Where There's Smoke There's Fire

Really now, was there any more fitting way for Tony Stewart to claim his first win as owner-driver in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series?

After crashing in Saturday practice, Stewart started a backup No. 14 Office Depot Chevrolet last in the 43-car field and had to massage the throttle for the last few laps so as not to run out of fuel -- while keeping a hard-charging Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson at bay. ... all to earn the Cup Series' first win for an owner-driver in 11 years.

Sunday's effort at Pocono, Pa. was the kind of driving mastery, grit and determination that proves why the masterful, gritty, determined Stewart is the best true, all-around talent of NASCAR's new generation of racers.

Pocono 500: Stewart Wins on Fumes | Check Results | Series Standings

Stewart has won races and championships in everything he's put foot to pedal -- midgets, sprint cars, Indy cars, and NASCAR's elite Sprint Cup Series. He spends his spare time winning dirt late model races and raising millions of dollars for charity.

He had a cushy championship-caliber existence with Joe Gibbs Racing for the first 10 years of his NASCAR career. The reverent Super Bowl-winning coach and the tell-it-like-it-is racing prodigy formed an unlikely match that produced two championships and made Stewart the first true open-wheel star to challenge the stock car good ol' boys in a generation.

And with all that going for him, Stewart defied skeptics who doubted whether he'd be much of a factor after leaving such a good situation and going it on his own this season with his namesake organization, Stewart-Haas Racing.

For all his off-the-cuff demeanor, Stewart is also very calculating and result-driven. He is the ultimate example of what hard work and extreme talent can produce. He is blue-collar ethic and Ivy League ability.

And even his biggest rivals seem genuinely pleased for him... if not very worried about what this means in the championship hunt.

"The things that he set out to accomplish this year were huge,'' said Edwards. "I personally didn't believe he could get it done -- I did not think he would succeed the way he has so far. So, I'm extremely impressed with that. I can only imagine how good that feels to be able to do what he's done."

Latest NASCAR Images

Tony Stewart (14), Carl Edwards (99) and Matt Kenseth (17) follow the pace car during a restart in the NASCAR Pocono 500 auto race at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., Sunday, June 7, 2009. Stewart won the race, with Edwards in second. Kenseth finished 16th. NASCAR debuted revamped restarts at Pocono in an effort to add more competitive spice and give in to fans clamoring for more excitement. The most obvious change: the race leader has the option to restart on the inside or outside, with the second-place driver pulling alongside. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

Lance McGrew, new crew chief for Dale Earnhardt, Jr., watches the Pocono 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Pocono International Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, Sunday, June 7, 2009. (Steven M. Falk/Philadelphia Daily News/MCT)

MCT

LONG POND, PA - JUNE 07: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet celebrates with the Sunoco checkered flag after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono 500 on June 7, 2009 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

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LONG POND, PA - JUNE 07: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Office Depot/Old Spice Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Pocono 500 on June 7, 2009 at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Geoff Burke/Getty Images for NASCAR) *** Local Caption *** Tony Stewart

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Fans watch the Pocono 500 auto race Sunday, June 7, 2009, from a platform on the top of a camper at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)

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Carl Edwards makes a pit stop at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., during the NASCAR Pocono 500 auto race Sunday, June 7, 2009. Edwards finished in second place. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

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Stewart's success is a very big deal, especially when you consider that Stewart isn't just leading the championship by a comfortable 71 points over four-time champ Jeff Gordon; his team's second car, driven by Ryan Newman is ranked fifth as well and coming off a seventh top-10 run in the last nine races.

It's one thing to drive well for a good team. It's another to win races for your own team. It's yet another to contend for the championship for your own team. Even the great Dale Earnhardt Sr. chose the safer option of owning a team yet driving for another.

Over the years Stewart has taken heat for politically incorrect answers and temperamental reactions. He does not suffer fools -- or the press -- well. But the few that know him well or have worked alongside him would not trade the opportunity. He is the ultimate team player and has the ability to make those that work with him, want to work with him.

When the season started at Daytona Beach in February, Stewart was a wild card. The year was either going to be a disappointing overly-ambitious go for Stewart. Or he would distinguish himself, again.

