His zodiac sign is Taurus, and he was born in the United States. Stewart got off to a scary start for the 2001 season: during the Daytona 500, he was involved in an 18-car crash on lap 173. Stewart won two races in 2010: the Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on September 5, 2010, and the Pepsi Max 400 at Auto Club Speedway on October 10, 2010. The win propelled him up 4 positions to 16th, into a Wildcard spot. [94], On September 24, 2014, a grand jury declined to indict Stewart on charges of manslaughter in the second-degree and criminally negligent homicide. [63] Stewart pitted with significant front-right damage, and later took responsibility for the accident, saying that "when it got three-wide that particular lap, it got away from me". Under the caution, Stewart was on pit road and his crew was surveying the massive damage he received from the crash; when an enraged Busch pulled alongside and gave Stewart a profane gesture to express his feelings over the incident. Stewart was fined $50,000, stripped of 25 driver & owner points, and put on probation for the rest of 2004. This page was last edited on 26 February 2023, at 17:16. It's given me the time to think about life and how easy it is to take it for granted. NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart is engaged to Leah Pruett, the NHRA drag racer he began dating at the start of the coronavirus pandemic. The Tony Stewart Foundation will raise and donate funds to charitable interests, specifically those that support the aforementioned groups.[111]. Although he climbed out under his own power, Stewart was transported by ambulance to the infield care center. he proposed to actress/model Pennelope Jimenez back in 2017 but ultimately called things off in 2019. Stewart finished a solid 2nd place in 2 (of 31) starts, ahead of six drivers with more starts, and had an average finish that was comparable to some of the series' top 10 finishers. [15] Not surprisingly, he ran away with the Winston Cup Rookie of the Year award. [48] The injuries were bad enough that Stewart's streak of 521 consecutive Sprint Cup starts, dating back to the 1999 Daytona 500, ended. After initially refusing to take responsibility for the incident he apologized the next day.[24]. IndyCar driver Marco Andretti provided a glimpse at the ceremony with a video posted on Instagram on Sunday, November 21. Tony Stewart Announces Engagement to Leah Pruett So excited to spend the rest of my life with a truly amazing woman. Stewart apologized for the contact in victory lane and during the victory lane interview, Stewart was penalized 25 points and fined $25,000 for violating NASCAR's policy on the use of obscene language during interviews during the race. He was subbed by Regan Smith and Jeff Burton for those races. 2005 was one of Stewart's most successful years in the Nextel Cup Series as he won his second Cup title. On lap 88 of 110, Stewart got spun out by Vickers as retaliation for an earlier collision in the race. Then the next race at Daytona, Stewart finished 26th due to a late wreck, but moved up to 30th in the points and currently became part of the Chase for the first time since 2012. The ASCoC is an American motorsports sanctioning body of Sprint Cars founded in 1970. Hometown: Columbus, Ind. ", At Michigan, Stewart ran in the top-five. and taunting the Earnhardt nation for celebrating the 4th anniversary of Earnhardt's last win in 2008. 99 Roush Fenway team) and Old Spice. Stewart was later announced that he was okay and ripped on Goodyear for not bringing any quality tires. On October 30, 2011, at Martinsville Speedway, Stewart won the Tums Fast Relief 500, leading three times for 14 laps and moving into championship contention in second place in the points standings. Love you babe!. The rest of his finishing positions had been in the upper 10's or lower 20's. As the most recent series champion not among the Top 35 in owners' points, Stewart was first in line for past champions' provisionals for the first five races of 2009. On July 29, 2007, after leading a race-high 65 of 160 laps, Stewart won the Brickyard 400 again, just 45 minutes from where he grew up. Tony Stewart and Leah Pruett headed to Los Cabos and . Recently, it transpired that Tony Stewart and drag racer Leah Pruett are dating each other. One of Stewart's pit-crew members jumped out of the way of Busch's car to avoid being hit, while Busch was parked for the contact made on pit road. 14 Office Depot-sponsored