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With future secure, Tony Stewart in hunt for first victory at AllState 400
By BILL FLEISCHMAN
For the Daily News
Jul 24, 2008
Thankfully, for Tony Stewart's sake, he is apparently as skilled at multitasking as he is driving race cars. In his final season driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart is trying to qualify again for the NASCAR Chase for the Championship. The two-time Sprint Cup titlist also is focusing on organizing his new lineup for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Stewart plans to announce the sponsors and car number for his Chevrolet team tomorrow in Indianapolis. Reportedly, his car number will be 14, the number carried by A.J. Foyt, a racing idol of Stewart's.
Stewart is a co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, which is expected to field two Chevy teams starting next year. It will be a while before Stewart can work with co-owner Gene Haas, though; Haas is serving 2 years in prison for tax evasion. Haas founded Haas Automation, the world's largest manufacturer of machine tools.
Asked on a Tuesday conference call if he is feeling a double dose of pressure, Stewart replied that making the decision on where he will be next year "has taken a lot of pressure off me. When your guys don't know what you're going to do for sure, it makes it a little bit tense. We've found ways to laugh and joke and keep each other relaxed.
"I can't say it's a big weight lifted off my shoulders, because it's like you just switched weights. We took one off our shoulders and added another one on."
Stewart, 37, had his first meeting with the No. 66 and No. 70 Haas CNC teams last week. Scott Riggs drives the No. 66 Chevy and a revolving cast has driven the No. 70. Riggs is 35th in points.
"I'm not sure I fully understand exactly what's holding them back right now," Stewart said. "I do know that they've got good resources. It's just a matter of figuring out where the break is in the system."
Haas CNC gets its engines and chassis from Hendrick Motorsports, one of the most successful teams in the Cup series.
Stewart thrives on challenges. He owns race teams in the USAC sprint car series and the World of Outlaws series. He also owns Eldora Speedway in Ohio.
"I've enjoyed being an owner in USAC and the World of Outlaws," he said. "I have no doubt I'm going to enjoy being an owner in the Cup series. The good thing is, I have an option now. I don't know how long I'm going to be a driver."
Speculation has Ryan Newman as Stewart's new teammate. Newman announced recently that he is leaving Penske Racing after this season.
Stewart said he's looking for a teammate who is "dedicated to what we're trying to do. You don't want a guy who's just content to run in the top 15 or 20. You want a guy who expects to make the Chase and win races and championships."
Newman said Tuesday that he doesn't have a timeline to make his decision.
"Maybe it's like being in high school," he said, "and you have an opportunity to date a bunch of girls. You don't know when you're going to get a date; it just happens. I think that's how it's going to work out for me."
Stewart, 10th in the points standings, is overdue for his first victory of the year. His best finish was second at Atlanta in the season's fourth race.
"We've really started to hit on things the last three or four races," he said. "The consistency in our runs are going to be a key factor."
Philly teens go racin'
Four teenage students from Philadelphia Urban Youth Racing School are interning with Craftsman Truck Series teams this week in Mooresville, N.C.
Kyle Baker is with David Starr's team; Jeremy Ortiz is with Brendan Gaughan; Brigette Depalma and Chris Lawrence are with the teams of T.J. Bell and Donny Lia.
After working in the race shops, the students will head to Indianapolis for Sunday's AllState 400. This is the fifth year of the Craftsman Career Development Apprenticeship Week.
Sign of the times
With the slumping economy and high gas prices affecting attendance at NASCAR races, Lowe's Motor Speedway is offering a plan to draw fans for the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 11 at the Concord, N.C., race track.
Marcus Smith, president and general manager of the speedway, said the plan involving hotels, concessions and souvenirs will save fans 30 percent. Smith said 35 hotels in the area are reducing their rates by 15 percent and waving minimum stay requirements.
Hopefully, hotels around the circuit charging exorbitant rates on race weekends will get the message.
For more information, visit www.lowesmotorspeedway.com .*
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