"It is [more special] because of the group of guys I am working with,'' Stewart said. "I have always had a great group of people to work with at Gibbs. It is just a little different when it is your own.

"You know when you are the one at the end of the day that has to be accountable
for it."

For those that questioned how Stewart would wear so many hats, he's answered with the two hats that matter most -- winning driver, championship leader.

And he's not done yet.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

6-08-2009 @ 2:40AM

Judy said...

I am very excited for Tony and the whole crew. He never ceases to amaze me with his driving skills. Keep up the good work and more power to Stewart-Hass Racing...........

6-08-2009 @ 3:35AM

pick81216 said...

Congrats Tony and your team. You and Newman and your teams have done a great job this year. You are a smart guy buying Hendrick engines and chasis instead of building your own.Hey Tony would you please kick the crap out of Kyle or run him into the wall.The most disrespectful prick nascar has ever seen needs a attitude adjustment.He has been a prick since day one but what he did to the guitar takes the cake.I dont care if he checked with Sam Bass and Gibson and buys 50 of them what he did is so disrespectful to everyone. Fans,Nascar,Drivers,People who worked on the guitar,everyone,what a dick he is.

6-08-2009 @ 11:40AM

gregsachiko said...

Although I did not get to see the race because of my 11 hour flight, but who gives YOU the right to judge other people's action?? If any other driver had done the same thing it would have been alright. Another thing, why do you ask Tony to

"Tony would you please kick the crap out of Kyle or run him into the wall."

Run him in the wall?..this is why people laugh at Nascar, this sport is not about wrecking or/and hurting other people. How would you like it if another kid hits your kid after the whistle was blown and your kid suffers a broken neck?
We are all Americans not some third world country like Somialia (Been there) I swear some of you people act like them sometimes.

Greg

6-08-2009 @ 8:55PM

Kim said...

I have to agree with Greg here. What's the problem with Kyle busting up the guitar? The guy who made it is quoted as saying he thought it was great and wondered why no one else had tried it before. Kyle wanted to give a piece to each of his crew members and then he purchased some more guitars, one of which he has signed and is going up for auction to benefit Victory Junction Camp. So what's the problem? I see none.

I know Kyle's personality can be less than desired sometimes, but the kid is a winner and when he wins, he sure likes to take his team for a ride with him. NASCAR is a team sport. You win as a team and you lose as a team. Yes, he's hard on his team when he loses, but perhaps he has good reason? We are not the ones sitting in the driver's seat so let us all quit back seat driving.

Congatulations to Tony Stewart and crew! Tony is proving to be one heck of an owner as well as a driver and Newman is having one of his best years ever. Congratulations to them both!

Kim

6-08-2009 @ 11:46AM

robert said...

Nascar got what it wanted! Congrats to tony. He and mark martin are the best actual drivers on the track weather you like them or not, but nascar threw that bogus caution for debris because the race had fallen into a bunch of long green flag runs and green flag pit stops. What better way to create drama than throw a yellow flag with 42 laps to go on a track where cars can only run 30-32 laps on a tank of fuel? The real loser in that deal was carl edwards! Think about it! For the past few weeks nascar has been thinking of ways to make the racing more exciting . What a damn good way to start!

6-08-2009 @ 12:45PM

Mrs. Alber said...

GO SMOKE - being a long time fan I am so happy and proud for you. You are a great driver and proving to be a great owner, also congratulations to Ryan Newman - what a gentleman.

6-08-2009 @ 1:57PM

illsell4u said...

Greg, those are the fans that long for the days of pulling for a driver that if he could not beat them he wrecked them. Generally the people that do not like Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson because they can beat you without putting you into the wall. Funny thing is they are also the same people that do not like it when Kyle Busch does the same thing.
Truth be known, I was thinking that since Tony Stewart is getting so much ink these days Kyle Busch is probably about to try to bump him out of a race soon.
mbl

6-08-2009 @ 2:46PM

timsgrl6680 said...

im so glad to see smoke win yesterday because he came so close in dover i no that he did cause i was there great job.keep it up it is your year to shine you deserve it all

6-08-2009 @ 3:37PM

demzrdopes said...

The COT aka whoever gets out front, checks out..

6-08-2009 @ 5:52PM

Jim said...

