Career Timeline of Tony Stewart: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Tony Stewart made an impact.

Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart, known as "Smoke," is a prominent American auto racing driver and former co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing in NASCAR. A four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, he secured two titles as a driver and two as an owner, one of which he was the driver himself. Currently, Stewart competes in the NHRA Top Fuel class for Tony Stewart Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Kaulig Racing.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1966: James Hylton Finished Second

In 1966, James Hylton finished second, besting Tony Stewart's highest points finish by a rookie in the modern era set in 1999.

1979: First Go Kart

In 1979, Tony Stewart got his first competitive go kart in Westport, Indiana.

1980: First Championship

In 1980, Tony Stewart won his first championship.

1987: Breaking Rookie Records

In 1987, Davey Allison set the record for wins by a rookie, which Tony Stewart would later break in 1999.

1987: World Karting Association Championship

In 1987, Tony Stewart won a World Karting Association championship.

1991: Moved to UMRA TQ Midgets and USAC Series

In 1991, Tony Stewart moved up to the United Midget Racing Association (UMRA) and later to the United States Auto Club (USAC) series, becoming USAC Rookie of the Year.

1992: Alan Kulwicki Championship

Tony Stewart became the first driver/owner to win the championship since Alan Kulwicki in 1992 on November 20, 2011.

1994: USAC National Midget Series Champion

In 1994, Tony Stewart became the USAC National Midget Series Champion.

1995: USAC Triple Crown Winner

In 1995, Tony Stewart became the first driver to win USAC's version of the Triple Crown by earning championships in all three of USAC's major divisions: National Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown. Highlights of the year included winning the Hut Hundred and 4 Crown Nationals.

1995: USAC National Midget and Silver Crown Series Champion

In 1995, Tony Stewart was the USAC National Midget Series Champion and USAC Silver Crown Series champion.

1996: Part-Time NASCAR Busch Series Season

After competing part-time during the 1996 NASCAR Busch Series season with the team, Stewart planned to move up to the Winston Cup Series in 1997, but the deal fell through when Stewart decided he was not yet ready for the move.

1996: Indianapolis 500 Debut

In 1996, Tony Stewart made his Indianapolis 500 debut, starting from the pole position after Arie Luyendyk's disqualification and the death of teammate Scott Brayton. His race ended early due to a pop-off valve issue. That same year, Stewart also made his NASCAR Busch Series debut, with a best finish of 16th, and had a 10th place finish in a one-time Truck Series ride.

1996: Struggles to Finish IRL Races

In the 1996-97 IRL season, Tony Stewart struggled to finish, failing to complete the first three races, though he did manage a second-place finish at Phoenix.

1997: Winston Cup Series Deal Falls Through

In 1997, Stewart had planned to move up to the Winston Cup Series driving for Ranier-Walsh Racing; however the deal fell through when Stewart decided he was not yet ready for the move.

1997: First Career Win at Pikes Peak and IRL Title

In 1997, Tony Stewart secured his first career win at Pikes Peak, leading almost the entire race. He then beat Davey Hamilton for the IRL title despite an average end to the season and five DNFs.

1998: Ricky Rudd's win

In 1998 Ricky Rudd was the last driver/owner in the Cup series to win a race until Tony Stewart on June 7, 2009

1998: Joins Joe Gibbs Racing in Busch Series

In 1998, Tony Stewart began racing in the Busch Series for Joe Gibbs, alongside a full-time IRL schedule. He had top-ten finishes when he completed races, including a third-place at Charlotte. In the IRL, he won twice and finished third in the championship, but had a disappointing Indy 500 due to engine failure.

1998: USAC Midget Events and "Smoke" Nickname

In 1998, Tony Stewart continued racing in midget events, finishing thirteenth and eleventh in the USAC national points, and winning the Copper Classic both years. He had earned the nickname "Smoke" before then, due to slipping his right rear tire during dirt races and blowing his engine during his 1997 championship run.

1999: Attempted Racing 1,100 Miles on Memorial Day Weekend

In 1999, Tony Stewart attempted to race 1,100 miles on Memorial Day weekend, competing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, finishing ninth and fourth, respectively, ultimately completing 1,090 miles of the scheduled 1,100.

1999: Start of Joe Gibbs Racing Career

In 1999, Tony Stewart began driving the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing car with The Home Depot as the primary sponsor. He remained with the team until 2008.