Chevrolet. On lap 109 of the UAW-Dodge 400, Stewart's car cut a tire and slammed hard into the turn 3 retaining wall. At Bristol, Stewart blew his tire on lap 3 and cut a brake line; he came back out over 20 laps down, unable to contend for the victory. As of 2022, he has no children. They announced their engagement on March 19, 2021. GAINESVILLE, Fla. Tony Stewart usually lets guys with families hit the runway first following NASCAR races. With 3 laps to go in the 2008 Coca-Cola 600, Stewart cut a tire and saved it from contact with the wall. However, despite the controversy, he went on to win the very next week at Watkins Glen. The 2001 season was not without controversy. [87], The incident took place the night before Stewart was scheduled to race in the Cup Series' Cheez-It 355 at Watkins Glen International; however, Stewart decided not to compete in the event, and Regan Smith started in his place. I think I ran myself out of fuel; my team apologized and said "sorry for running you out of fuel", I think I ran myself out of fuel.". After the race Stewart said: It was a confidence boost for me. Click to reveal Stewart showed no signs of a sophomore slump in the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, winning a series-high[16] six races (Martinsville, New Hampshire, Michigan, Homestead, and both Dover races). For other people with the same name, see, Last edited on 26 February 2023, at 17:16, "Tony Stewart at the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America", "Where There's Smoke: Up Close With Tony Stewart, NASCAR's Nastiest Driver", "Tony Stewart's love of racing will be treasured in NASCAR Hall of Fame", "NASCAR: Tony Stewart wins championship on tie-breaker", "Tony Stewart steals the spotlight at 2020 NASCAR Hall of Fame induction", "NASCAR formally inducts its 11th Hall of Fame class", "Tony Stewart weds Leah Pruett in Mexico", National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame - Tony Stewart, "Tony Stewart set to race in inaugural Xfinity Series event at Indianapolis", "Tony Stewart calls off July return to NASCAR at Indianapolis", "A Nascar Newcomer Will Keep The Indy 500 In His Sights", "Top 10 Rookie Campaigns at NASCAR's Highest Level", "CNNSI.com 2001 Indy 500 NASCAR's Stewart pulling double duty again", "AUTO RACING; 'The Call' Is Answered in Earnhardt's Pepsi 400 Victory", "PLUS: AUTO RACING; Further Probation For Irate Stewart", "Castroneves, Penske verbally agree on long-term deal", "Stewart-Kenseth crash leads to verbal sparring", "High Performance Industrial Tools and Accessories", "Stewart takes blame for incident at Pocono", "Stewart left chasing 11th instead of defending title", Defending NASCAR champion Brad Keselowski could miss Chase, "Chasers lucky Stewart didn't get fit sooner", "Tony Stewart Snares 21st Annual Chili Bowl Nationals Finale", "Stewart says NASCAR rigged like wrestling", "Stewart snaps 43-race winless skid, snags first Talladega victory Sprint Cup, NASCAR CBSSports.com NASCAR, IRL, F1", "SPORTS BRIEFING | AUTO RACING; Stewart Joins Haas Team", "Stewart rolls out new cars, will race under No. Stewart got collected in a multi-car crash, which started when Robby Gordon repaid Greg Biffle some retaliation, and Stewart t-boned Biffle. Joe Gibbs Racing changed manufacturers, so he and Labonte were now driving Chevrolets instead of Pontiacs. She has been married for 49 years. The wedding took place in Los Cabos. Stewart won the Turkey Night Grand Prix midget car event at Irwindale, California, which he called, one of his greatest wins ever."[10]. Instead of waiting for race officials, an indignant Ward exited his vehicle and walked onto the track, gesticulating in defiance as Stewart approached. Tony Stewart Marriages. Previously, he was married to Cindy Cash, the daughter of Johnny Cash in the year 1983, and later divorced in 1988. After Richmond, Stewart was 22nd in the points standings with 207 points, 136 behind Jimmie Johnson. He also suffered a shoulder injury due to two heavy crashes in both the Busch and Cup races at Charlotte during the Memorial Day Weekend races (Stewart's Busch car hit the Turn 4 wall so hard it even knocked the rear end off the car). If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. For his Indianapolis 500 debut, he initially qualified on the outside of the front row, but the disqualification of Arie Luyendyk's time and the death of his teammate Scott Brayton a week later propelled Stewart to the pole position. The racing