Ask anyone who’s followed his career, and they’ll tell you, that when the weather heats up, so does Tony Stewart’s game. His lone win of 2008 came in the October Talladega race, his 2007 victories came during second half stretch, and 3 of his 5 victories came after July 1st in 2006.
What does say to fans and opponents that Smoke is starting to heat up in April? It may very well suggest that the likes of Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon and Kurt Busch have another force to reckon with.
I don’t care who you are, Stewart’s early season performance has greatly exceeded expectations. Perhaps only Stewart’s organization and his most ardent fans expected him to be this strong this early in his first season with his new venture- Stewart- Haas Racing. Yes- Tony Stewart is a winner- but wasn’t there supposed to be a learning curve associated with his new role as a team owner? Wasn’t there supposed to be adjustment phase as he stared working with new crew chief Darian Grubb, after a long and successful run with Greg Zipadelli?
Let’s just come right out and say it, Tony Stewart flat out surprised a lot us. I’ll admit it. I figured he might get a win or two, but I wasn’t convinced he’d be a top 5 driver THIS season.
I’m a believer now, and here are 4 reasons to believe:
#1- He’s got the people. The adjustment to Darian Grubb has gone quite nicely, thank
you very much. If it wasn’t obvious before, it’s obvious now that Grubb’s years in the Hendrick organization were well spent. He knows his cars and he’s making good calls. Furthermore, Stewart has quality people in the organization that are allowing him to be “Tony the driver” and less “Mr. Stewart the owner.”
#2- He’s got the equipment. The Hendrick alliance for Stewart- Haas Racing is HUGE. Stewart may not be the only driver dabbling in ownership, but none has the advantages Stewart has gained from this association. Between these first two items, Stewart has gained advantages starting out that the average new driver/ owner doesn’t get. Not that he hasn’t earned them by having proven himself.
#3- He’s got the experience. Stewart has handled well the duties of ownership of a race track, a USAC team and a World of Outlaws team.
#4- He’s Tony Stewart. He’s got 33 NASCAR Cup victories to his credit, two championships and respect throughout the sport. The success commands a sense of confidence and trust. In a time where teams have really struggled to find sponsors, Smoke’s organization has landed deals with big players such as Office Depot and Old Spice for his car, plus SHR was able to land the U.S. Army deal for Ryan Newman’s car.
The road to glory will have pot holes that could derail him. He’s generally managed to avoid the run of bad luck that plagued Mark Martin at the outset of the season. Sooner or later, an engine will blow or there will be some mechanical issue to that will trip Tony up. The competition will be as stiff as ever with numerous bona fide contenders ready to pounce upon said run of bad luck. Then there’s the realm of the unknown challenges that may confront Tony Stewart in his role as an owner that he’s never had to deal with before that may hinder his focus.
All those things can happen to anybody and it some time any one or more of those maladies will visit Tony Stewart. The key will be continuing to capitalize on the success while it continues, and finding ways to bounce back quickly and not get mired in a mid-season malaise.
The cool thing for Tony Stewart is he’s put himself in a position of strength by what he’s accomplished so far. Many think he’s a favorite to repeat at Talladega. There’s no reason why he can’t. He’s got the horses and plenty of willing draft partners. If not here, there are other venues on the horizon that play to Stewart’s strengths.
By every measurable result, Tony Stewart seems to have come out of hibernation early this year.
If I were the competition, I’d be concerned. Very concerned.
Photo credits- Photos by stewarthaasfan. To see more click on the hyperlink or visit flickr.com.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I’ve got to say that while I was concerned about Tony’s adjustment, I’m not surprised at all. And while the support from Hendrick is huge, there is a reason that Hendrick is willing to give Tony so much support…they know what he can do. Great people attract great people…that is why Tony was able to attract the great people he has to the organization. Hendrick could have thrown their support to any of the other owner-drivers, but is giving that support to Tony.
Not to take anything away from Tony, but if he were win a championship for his team. It would still be poles apart from Alan’s Championship. For Tony to win, even with all his resourses would be awesome.
What Alan, & Paul managed to pull off with the Underbird, defies description. This was a feat that will never be equalled in today’s NA$CAR.
I admire what Tony has done. He appears to understand that it’s key to surround himself with the right people. SHR seemed to have pieces missing and lack of confidence last year. Those things appear to be fixed.
But it isn’t like most any other driver/owner scenario. Gene Haas has wanted to be a factor in Nascar for a very long time. He ‘gave’ Tony 50% of the company. Gene Haas is one of the wealthiest people in the country. Haas has supplied machine tools to Hendrick for well over a decade. Haas built a $ 40 million wind tunnel prior to Tony. Gene Haas is opening Haas Outlet’s in countries all over the world. In 2007, Gene Haas was estimated to be worth $ 2 billion. Tony is possibly the only person that could connect the pieces in a way that no one else could.
But it isn’t like being an owner/driver where you have to be a jack of all trades or worry about payroll or anything like that. Tony hasn’t been roughing it and sleeping in a truck. There is a difference because the past owner/drivers that didn’t have the pleasure of not having to worry about the bills, etc. Tony is lucky to have a huge benefector that loves Nascar and wants to be a major player. It was a perfect situation for Stewart and Haas.