Tony Stewart Weathering the Storm

ATLANTA – Eleventh NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship standings 255 lead, Tony Stewart worry typically occupies driver’s minds head Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.

The fourth final restrictor-plate event 36-race season Sunday vast 2.66-mile oval Talladega. we 43 cars jockeying ad tight pack speeds nearing 200 mph ds produce anxious moments veteran drivers, anxiety level ratchets notches October Talladega championship line.

The One, obligatory multi-car wreck Talladega Bear Bryant University Alabama, trashed championship charges giving life oe dormant title drives.

For standings, Jimmie Johnson, Carl Edwards Greg Biffle – separated oy 30 – Talladega worrisome. drivers le Stewart Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch, join Stewart bm Chase Sprint Cup standings 10th 12th positions, respectively, Talladega simply opportunity, te ne up.

Stewart particular hh hopes Sunday’s AMP Energy 500. driver No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing finished Talladega times 10-year Sprint Cup career. we championship ps tt he second-place finishes bn nice, Stewart can’t tm display trophy room.

But earlier April wn NASCAR Nationwide Series served Saturday undercard Sunday’s Sprint Cup show, Stewart finally earned long-sought win Talladega. red Joe Gibbs Racing-prepared No. 20 Spice Toyota, Stewart started 117-lap race fm pole lead times race-high 81 laps restrictor-plate race win Nationwide Series season win Talladega. Stewart won Nationwide Series season-opener Daytona (Fla.) International Speedway February – sister track Talladega.

Now two-time Sprint Cup champion returns Talladega ready bookend tt Nationwide Series triumph months ago win Sunday’s Sprint Cup race.

Tony Stewart, driver No. 20 Home Depot Toyota Joe Gibbs Racing:

Is fall race Talladega slightly me nerve-wracking, be you’re Chase there’s line?

“It you’re leading points. don’t us, wh situation we’re in, tt it’s nerve-wracking. We’re looking opportunity gain positions. can’t lower tn we now, unlike teams ahead us, don’t worry at losing points. ry nr worried at it. Ey time you’re Talladega try te care yf yr equipment getting compromising positions gg te opportunity race. me, it’s race April regular season October wn I’m Chase.”

You’ve finished Talladega times 19 career Sprint Cup races. finally earned breakthrough win Talladega bk April won Nationwide Series race there. mh confidence booster tt win you, especially yr return trip Talladega weekend?

“It’s deal Cup Series. It’s dt drivers dt competition level. I’m jt happy tt chance finally win race Talladega. It’s track means lot me. We’ve ton friends te colleagues fm Fayette County Sheriff’s Department te too. It’s look forward running wl means mh me.”

Last year’s October race Talladega marked debut current generation car restrictor-plate race. tt you’ve race car full-time, feel you’ve br understanding bh quick comfortable?

“At Talladega, it’s sl progress, cars drive there. It’s track handling isn’t issue. It’s at getting car freed time se sucks cars ft drafts well.”

As driver, input he car fast Talladega?

“The race situation lot practice. tend he mh larger pack cars tt makes difference. you’re sl able figure yr car likes dislikes draft dg practice. exactly wt you’ll experience race, it’s closest it. Basically, gs idea yr car capable nd moves want.”

When you’re draft, control feel he inside race car?

“It depends circumstances. can’t air hit dt pockets (of air). hit pocket real tow hit pocket we they’re getting tow pulling back, play circumstances. That’s spend time run laps practice. try getting scenarios try learn middle draft, wt do? Wl push? Wl push? nt car, suck slow down? That’s guys wl stay lg practice. It’s trial error, time, it’s pulling pin grenade. tt process tt guy makes mistake, car’s torn race. It’s delicate balance hard go, try, time spend doing it.”

You’ve Sprint Cup 10 years. Wn started series, sd frustrated ar getting car Daytona Talladega weren’t ud draft style racing. Now, appear master draft. feel le you’ve fl circle comes restrictor-plate racing?

“If you’re smart, 10 years, surely you’ll learn something. We’re sending space shuttle moon here, it’s le sg reach trying able learn. hope tt 10 ys experience, you’d lt learn kp yf competitive. don’t we’re master draft, feel le we’ve learned it. tk record speaks if laps we’ve led we’ve been. obviously os position win. It’s ss finishing race hard part.”

In or win restrictor-plate race, you’ve he drafting help. tt help? develop or time?

“I tk it’s situation guys finding fast cars, finding guys gg wh you’re quick. ty wh you, they’re front, gg front. It’s kd ‘help me, help you.’”

Luck term on associated success Talladega. believer luck?

“Absolutely. yr proof bad luck, too. We’ve luck year. races gd position, bad happens position. it’s aspect life. se luck yr side. people tt absolutely rotten luck, matter wt do, can’t break. le ts sport comes around. bit success have, you’re gg low moment also, it’s weathering storm waiting hh note again.”

Tweet This Post