community is a large family, as you guys know. At Richmond, Stewart looked to be in contention for the win as he was 5th on a green-white-checkered finish, but in a fashion similar to his confrontation with Logano at Fontana; after a poor restart he lost a few positions. Tell us about the Tony Stewart Foundation. On Thursday night, Tony Stewart announced his engagement to girlfriend and NHRA Top Fuel drag racer Leah Pruett. [56] Stewart ran the Sprint Unlimited and was collected in a nine-car crash, though he was able to exit his car under his own power and without any pain. On July 1, 2006, Stewart dominated the Pepsi 400 but after a pit stop seemed like an unlikely contender for the win. Stewart won the 1st duel of the Gatorade Duels at Daytona when his new driver Danica Patrick hit the wall hard on the backstretch on the final lap, which brought out the caution. Jimmie Johnson afterward did so from 2006 to 2010. This was 100 percent an accident. Stewart's crash was greatly overshadowed by Dale Earnhardt's fatal crash on the last lap. 14 sprint car, the very car that broke his leg in 2013. He ultimately relented and ran the race, dominating and holding off Canadian road ringer Ron Fellows for the win. It's a very emotional time for all involved, and it is the reason I've decided not to participate in today's race at Watkins Glen. [70] Stewart's teammate Harvick would eventually win. Ward's father, Kevin Ward Sr., wrote a letter vowing to "pursue to make all remedies for Kevin,"[96] implying the civil lawsuit they later filed. With the advent of the Indy Racing League (IRL), which intended to provide opportunities for grassroots racers, Stewart found his way into Indy car racing; after unsuccessful negotiations with A. J. Foyt Racing, he signed early in 1996 for Team Menard as a last-minute addition for the abridged three-race initial season. After his victory in Indianapolis, The Home Depot presented fans who presented the advertisement of his Allstate 400 win with a discount on purchasing bricks. He fell to second in points following reseeding when Mark Martin, who won more races than Stewart, moved ahead of him. Anthony Wayne Stewart (born May 20, 1971), nicknamed Smoke,[2] is an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver, current NASCAR team co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing, and current co-owner of the Superstar Racing Experience. Stewart finished 4th but stated that after what he went through from August to then, finishing 4th felt like a win to him. Tell me how a lap before (the incident) everything was fine, but the following lap was poor lighting. The season ended on a positive note for Stewart, as he won the Owner's Championship with Kevin Harvick. Stewart's USAC midget and sprint cars carry No. In 1996, he made his NASCAR Busch Series debut, driving for car owner Harry Rainer. Stewart finished third not being passed by Matt Kenseth, his fifth top 5 in a row. Stewart took the worst of it, as his car turned backward after being hit by Ward Burton, pushed over Robby Gordon, then flipped twice in midair, hooked Bobby Labonte's hood, and came to a stop in the infield. Founded in 2003 by Stewart, the principal purposes of the Tony Stewart Foundation are to raise and donate funds to help care for chronically ill children, drivers injured in motorsports activities, and to support other charitable organizations in the protection of various animal species. Stewart finished the year with a last-place finish at Homestead-Miami, ending his 15-year winning streak. At Fontana, Stewart ran well for most of the day, leading laps and running on an alternate pit cycle, and nearly contended for the win. On November 21, 2021, Tony Stewart wed Leah Pruett, an NHRA Top Fuel Drag racer. At Talladega, Stewart struggled to lead a lap, and eventually did so; with assistance from Ryan Newman, Paul Menard, and Joey Logano, he led an additional 29 laps and captured the two-point bonus for leading the most laps. Back in 2009 when Tony Schumacher and I were both representing the U.S. Army, I got to hang out with him and Don Schumacher at the U.S. Nationals. Pruett debuted in Top Fuel in 2013 with Dote Racing after previously competing in Pro Mod and Nostalgia Funny Car. They will take on the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) during the 2022 season while spearheading Tony Stewart Racing, a new entry to the series. An ad blocker has likely prevented this video content from loading. At the All-Star Race at Charlotte, he finished 5th behind Kevin Harvick, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin, and Jeff Burton. Since July 8, 1997, Stuart has been married to country artist Connie Smith who is also a singer. [123][124], (key) (Races in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest lap), (key) (Bold Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Late in the race, Stewart tangled with rookie Kyle Larson when Larson threw a block, leaving Stewart with an 11th-place finish. Stewart gained 12 spots in the standings, from 32nd to 20th.