Tony Stewart Talladega Busch Preview

When Old Spice driver Tony Stewart jumps behind the wheel of the No. 33 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS this weekend he will be looking for three straight top-10 finishes for Kevin Harvick Inc. (KHI). Stewart finished eighth in the season-opening NASCAR Busch Series race at Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway. He followed up that run with a third-place finish at Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway. Stewart will compete in eight races for KHI in 2007.

DID YOU KNOW?: Tony Stewart has 69 career NASCAR Busch Series starts. In those 69 starts, Stewart has two wins (Daytona ’05, ’06), four poles, 16 top-five and 21 top-10 finishes. Stewart’s two Busch Series wins both came driving KHI Chevrolets.

STEWART PULLING DOUBLE-DUTY: Tony Stewart will pull double-duty for the fifth time this season. Stewart will compete in the Aaron’s 312 Busch Series event on Saturday with Kevin Harvick Inc. and the Aaron’s 499 Cup Series race on Sunday with Joe Gibbs Racing.

THIS RACE, ONE YEAR AGO: Tony Stewart saw a very promising day at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway come to a sliding halt. Stewart, who started 17th, wasted no time taking the lead of the race in just eight laps and appeared to be in contention for his second speedway win of the Busch Series season. Unfortunately, on lap 66, an incident in the tri-oval sent Stewart’s Old Spice Monte Carlo SS onto its roof and sliding down the track towards the start/finish line. Stewart would walk away from the accident uninjured, but the same couldn’t be said about his Old Spice machine. Stewart and the No. 33 team would end the day in 39th.

OPERATION WAX SMOKE: Tony Stewart said on his SIRIUS radio show that if someone would make a $100,000 donation to the Victory Junction Gang Camp (VJGC), he would wax his chest and back. “I thought it was a hilarious way to raise money for an excellent cause. I am calling on my fans (and Tony’s too!) to make a donation in an effort to raise $100,000 for the Victory Junction Gang Camp,” said Kevin Harvick. “Plus, it’s a way to have a good laugh at Tony’s expense.” For more information please visit our website, KevinHarvick.com, to find out how you can be a part of “Operation: Wax Smoke”!

KHI HOLDING STRONG IN POINT STANDINGS: Although there have been five different drivers behind the wheel of the No. 33 this season, the Dan Stillman-led crew sits eighth in the NASCAR Busch Series Owner point standings.

Dan Stillman Quotes:

On Talladega Superspeedway? “I am looking forward to it. The new surface has a lot of grip and should make for some good racing. The track hasn’t had time to age much so there should be a lot of grooves. I think it is going to be good for us, not to mention Tony Stewart will be behind the wheel, which he has a great record on superspeedways. After Daytona earlier this year, I’m excited to go down to Talladega. I’m certain that we’ll have a good car, we just need a little luck and Stewart will take care of the rest.”

What is the biggest benefit having Tony Stewart behind the wheel? “It’s Tony Stewart, what else can you ask for? He is a two-time champion with great knowledge of the sport. He knows what it takes to be a winner and that is what we need here at KHI.”

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