ||
| 2006 | 15 | 5 | ||
| 2007 | 3 | 43 | ||
| 2008 | Toyota | 6 | 3 | |
| 2009 | Stewart–Haas Racing | Chevrolet | 5 | 8 |
| 2010 | 6 | 22 | ||
| 2011 | 25 | 13 | ||
| 2012 | 3 | 16 | ||
| 2013 | 13 | 41 | ||
| 2014 | 21 | 35 | ||
| 2015 | 7 | 42 |
| NASCAR Nationwide Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | NNSC | Pts | Ref |
| 1995 | 31 | Chevy | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | NSV | DAR | BRI | HCY | NHA | NZH | CLT | DOV | MYB | GLN | MLW | TAL | SBO | IRP | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | CLT | CAR | HOM DNQ | N/A | 0 | [178] | ||||||||||
| 1996 | Ranier-Walsh Racing | 15 | Pontiac | DAY 21 | CAR DNQ | RCH | ATL 39 | NSV | DAR | BRI 16 | HCY | NZH | CLT | DOV 17 | SBO | MYB | GLN | MLW 22 | NHA | TAL 26 | IRP DNQ | MCH | BRI 37 | DAR 20 | RCH 40 | DOV | CLT | CAR | HOM | 49th | 753 | [179] | |||||||||
| 1997 | Labonte Motorsports | 44 | Pontiac | DAY | CAR | RCH | ATL | LVS | DAR | HCY | TEX | BRI | NSV | TAL | NHA | NZH | CLT | DOV | SBO | GLN | MLW | MYB | GTY | IRP 34 | MCH | BRI | DAR | RCH 40 | DOV | CLT 3 | CAL | CAR 9 | HOM 37 | 57th | 459 | [180] | |||||
| 1998 | Joe Gibbs Racing | DAY 31 | CAR 2 | LVS 34 | NSV 17 | DAR | BRI 26 | TEX 15 | HCY 13 | TAL 28 | NHA 2 | NZH | CLT | DOV 3 | RCH | PPR 14 | GLN | MLW 12 | MYB 35 | CAL | SBO | IRP 12 | MCH | BRI 21 | DAR 16 | RCH 29 | DOV | CLT 32 | GTY 5 | CAR 18 | ATL 3 | HOM 39 | 21st | 2455 | [181] | ||||||
| 2003 | Chance 2 Motorsports | 8 | Chevy | DAY | CAR | LVS | DAR | BRI | TEX | TAL | NSH | CAL | RCH | GTY | NZH | CLT | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | DAY | CHI | NHA | PPR | IRP | MCH 11* | BRI | DAR | RCH | DOV | KAN | CLT | MEM | ATL | PHO | CAR | HOM | 109th | 140 | [182] | |
| 2004 | Richard Childress Racing | 29 | Chevy | DAY | CAR | LVS | DAR | BRI | TEX | NSH | TAL | CAL 2 | GTY | RCH | NZH | 58th | 563 | [183] | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin Harvick Incorporated | CLT 5 | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | DAY | CHI | NHA | PPR | IRP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Chance 2 Motorsports | 81 | Chevy | MCH DNQ | BRI | CAL | RCH | DOV | KAN 25* | CLT | MEM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 92 | Chevy | ATL 11 | PHO | DAR | HOM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2005 | 33 | DAY 1* | CAL 29 | MXC | LVS | ATL 2 | NSH | BRI | TEX 42 | PHO 5 | TAL 20 | DAR | RCH 15 | CLT 39 | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | DAY | CHI | NHA | PPR | GTY | IRP 23 | GLN 4 | MCH | BRI | CAL | 39th | 1317 | [184] | ||||||||||
| 83 | RCH 40 | DOV | KAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joe Gibbs Racing | 19 | Chevy | CLT 21 | MEM | TEX | PHO | HOM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2006 | Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 33 | Chevy | DAY 1 | CAL | MXC | LVS 12 | ATL | BRI | TEX | NSH | PHO | TAL 39 | RCH | DAR 29 | CLT 42 | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | DAY 12 | CHI 9 | NHA | MAR | GTY | IRP | GLN | MCH 11 | BRI | CAL 6 | RCH | DOV | KAN 4 | 37th | 1461 | [185] | |||||
| Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 8 | Chevy | CLT 16 | MEM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Joe Gibbs Racing | 19 | Chevy | TEX 2 | PHO | HOM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2007 | Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 33 | Chevy | DAY 8 | LVS 3 | TAL 2 | RCH | DAR 7 | CLT | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | NHA 4 | CHI 8 | GTY | IRP | CGV | GLN | MCH 30 | BRI | CAL | RCH | DOV | KAN 11 | CLT | MEM | 35th | 1723 | [186] | |||||||||||
| Joe Gibbs Racing | 18 | Chevy | CAL 11 | MXC | DAY 4 | TEX 7* | PHO | HOM | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 20 | ATL 10 | BRI | NSH | TEX | PHO | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2008 | Toyota | DAY 1 | CAL 1* | LVS 27 | ATL | BRI | NSH | TEX 10 | PHO | MXC | TAL 1* | RCH | DAR 1* | CLT | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | NHA 1* | DAY | CHI 9 | GTY | IRP | CGV | GLN | MCH 3 | BRI | CAL | RCH | DOV | KAN | CLT | MEM | TEX | PHO | HOM | 39th | 1354 | [187] | ||
