Tony Stewart
Tony Stewart is a top NASCAR driver who has had numerous racing championship victories over the course of his auto racing career. Stewart has competed in sprint cars, stock cars and Indy cars. A fine racer and caring individual, Tony Stewart is known by fans as “Smoke”, “Tony the Tiger”, “The Columbus Comet” and “The Rushville Rocket”.
Anthony Wayne Stewart, better known as Tony Stewart, was born in Columbus, Indiana on 20 May 1971. As a youngster, Stewart was an avid racer, and at 7 years of age he began go-kart racing and accomplished much. In 1987 Tony Stewart won the World Karting Championship. He competed in three-quarter midgets, but advanced to the USAC (United States Auto Club) series in 1991. 1995 saw Stewart winning the Triple Crown which included winning the titles of National Midget, Silver Crown and Sprint. He was the first driver to do so. He participated in the IRL for 2 years and was named Rookie of the Year in 1996.
Finally in 1999 Tony Stewart entered the world of NASCAR with Joe Gibbs Racing, soon proving his talent in the driver’s seat. At his first race, the Daytona 500, he managed to qualify in second place. His entire rookie season was masterful, with 3 victories and 2 second-place finishes. All through his NASCAR career, Stewart has participated in Midget racing when possible. In 2001 he became an inductee of the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame.
Tony Stewart is keen to race any machine, at any place and anytime, and having won several championships in IRL, NASCAR, USAC and go-karts, Tony Stewart is a power to be reckoned with.
Tony Stewart is not only a top race car driver, but also a humanitarian of sorts. He has established the Tony Stewart Foundation which, by means of fundraising projects and community involvement, contributes to charitable organizations. Over and above racing and charity work, Stewart hosted a radio show called Tony Stewart Live between 2007 and 2008.