Tony Stewart and his fans aren’t giving up any time soon, despite a disappointing season so far. Photo – Todd Warshaw/Getty Images
With just eight races left to run in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series regular season, three-time champion Tony Stewart is searching for answers on how to get his team on the right track. To say this has been a ‘disappointing season’ is most likely an understatement considering Stewart’s stats from 18 starts this year which include three races he didn’t finish because of issues. With an average start of 17.2, an average finish of 25.1 and a 33rd-place finish at Kentucky Speedway with a new low downforce package, Stewart and his fans are left wondering when a more positive direction for his No. 14 team will come.
“Honestly, we’re just kind of trying to get our program back on track,’ says Stewart. “I don’t know that we’ve circled any track and said anything right now. It’s been a disappointing year up to this point. It seems like no matter what the package is, we seem to fight the same balance.
“So, you know, we’re desperately trying to figure out what it’s going to take to move the needle, I guess, so to speak. You know, you hope you get it done at a race like the Brickyard, for sure. The big thing is trying to figure out what’s going on and trying to find out what we got to do to move the needle a little bit.”
Stewart went on to say the problems he’s had this season, have more to do with him than with those on his team. So he’s not blaming anyone, except himself for their issues. Although on the surface, it may seem that his team is in a bleak situation, it’s clear that Stewart believes in those on his team.
“You know, I still really like working with Chad Johnston (Stewart’s crew chief). I don’t feel like he’s what’s holding us back. There’s something about the way this package is that just doesn’t suit my driving style.
“So, you know, I’m holding him and the team back versus vice versa. So it’s just a matter of me trying to figure it out, figure out how to go forward and get our cars better.”
As small as it may seem at this point, there is still a glimmer of hope for Stewart and his team.
First of all, Stewart nor his fans are giving up for this season. That’s because he’s been here before and ended up with his third championship. His 2011 season was in a similar situation at this point, with the only difference being in where Stewart placed the blame. At that time, Stewart declared his team ‘doesn’t deserve’ a place in the Chase. As history tells the rest of this story, Stewart and his then crew chief, Darian Grubb parted ways at the end of the season, after qualifying for the Chase and winning five of the ten Chase races and bringing home the Sprint Cup Series title. Despite a tie with Carl Edwards in the point standings, Stewart had the edge because Edwards had only one win in the regular season. Stewart’s five Chase victories made all the difference in an otherwise dismal season.
Is it possible that Stewart and his team could do that again?
“Honestly, you know, when we had the improvements in 2011, it literally was overnight,”I didn’t see that coming obviously then. So, I mean, to tell you whether it’s going to be gradual or all at once, that’s hard to say, as well.
“To me, I don’t care how we get there. I don’t care if it takes one week or if it takes six weeks to get there, the main thing is just getting there.
“We’re going to keep working hard and keep pushing to try to find that. With the way this format is, I mean, all it takes is one good race for us to get in top-30 in the points. If we can find whatever it is that we’ve been missing, you know, one race can change our whole season. That’s the driving force every week.”
After the race at Kentucky last weekend, Stewart is now ranked 28th in the series point standings, meaning he won’t qualify for the Chase via points, unless he gets a win before the first race of the Chase at Chicagoland Speedway in September. With just eight races between now and then, perhaps Stewart’s best chance is his home track, Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Stewart has his own unique perspective when considering the possibility.
“Well, I mean, I don’t think it’s any secret to anybody that we’re struggling. So, you know, you’re always excited to race at home. I’m always excited to be at the Brickyard. That’s just a place that’s special to me.
“It’s disheartening that we’re not running good. But I guess it would be a ton worse if we were running really well and all of a sudden we got to the Brickyard and didn’t run well at the Brickyard. That would be worst-case scenario.
“I think for us right now, we’ll still work as hard as we can to get the best result we can get out of it.”
So although the No. 14 results are disappointing so far, the good news is that Stewart and his Stewart Haas Racing team are still working hard if not harder than ever to get to victory lane. If anyone can make that happen with their scenario as it stands now, there’s a precedent indicating Stewart is a competitor that won’t give up at any point this season.
Another thought to consider, is that although the low downforce package used at Kentucky was not what Stewart needed to turn his season around, there’s a another new high drag package that Sprint Cup teams will use at Indianapolis and Michigan, that could be just what Stewart needs. Those tracks are two of the next eight races.
When will Stewart find his way to victory lane? Stay tuned…because whatever happens, there’s potentially an interesting storyline for fans to watch unfold.
This weekend, the Sprint Cup Series races the 5-Hour Energy 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, with the live broadcast on NBC Sports Network at 1 pm ET and a green flag at 1:30 pm ET.