1999: NASCAR Cup Career Start

In 1999, Tony Stewart started his NASCAR Cup career by qualifying on the outside pole for the Daytona 500, driving the No. 20 The Home Depot-sponsored Pontiac. He battled Dale Earnhardt for the lead in the Gatorade Twin 125s.

1999: Move to Cup Ride

In 1999, Tony Stewart was moved up to a Cup ride for the season, ending his three-year career as a full-time IRL driver.

2000: Winston Cup Series, Six Wins

In 2000, Tony Stewart showed no signs of a sophomore slump in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, winning six races.

2000: Six Race Wins and Bad Press

In 2000, Tony Stewart won a series-high of six races in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, but his on-track incidents, most notably with Jeff Gordon at Watkins Glen, led to some bad press. He also won the Turkey Night Grand Prix midget car event.

2001: Controversies and Probation

In 2001, Tony Stewart faced several controversies, including retaliating against Jeff Gordon at Bristol and confronting a Winston Cup official at Daytona after ignoring a black flag. He also had an incident with a reporter and refused to wear a head-and-neck restraint at Talladega, leading to fines, probation, and the "bad boy" reputation.

2001: Scary Start and Second Place Finish

In 2001, Tony Stewart had a scary start at the Daytona 500 when he was involved in an 18-car crash but recovered to win three more races. He finished second to Gordon in the final points standings.

2002: First Cup Championship win

In 2002, Stewart won his first Cup championship.

2002: First NASCAR Cup Series Championship

In 2002, Tony Stewart won his first NASCAR Cup Series championship as a driver.

2002: Winston Cup Championship Win Amidst Controversy

In 2002, Tony Stewart's Daytona 500 ended early due to a blown engine, but he won at Atlanta and Richmond. A wreck at Darlington sent him to the hospital, but he started the next race. An altercation with a photographer after the Brickyard 400 resulted in a fine and points deduction. Despite the controversy, he won at Watkins Glen, controversially, and ultimately won his first Winston Cup championship, driving a Pontiac.

2002: First Cup Series Championship with Joe Gibbs Racing

In 2002, Tony Stewart, while driving for Joe Gibbs, won his first Cup Series championship.

2002: Championship with Joe Gibbs Racing

Tony Stewart is the third-most successful driver for Joe Gibbs Racing with 33 wins and two championships (one in 2002).

2003: Seventh in Points Standings

In 2003, Tony Stewart had a relatively incident-free season and drove a Chevrolet after Joe Gibbs Racing changed manufacturers. He finished seventh in the points standings, won two races at Pocono and Charlotte, and led more laps than the previous year.

January 2004: Fourth in 24 Hours of Daytona

In January 2004, Tony Stewart, along with Andy Wallace and Dale Earnhardt Jr., finished fourth in the 24 Hours of Daytona sports car endurance race driving a Boss Motorsports Chevrolet. They dominated until the suspension cracked, and a wheel came off near the end.

November 2004: Eldora Speedway Ownership

In November 2004, Tony Stewart became the owner of Eldora Speedway, a half-mile dirt track in New Weston, Ohio, known as "Auto Racing's Showcase Since 1954." He began racing there in 1991 and continued to participate in special events.

2004: Altercation with Brian Vickers at Infineon

In 2004 at Infineon, Tony Stewart was spun out by Brian Vickers, leading to Stewart confronting Vickers and throwing a punch. As a result, Stewart was fined $50,000, lost 25 points, and was placed on probation for the remainder of 2004.

2004: Obscenity in a Post-Race Interview

In 2004, Dale Earnhardt Jr. used an obscenity in a post-race interview at Talladega and was knocked out of the points lead as a result of the penalty.

2004: Second Place Finish at the Gatorade 125

In 2004, Tony Stewart started the season by finishing second in the Gatorade 125. He dominated the Daytona 500, leading 98 laps, but ultimately lost the lead to Dale Earnhardt Jr. with twenty laps to go, securing his best finish in the Daytona 500.

October 2005: Last Pole Position Until 2010

Before his April 16, 2010 pole position at Texas Motor Speedway, Tony Stewart's previous pole position was in October 2005 at Martinsville Speedway.

