Tony Stewart biography
Date of birth : 1971-05-20
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Columbus, Indiana, United States
Nationality : American
Category : Sports
Last modified : 2011-11-07
Credited as : auto racing driver, Stewart-Haas Racing, NASCAR Cup
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Stewart currently owns and drives the No. 14 Office Depot/Mobil 1/Burger King Chevrolet Impala in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series for his own team, Stewart-Haas Racing under crew chief Darian Grubb.
Tony Stewart burst onto the Sprint Cup scene in 1999 with more experience in the big leagues of motorsports than most other rookies. Posting three wins in his rookie season Stewart then laughed off the "sophomore slump" jinx with six more wins in 2000.
Tony used to have trouble with his temper. On the track his driving style is often called over-aggressive by his fellow competitors. He has been known to hit other drivers on the track, on pit road and with his fists. During his 2002 title-winning season he spent some time on probation for hitting a photographer and was investigated by a local sheriff's department for pushing a fan.
Tony seems to have gotten that under control. His 2005 Championship season was unmarred by off track incidents. It may have taken Tony a few years to learn it. But NASCAR greatness is only 60% driving ability. The other 40% is your off-track and media personality.
In 2009 Tony Stewart starts a new chapter in his racing career. Stewart left Joe Gibbs Racing to become an owner/driver of Stewart-Haas Racing. This has been a rocky road for other established NASCAR stars like Darrell Waltrip, Ricky Rudd and Michael Waltrip who all tried to be owner/drivers with mixed levels of success
Career Highlights:
1995 - First driver to ever win the USAC Triple Crown (Midget, Sprint and Silver Crown Championships in the same year)
1996 - IRL Rookie Of The Year
1997 - IRL Series Champio
1999 - Sprint Cup Raybestos Rookie Of The Year
2002 - Sprint Cup Champion
2005 - Brickyard 400 winner
2005 - Sprint Cup Champion
2009 - Became Owner/Driver of Stewart-Haas Racing