The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

NASCAR WCUP: Stewart ready for the challenges of Darlington

1 September 1999

DARLINGTON: After winning his second NASCAR Winston Cup pole and earning the 15th top-10 finish of his rookie season, Home Depot driver Tony Stewart heads to the "track too tough to tame" for the 50th running of the Pepsi Southern 500. In his inaugural Darlington race in March, Stewart started 10th and finished a solid sixth.

Based on his fourth-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 in May, Stewart and one lucky fan are eligible for the $1 million Winston "No Bull 5" bonus this holiday weekend.

Stewart returns to Darlington with two poles, seven top-5, 15 top-10 and 10 top-15 finishes to his credit.

Tony Stewart, Driver -- (Fifth in standings with 3,196 points) On Racing at Darlington: "We're approaching Darlington just like we would any other race and we're trying not to get caught up in all of the hoopla surrounding our first shot at the "No Bull 5" million dollars."

"The Home Depot team did a good job at Darlington in the spring. I think we even surprised ourselves a little about how well we ran. Darlington is a tough race track - even the veterans in this sport have been known to leave with a Darlington stripe."

"I'm very honored to be one of the "No Bull 5" drivers, but we want to make sure we stay totally focused on our goals - qualifying well, racing well, finishing every lap and scoring a solid finish. It will be even better if we win because it would be our first win for Home Depot and Joe Gibbs Racing. The money would be a great bonus!"

On Last Week's Run in Bristol: "Bristol is always exciting. I'm sure the fans got as big a rush watching the race from the stands. I know I did from the track.

You never know what's going to happen during the 500 laps at Bristol. The Home Depot Pontiac was great all night and we thought we had our best shot yet at a win. I was pretty upset after the race but as they say, 'that's racing'."

Editors Note: For hundreds of hot racing photos and racing art, be sure to visit The Racing ImageGalleries and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.