SPECIAL EVENT (INDIANAPOLIS, IN.) - STEWART THRILLED BY RING PRESENTATION, HONORS AT STATEHOUSE

Tony Stewart, one of Indiana’s most accomplished and popular sports figures in history, enjoyed the spotlight at the Indiana General Assembly and collected his second Allstate 400 at the Brickyard champion’s ring Feb. 4.

Members of the Indiana House of Representatives and Indiana Senate honored Stewart in a joint resolution for his many accomplishments on track – including Allstate 400 at the Brickyard victories at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, in 2005 and 2007, and two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships, in 2002 and 2005 – and his numerous charitable acts off track.

IMS Chief Executive Officer Tony George presented Stewart with his champion’s ring for his 2007 victory on the floor of the Indiana House of Representatives in Indianapolis.

“Getting the ring from the Brickyard, it was the highlight of the day, for sure,” Stewart said.

Stewart, who was born in Columbus, Ind., and also spent part of his youth in nearby Rushville, moved to the Charlotte, N.C., area for several years to pursue his NASCAR career but has since moved back to Columbus, calling it home when not pursuing his busy racing schedule.

Members of the Indiana House of Representatives gave Stewart a rousing ovation upon his introduction by State Representative Milo Smith of Columbus.

“That was pretty cool,” Stewart said. “Politics is definitely not my angle normally, but to see everybody so excited to see us here today … There’s always something special when you come home and when you’re around people in a state you grew up in, and when the people in that community are excited to have you back, it’s something that makes you proud.”

Stewart said he was more nervous about being at the podium in front of the House of Representatives than he will be before the start of the Daytona 500, the season-opening Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 17.

He will attempt to become the first driver to win consecutive Allstate 400 at the Brickyard events, on Sunday, July 27 at the legendary 2.5-mile IMS oval.

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2008 IMS tickets: Tickets for all three world-class events in 2008 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway – the 92nd Indianapolis 500, 15th Allstate 400 at the Brickyard and inaugural Red Bull Indianapolis GP – are on sale.

Fans have three easy methods to buy tickets: Online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com at any time; on the phone by calling (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or (317) 492-6700 locally between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday; or visiting the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Ticket Office on the first floor of the IMS Administration Building at 4790 W. 16th St. in Indianapolis from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday.