Tag Archives: Tony Stewart

Top Drivers Differ on Length of Learning Curve at Martinsville

Posted on by

Jimmie Johnson, driver of the #48 Lowe’s Chevrolet, sits in his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series STP 500 at Martinsville Speedway on March 31, 2017 in Martinsville, Virginia. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

When it comes to negotiating Martinsville Speedway successfully, Jimmie Johnson thinks of the learning process as a light bulb suddenly illuminating.

Denny Hamlin, on the other hand, thinks the use of data in analyzing the fastest way around the track has made it much easier to flip the switch than it used to be. Continue reading →

Clint Bowyer Will Save the Celebration until he Wins

Posted on by

Clint Bowyer, driver of the #14 Rush Truck Centers Ford, gets into his car during practice for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway on March 25, 2017 in Fontana, California. Photo – Sarah Crabill/Getty Images

Even though he had just posted his best Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series finish since 2015, Clint Bowyer didn’t expect effusive praise from the driver he succeeded in the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford.

So when Bowyer pulled on to pit road at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday after running third behind race winner Kyle Larson and runner-up Brad Keselowski in the Auto Club 400, Tony Stewart’s reaction, as a car owner, was predictably restrained. Continue reading →

Patient Kurt Busch Wins Wild Daytona 500—Without Looking Back

Posted on by

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

His car damaged in a wreck on the backstretch and held together with tape, Kurt Busch grabbed the lead on the final lap of the 59th Daytona 500 on Sunday and took the checkered flag in the Great American Race as a capstone to a checkered career that has trended upward since Busch joined Stewart-Haas Racing in 2014.

In a race that featured the first test of a new three-stage race format in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series—and featured enough twisted sheet metal to keep fabricators busy for a month—Busch surged to the front with a run around the outside when more than half the vehicles in an 11-car lead draft sputtered and ran short on fuel.

Having pushed other drivers to victory in the 500 on three previous occasions, Busch took the prize himself this time, finishing 0.228 seconds ahead of Ryan Blaney, who came from the rear of the lead pack on the final two laps. Continue reading →

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 Preview

Posted on by

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team return to action for 500 miles over 200 laps in the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, February 26, 2017.  FOX will start their coverage at 1 pm ET with a green flag around 2 pm ET and radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

He’s Back. Dale Jr. Set To Return At Daytona

After missing the final 18 races of the 2016 season Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns to his No. 88 Chevrolet for Sunday’s 59th running of the DAYTONA 500.

Earnhardt, a two-time DAYTONA 500 winner, qualified second for Sunday’s race, a mere 0.002 seconds behind Chase Elliott. In 34 total starts at “The Birthplace of Speed,” he has four wins, 13 top fives and 19 top-tens. Continue reading →

Tony Stewart’s Quick Wit Shines Through during Ford Press Conference

Posted on by

Tony Stewart, co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, looks on in the garage area during practice for the 59th Annual DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway on February 24, 2017 in Daytona Beach, Florida. Photo – Brian Lawdermilk/Getty Images

Just because Tony Stewart has retired from Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing doesn’t mean the co-owner of Stewart-Haas racing has lost his quick wit and sense of humor.

Stewart’s penchant for repartee was in full evidence on Saturday morning when he answered questions from reporters during a Ford Performance press conference at Daytona International Speedway.

Before Stewart could get into his shtick, however, he had to take some good-natured ribbing from fellow Ford owners Roger Penske and Jack Roush. Penske, known for his white button-down shirts, chided Stewart about the black shirt Smoke was wearing. Continue reading →