November 20, 2005: Second Cup Championship

On November 20, 2005, Tony Stewart secured his second Cup Championship, joining Jeff Gordon as one of the few active drivers with multiple championships at that time. Stewart expressed that he valued the 2005 championship more than his 2002 win because the 2005 season was more well-behaved. He also earned $13,578,168 during the season, including $6,173,633 for winning the championship, which was the largest season total in NASCAR history.

2005: Second Nextel Cup Title

2005 was a very successful year for Tony Stewart. He won his second Cup title. He won five races at Infineon, Daytona, New Hampshire, Watkins Glen, and Indianapolis.

2005: Second Cup Series Championship with Joe Gibbs Racing

In 2005, Tony Stewart secured his second Cup Series championship while driving for Joe Gibbs.

2005: Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship

In 2005, Tony Stewart secured his second NASCAR Cup Series championship as a driver.

2005: Championship with Joe Gibbs Racing

Tony Stewart is the third-most successful driver for Joe Gibbs Racing with 33 wins and two championships (one in 2005).

2006: Denny Hamlin Finishes Third

In 2006, Denny Hamlin, Stewart's future teammate, finished third, coming close to breaking Stewart's highest points finish by a rookie in the modern era set in 1999.

2006: Ups and Downs of the Season

In 2006, Tony Stewart experienced a season of ups and downs, marked by competitive cars, early wins at Daytona and Martinsville, and a series of unfortunate events. He suffered a shoulder injury from crashes at Charlotte and was temporarily substituted by Ricky Rudd at Dover.

2006: Worst Cup Season

In 2006, Tony Stewart experienced his worst Cup season, finishing 11th in points. Despite early wins and competitive cars, he faced bad luck and suffered a shoulder injury from crashes at Charlotte. He missed the Chase for the Nextel Cup but won three races during the Chase.

2006: Missed Chase for the Nextel Cup

In 2006, Tony Stewart missed qualifying for the Chase for the Nextel Cup by sixteen points, making him the first defending champion to miss it the following year. He finished 11th in points, his worst season finish. He won three races during the Chase.

2006: Jimmie Johnson Won Championship

Jimmie Johnson wins championship from 2006 to 2010.

March 22, 2007: NASCAR 08 Cover

On March 22, 2007, Tony Stewart was announced as the cover athlete for the NASCAR 08 video game, published by Electronic Arts, marking his third time receiving this honor.

June 4, 2007: Altercation with Kurt Busch at Dover

On June 4, 2007, Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch had an altercation during the Autism Speaks 400 at Dover. Contact between the two sent Busch into the wall, leading to an enraged Busch giving Stewart a profane gesture on pit road. Busch was fined $100,000 by NASCAR.

July 15, 2007: USG Sheetrock 400 Win

On July 15, 2007, Tony Stewart led 108 laps and secured his thirtieth career NEXTEL Cup win at the USG Sheetrock 400 at Joliet.

July 29, 2007: Second Brickyard 400 Win

On July 29, 2007, Tony Stewart won the Brickyard 400 for the second time, making the winning pass by accidentally bending Kevin Harvick's car. He was later penalized 25 points and fined $25,000 for using obscene language during the victory lane interview.

August 12, 2007: Watkins Glen Win

On August 12, 2007, Tony Stewart won the Centurion Boats at the Glen at Watkins Glen after Jeff Gordon spun out. Carl Edwards challenged Stewart on the final lap but spun out.

2007: Early Season Successes

In 2007, Tony Stewart began the season by winning his second Chili Bowl Nationals midget car feature. He also won the Budweiser Shootout for the third time and his qualifying race for the Daytona 500.

2007: IROC Championship and Chase Wins

In 2007, Tony Stewart participated in the IROC series and won two races, securing the series championship and a million-dollar prize. He offered to return the prize money if IROC held an event at his Eldora Speedway, but the offer was not accepted before IROC folded. Additionally, Stewart had three wins in the Chase races, tying for the second-most in Nextel Cup.

2007: Chevrolet Sponsorship of Racing Cars

Since 2007, Tony Stewart's open-wheel short-track racing cars have been primarily sponsored by Chevrolet. He also owns and drives dirt super late models.

July 5, 2008: Coke Zero 400 at Daytona

On July 5, 2008, during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, Tony Stewart fell ill and handed his car over to J. J. Yeley, who finished in twentieth place after being involved in two wrecks near the end.