| 2009 | Hendrick Motorsports | 80 | Chevy | DAY 1 | CAL | LVS | BRI | 72nd | 500 | [188] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 33 | Chevy | TEX 2 | NSH | PHO | TAL | RCH | DAR | CLT | DOV | NSH | KEN | MLW | NHA | DAY | CHI | GTY | IRP | IOW | GLN | MCH | BRI | CGV | ATL | RCH | DOV | KAN | CAL | |||||||||||||
| JR Motorsports | 5 | Chevy | CLT 11 | MEM | TEX | PHO | HOM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2010 | Kevin Harvick Incorporated | 4 | Chevy | DAY 1* | CAL | LVS | BRI | NSH | PHO | TEX | TAL | RCH | DAR | DOV | CLT | NSH | KEN | ROA | NHA | DAY | CHI | GTY | IRP | IOW | GLN | MCH | BRI | CGV | ATL | RCH | DOV | KAN | CAL | CLT | GTY | TEX | PHO | HOM | 93rd | 195 | [189] |
| 2011 | DAY 1 | PHO | LVS | BRI | CAL | TEX | TAL | NSH | RCH | DAR | DOV | IOW | CLT | CHI | MCH | ROA | 95th | 01 | [190] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| 9 | DAY 13 | KEN | NHA | NSH | IRP | IOW | GLN | CGV | BRI | ATL | RCH | CHI | DOV | KAN | CLT | TEX | PHO | HOM | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2012 | Richard Childress Racing | 33 | Chevy | DAY 8 | PHO | LVS | BRI | CAL | TEX | RCH | TAL | DAR | IOW | CLT | DOV | MCH | ROA | KEN | DAY | NHA | CHI | IND | IOW | GLN | CGV | BRI | ATL | RCH | CHI | KEN | DOV | CLT | KAN | TEX | PHO | HOM | 121st | 01 | [191] | ||
| 2013 | DAY 1 | PHO | LVS | BRI | CAL | TEX | RCH | TAL | DAR | CLT | DOV | IOW | MCH | ROA | KEN | DAY | NHA | CHI | IND | IOW | GLN | MOH | BRI | ATL | RCH | CHI | KEN | DOV | KAN | CLT | TEX | PHO | HOM | 96th | 01 | [192] | |||||
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | NCTC | Pts | Ref |
| 1996 | Mueller Brothers Racing | 4 | Chevy | HOM | PHO | POR | EVG | TUS | CNS | HPT | BRI | NZH | MLW | LVL | I70 | IRP 10 | FLM | GLN | NSV | RCH | NHA | MAR | NWS | SON | MMR | PHO | LVS | 94th | 134 | [193] | |
| 2002 | Andy Petree Racing | 33 | Chevy | DAY | DAR | MAR | GTY | PPR | DOV | TEX | MEM | MLW | KAN | KEN | NHA | MCH | IRP | NSH | RCH 1 | TEX | SBO | LVS | CAL | PHO | HOM | 69th | 180 | [194] | |||
| 2003 | DAY | DAR | MMR | MAR | CLT | DOV | TEX | MEM | MLW | KAN | KEN | GTW | MCH | IRP | NSH | BRI | RCH 1 | NHA | CAL | LVS | SBO | TEX | MAR | PHO | HOM | 85th | 180 | [195] | |||
| 2004 | Morgan-Dollar Motorsports | 47 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | MAR | MFD | CLT | DOV | TEX | MEM | MLW | KAN | KEN | GTW | MCH | IRP | NSH | BRI | RCH 3 | NHA | LVS | CAL | TEX | MAR | PHO | DAR | HOM | 69th | 165 | [196] |
| 2005 | DAY | CAL | ATL | MAR | GTY | MFD | CLT 33 | DOV 2 | TEX | MCH | MLW | KAN | KEN | MEM | IRP | NSH | BRI | 61st | 234 | [197] | |||||||||||
| Kevin Harvick Inc. | 92 | Chevy | RCH DNQ | NHA | LVS | MAR | ATL | TEX | PHO | HOM | |||||||||||||||||||||
| NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Car owner | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | NFMTC | Pts | Ref |
| 2006 | 94 | Chevy | TMP | STA | JEN | TMP | STA | NHA 9 | HOL | RIV | STA | TMP | MAR | TMP | NHA | WFD | TMP | STA | 56th | 138 | [198] | |
1 Ineligible for series points
(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time.Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| ARCA Menards Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | ARSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2001 | Larry Clement | 40 | Ford | DAY | NSH | WIN | SLM | GTY | KEN | CLT | KAN | MCH | POC | MEM | GLN | KEN | MCH | POC | NSH | ISF | CHI | DSF 2 | SLM | TOL | BLN | CLT | TAL | ATL | 104th | 250 | [199] |
| 2002 | Andy Petree Racing | 55 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | NSH | SLM | KEN | CLT | KAN | POC | MCH | TOL | SBO | KEN | BLN | POC | NSH | ISF | WIN | DSF 2 | CHI | SLM | TAL | CLT | 103rd | 250 | [200] | |||
| 2003 | Tony Stewart | 18 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | NSH | SLM | TOL | KEN | CLT | BLN | KAN | MCH | LER | POC | POC | NSH | ISF | WIN | DSF 1* | CHI | SLM | TAL | CLT | SBO | 113th | 225 | [201] | |||
(key) (Bold – Pole position. * – Most laps led.)