[57]. On April 24, 2016, Stewart returned to racing in the Toyota Owners 400 at Richmond,[79] where he finished 19th. The top power couple in professional motorsports has kicked off the offseason with an extravagant wedding. [9] In 1980, he won his first championship. In the following week, Stewart implied the cautions were "bogus" and that NASCAR is "rigged like professional wrestling".[29]. It was announced after Watkins Glen that Dillon would drive Stewart's car for Michigan. ", "NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart and NHRA Winner Leah Pruett Officially Married", NASCAR Winston Cup Series Rookie of the Year, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tony_Stewart&oldid=1141758980, 1995, 2002 Hoosier Auto Racing Fans Driver of the Year, 2002 Hoosier Auto Racing Fans Hall of Fame inductee, In 2007, Stewart appeared in commercials for. 14 car in NASCAR. On Thursday, March 18, Stewart announced that he and girlfriend Leah Pruett, a popular NHRA Top Fuel drag racer, would be getting married. His momentum was killed briefly by a 28th-place run at Sonoma and a 20th-place finish at Kentucky, but Stewart then rebounded to a second-place finish at the Coke Zero 400. Stewart got a podium finish in the inaugural 2021 SRX Series race at Stafford Motor Speedway, finishing third. Following his win in the Pepsi 400, Stewart began climbing the fence separating the fans from the race track after each victory, borrowing IndyCar Series driver Hlio Castroneves' trademark move. Stewart started on a higher note in the 2004 season as he finished second in the Gatorade 125. Stewart announced he would move to Haas CNC Racing to drive a Haas Chevrolet, with sponsorships from Office Depot (relocating from the No. [54] On August 19, 2013, Stewart was ruled out for the remainder of the season. Retired NASCAR driver Tony Stewart is getting married, and Stewart-Haas Racing Team owner and his fianc, NHRA Top Fuel driver Leah Pruett, announced their engagement on their social media accounts Thursday night. 14, Ty Dillon to spend time in two Cup rides", "Tony Stewart to make Sprint Cup return at Richmond this weekend", "Induction into USAC Hall of Fame kicks off Stewart's final Brickyard weekend", "TONY STEWART TO BE INDUCTED INTO USAC HOF; NEWMAN TO COMPETE THURSDAY AT LUCAS OIL RACEWAY - USAC Racing", "Local hero Doug Coby wins inaugural race in Tony Stewart/Ray Evernham SRX Series", "Stewart fends off Swanson for second straight SRX win", "Stewart wins inaugural SRX series championship", "Tony Stewart struck and killed 20-year-old who left his wrecked car to confront him, though the incident was not Stewart's fault and would have been avoided if Ward had not exited his car and approached Stewart's car", "Tony Stewart hits, kills walking driver on sprint-car track", "Autopsy: Kevin Ward, Jr. died of massive blunt trauma", "Team: Tony Stewart will not race; Regan Smith will sub", "Nascar Star Tony Stewart's Car Kills Driver During Confrontation on Racetrack", "No plans for criminal charges against NASCAR'S Tony Stewart: sheriff", "Stewart Accident Prompts Change in Nascar Rules", "Tony Stewart will not race this weekend in aftermath of Ward Jr. death", "Tony Stewart not charged in death of Kevin Ward, Jr", "Kevin Ward, Jr.'s family to 'pursue all remedies' in fatal incident", "Ward Family to Tony Stewart: "you decided to be a dick! Pruett was racing as Leah Pritchett while she was married to Gary Pritchett, a tuner for the current Top Fuel championship driver, Steve. He has been in the sports journalism field since 2002 and has covered numerous high-profile events, including 12 Heisman Trophy ceremonies. * Most laps led. Stewart appears in commercials as a member of the Coca-Cola Racing Family of drivers. Proudly powered by WordPress | Before the Richmond race, NASCAR granted Stewart a waiver from the rule saying that a driver must attempt every race to be eligible for the Chase.