Great Race! Congrats to Tony and Ryan. Anyone notice Junior missing his pits and then putting David Stremme into the wall cause he was pissed? Must be Tony jrs fault he.....oh yeah. Must be Mcgrews fault he missed his pit AGAIN!! Junior should pray that Toyota never makes Michael Waltrip retire as a driver or he will be the worst driver out there. Hows that short bus trip to the track working out for you, Junior???

6-08-2009 @ 5:59PM

YoFrankeee said...

Tony Stewart did exactly what was warranted. He drove his car FAR better than Crybaby Kyle, and that's good enough for him. Tony and Mark Martin are the class of NASCAR, and two of the best driver's out there. Keep up the great work SMOKE!

6-08-2009 @ 6:35PM

CINDY said...

WELL,NOT TO LONG A GO THATS WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT
STEWART,BUT IT WAS GOOD TO SEE SMOKE GET A WIN!
BUT THE BIGGEST SURPRISE TO ME IS,HOW THE WEEK
BEFORE THEY MADE A BIG DEAL OVER 12TH PLACE,
BUT NOTHING SAID ABOUT FINISHING 27TH AND LOOSING
2 SPOTS IN THE POINTS STANDINGS?WHAT UP
JR NATION?EVERY OTHER HENDRICKS POWERED CAR
IN THE TOP TEN?HEY, FIRE ANOTHER CREW CHIEF!
IT CAN'T BE THE DRIVER!

6-08-2009 @ 7:19PM

Illsell, You do make a good point but pick your favorite driver to win, BUT to have him win by knocking someone out or "in the wall" who in the hell would want to win this way???? I am a Toyota guy and if Kyle would ever attempt to do this I would be in front of my boss demanding he be FIRED! I know they would listen to some of us over here. The Japanese do frown on people who win by not doing it by HONOR! They would investigate but as for everyone else..two wrongs does not make it right. My cousin is a Nascar West driver with two.three Nascar titles and when someone hits him, he would smile and say" His time will come around because Karma is a bitch" He is also a big boy who ran with Kurt and Jimmy when they were in his league.

Greg

6-09-2009 @ 12:18AM

nzcr14 said...

i don't think that PICK THE BIG 5 LOTTERY knows that STEWART & kyle bush were teammates at GIBBS RACING AND for became friends. i don't think that PICK 5 knows that KYLE has learned plenty of skills and tracks insides and tricks from T STEW.
I don't think that BIG 5 PICK knows that KYLE and TONY are still friends.
I don't think that the LOTTERY MAN knows that stewart does not put anybody to the wall or kicks their butt unless they give him a good provocation
and let his temper blow enough to do it.
I'll be the first one to cheer TONY WHEN HE WRECKS SOMEBODY, PICK 5,BUT I WILL NOT CHEER IF THERE WAS NO GOOD MOTIVE FOR TONY TO WRECK OR FIST ATTACK another driver if such driver did not deserve it.
SO please if you are a true stewart fan quit lovering his integrity, thank you.
works for me...

6-09-2009 @ 12:22AM

BY THE WAY; the comments, so far so good. keep up the good work bloggers; i'm reading. thanks.

6-09-2009 @ 10:12AM

roosmccy said...

tony name same old hendrick car

6-09-2009 @ 10:15AM

new hendrick undercover car

6-09-2009 @ 1:50PM

Don Emerson said...

Tony won, but look where he gets his rides from. An Alan Kuwicki he ain't. Tony can drive, and he seems to have mellowed some, so congrats are in order. Poor Jr, he doesn't have a clue. I shudder to think what would have happened if Jr had taken over DEI. kyle Busch, like him or not, is the best driver in Nascar right now, just ask Tony. And finally, Brad if you're reading this, congrats on finally coming out of the closet. It's true, or else how would you know that gum won't take that TASTE from your mouth. Works for me.....

6-09-2009 @ 5:14PM

rosseddie said...

KYLE HAS REPEATLY SHOWN HE HAS NO RESPECT FOR HIS CREW MEMBERS OR NASCAR FANS. HOW HE CAN HAVE ANY FANS IS BEYOND BELIEF. KARMA IS GONNA GET HIM, WATCH HOW POORLY HE'LL PERFORM ON AVERAGE. A CHAMPION = NEVER !!!