| International Race of Champions results | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Pos. | Points | Ref |
| 1998 | Pontiac | DAY 9 | CAL 7 | MCH 3 | IND 6 | 6th | 37 | [202] |
| 2000 | Pontiac | DAY 2 | TAL 6 | MCH 2 | IND 3 | 3rd | 57 | [203] |
| 2001 | DAY 9 | TAL 10 | MCH 1* | IND 2 | 2nd | 58 | [204] | |
| 2002 | DAY 1 | CAL 6 | CHI 12 | IND 11 | 6th | 42 | [205] | |
| 2006 | Pontiac | DAY 8 | TEX 1 | DAY 1* | ATL 3 | 1st | 72 | [206] |
(key) (Races inbold indicate pole position, Results areoverall/class)
| Rolex Sports Car Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | Make | Engine | Class | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Rank | Points |
| 2002 | Crawford Racing | Crawford | Judd | SR | DAY (46/11) | HOM | FTR | PHO | WGL | DAY (5/5) | WGL | VIR | CMT | DAY | 28th | 46 | |||||
| 2004 | Howard Boss Motorsports | Crawford | Chevrolet | DP | DAY (5/3) | HOM | PHO | MON | WGL | 37th | 83 | ||||||||||
| Pontiac | DAY (3/3) | MOH | WGL (8/8) | HOM | VIR | BAR | CAL | ||||||||||||||
| 2005 | DAY (3/3) | HOM | CAL | LAG | CMT | WAT1 | BAR | WAT2 | DAY2 (22/18) | MOH | PHX | WAT3 (37/21) | VIR | MEX | 56th | 53 | |||||
| 2006 | DAY (30/15) | MEX | HOM | LBH | VIR | LAG | PHX | LRP | WAT1 | DAY2 | BAR | WAT2 | INF | MIL | 117th | 16 | |||||
| 2007 | Howard Motorsports | Porsche | DAY (48/24) | MEX | HOM | VIR | LAG | LRP | WAT1 | MOH | DAY2 | IOW | CGV | BAR | WAT2 | INF | MIL | 122nd | 7 | ||
(key) * – Most laps led.1 – Heat 1 winner.2 – Heat 2 winner.
| Superstar Racing Experience results | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | No. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | SRXC | Pts |
| 2021 | 14 | STA 3 | KNX 1*1 | ELD 11 | IRP 7 | SLG 3 | NSV 2 | 1st | 237 |
| 2022 | FIF 10 | SBO 1* | STA 4 | NSV 11 | I-55 1* | SHA 2 | 4th | 188 | |
| 2023 | STA I 11 | STA II 71 | MMS 3 | BER 7 | ELD 1*12 | LOS 7 | 4th | 166 | |
Tony Stewart had a tire get away from his pit and roll out into the grass
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Indy Racing League Champion 1997 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion 2002 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | NASCAR Nextel Cup Series Champion 2005 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by Jimmie Johnson | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champion 2011 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | IROC Champion IROC XXX (2006) | Succeeded by Final |
| Achievements | ||
| Preceded by | Prelude to the Dream Winner 2006 2008, 2009 | Succeeded by Carl Edwards Jimmie Johnson |
| Preceded by Jeff Gordon Jimmie Johnson | Brickyard 400 winner 2005 2007 | Succeeded by Jimmie Johnson |
| Awards | ||
| Preceded by | Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year 1996 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year 1999 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | Best Driver ESPY Award 2003 2006 2012 | Succeeded by |
Links to related articles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| International | |
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| National | |
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