Stewart clinches Winston Cup Title

nascar.com ^ | 11-17-2002

[WSGilcrest]

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Tony Stewart dodged disaster on two restarts with less than 40 laps remaining and clinched his first Winston Cup championship by finishing 18th Sunday in the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

	Tony Stewart was all smiles before the green flag on Sunday. Credit: Autostock

Neither Stewart nor Mark Martin, who came into the race 89 points behind in second, managed to lead a lap in the 267-lap event on the flat, 1.5-mile oval.

But Martin was only able to finish fourth, gaining less than 40 points. He was falling backwards at the finish, while Stewart, who had swore he would try to win, ended up never having a shot.

The finish, however, secured Stewart's sixth major series championship since 1994 -- but his newest is by far the most prestigious. Stewart won his first national championship in 1994, when he claimed the USAC Midget title. The next season, Stewart swept USAC's "triple crown" -- winning championships in the Midget, Silver Crown and Sprint Car divisions.

After winning the IRL Rookie of the Year title in 1996, Stewart won that Indy car division's championship in 1997. The year before he had started making inroads into NASCAR, running in the Busch Series with Ranier Walsh Racing.

Stewart's closest escape came only two laps after a restart at lap 234, when John Andretti blew the engine in his No. 43 Chex Dodge going into Turn 3.

Stewart was behind Andretti and had to drive to the apron, while other drivers were trapped high, including Robby Gordon, who spun his Cingular Chevrolet after popping through the smokescreen created by Andretti's problem.

On the restart from that cleanup, Stewart was caught in a three-wide run through Turns 3 and 4, when Ricky Rudd passed Jason Leffler in the bottom groove while Stewart was caught on the high side.

Stay tuned to NASCAR.com for further detais.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

Maybe now he can relax and not endanger lives on the track with his recklessness. Naww.....

[WSGilcrest]

At least until February.

[umgud]

I demand a recount. The announcer called him a winner before the race was over.

[My Favorite Headache]

Was really pulling for Mark Martin. I could barely watch the last 40 laps.He came so close. Notice 3 things here:

1.Dale Jarrett coming over and being a class act and congradulating Tony and his crew on camera.

2. Mark Martin going to Jeff Gordon and thanking him for his help today to try and win the championship.

3. Warning to all Chevy fans...Kurt Busch is next years winner.

[aomagrat]

How long before he clobbers a photographer with the trophy?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I just think he's dangerous. Marlin, too. Years ago that kind of driving was more common with a wider variety of cars, but not with everyone driving the same thing and going around the track in a train as it is now. Seems most of it now is aerodynamics, not raw power (since they are so close in power anymore), and he seems to adjust for lack of power by being careless. Just my opinion. Maybe he's just young.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

ROFL.

[strela]

Congratulations to a guy who drives in circles better than all the other guys. Whoopee!

(ducking to avoid the incoming fire)

[ewing]

He is #1 at left turns! (just kidding, guys )

[Teacher317]

I also noticed the top-notch rookies in this year's field. Jimmie Johnson and Ryan Newman are in the top 7 in points, Newman had the most poles, Johnson tied for the second most wins... together they had 24 top 5 finishes, 45 in the top ten, and earned over $7 million.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

OVALS. There's a difference.

[RedBloodedAmerican]

You have to take a right leaving the pit stop!! C'mon, give them a break! LOL

[strela]

OVALS. There's a difference.

Ah, that makes it much more clear!

(Resisting the urge to ask if a rookie driver just out of high school is called an Ovalteen) ...

[RedBloodedAmerican]

If we all drove Segways that way, this would a standing ovation or something like that. must....get....sleep....

[ewing]

I stand corrected, a small right hander after refuel.

[TommyDale]

Who was it here that told me about mid-season that Jarrett would win, being only 90+ points behind Stewart?

[sausageseller]

I'm sure some press maggot is already on the ground crying now!

Any "real freeper" should know never to believe ANYTHING from the press!

[Light Speed]

Congratulations to Joe Gibbs racing for his second Winston Cup Championship..and his maturing driver..."The Great Pumpkin"...Tony Stewart.

Tony showed what it takes to win a championship about 6 races ago...he listened to his spotters...he accepted the call from the wall...he kept his mouth shut...and yes..he stopped giving right hooks to people who pissed him off.
Way to go Tony....Orange and Black never looked so good together.

[RichardW]

Dale Jarrett got up several races ago and pointed out that Tony Stewart was a big reason those stands were full every race. I have been a fan of Stewart since he broke in. As far as being dangerous on the track, he hasn't been this way since his rookie year. He races hard and wants to win every race. Imagine if we had 43 racers like Stewart. I don't watch racers for the public relations skills. I want to see them race their heart out. Tony has done that every race.