July 8, 2008: Release from Joe Gibbs Racing Contract

On July 8, 2008, Tony Stewart was released from his contract with Joe Gibbs Racing due to JGR's switch from Chevrolet to Toyota, while Stewart preferred Chevrolet. He then joined Haas CNC Racing, sponsored by Office Depot and Old Spice, and became a co-owner of the renamed Stewart–Haas Racing, becoming NASCAR's highest-paid driver.

July 2008: Co-owning partnership in Stewart–Haas Racing

In July 2008, Tony Stewart partnered with Gene Haas to co-own a racing organization known as Stewart–Haas Racing, departing from Joe Gibbs Racing in 2009. Ryan Newman also attended the meeting to formalize his agreement with SHR.

August 15, 2008: Ryan Newman Signs with Stewart–Haas Racing

On August 15, 2008, Ryan Newman, also from Indiana, signed a multi-year contract to drive the second car for Stewart–Haas Racing, with sponsorship from the U.S. Army.

October 5, 2008: AMP Energy 500 Win

On October 5, 2008, Tony Stewart won the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega, sponsored by Subway, marking his final victory with Joe Gibbs Racing. He was initially passed by Regan Smith, but NASCAR penalized Smith for an illegal pass, awarding Stewart the win.

2008: Coca-Cola 600

During the 2008 Coca-Cola 600, with three laps remaining, Tony Stewart experienced a tire issue but managed to prevent contact with the wall. This forced Stewart to relinquish the lead to Kasey Kahne for necessary pit stops.

2008: Daytona 500 and Toyota Switch

In 2008, Joe Gibbs Racing switched to Toyota, and Tony Stewart started the Daytona 500 in sixth place, finishing third after being passed by Ryan Newman and Kurt Busch on the last lap. The finish was similar to the previous year, where Kevin Harvick won.

2008: End of Joe Gibbs Racing Career

In 2008, Tony Stewart ended his time driving the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing car with The Home Depot as the primary sponsor, a partnership which began in 1999.

2008: Earnhardt's last win

In 2012, Tony Stewart taunted the Earnhardt nation for celebrating the fourth anniversary of Earnhardt's last win in 2008.

June 7, 2009: Pocono 500 Win

On June 7, 2009, Tony Stewart achieved his first points race win as a driver/owner at Pocono in the Pocono 500, making him the first owner-driver in the Cup series to win a race since Ricky Rudd in 1998.

October 5, 2009: Price Chopper 400 Win

On October 5, 2009, Tony Stewart secured a win at the Price Chopper 400, improving his standing to fourth place and ultimately finishing the season in sixth.

2009: Stewart Leaves Joe Gibbs Racing

In 2009, as part of a deal made in July 2008, Tony Stewart officially left Joe Gibbs Racing to join Stewart-Haas Racing as a co-owner.

2009: Fence Climbing and Home Depot Sponsorship

In 2009, following his Pepsi 400 win, Tony Stewart began climbing the fence, inspired by Hélio Castroneves. After winning the All-Star race, he joked about being too fat to climb fences and bought exercise equipment. The Home Depot, a sponsor, launched promotions with discounts on ladders, fencing, and bricks, inspired by Stewart's Eldora Speedway and victories.

April 16, 2010: Sprint Cup Pole Position at Texas Motor Speedway

On April 16, 2010, Tony Stewart achieved his first Sprint Cup pole position in five years at Texas Motor Speedway, marking his 400th Sprint Cup race and his first pole position since October 2005.

May 9, 2010: Loss of Old Spice Sponsorship

On May 9, 2010, it was announced that Tony Stewart would lose Old Spice as a sponsor after an eleven-year partnership.

September 5, 2010: Emory Healthcare 500 Win

On September 5, 2010, Tony Stewart won the Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

October 10, 2010: Pepsi Max 400 Win

On October 10, 2010, Tony Stewart secured another victory at the Pepsi Max 400 at Auto Club Speedway.

October 12, 2010: Mobil 1 Sponsorship Deal

On October 12, 2010, Mobil 1 announced a sponsorship deal with Stewart–Haas Racing to sponsor Tony Stewart's car starting in 2011, for eleven races, with Office Depot sponsoring the remaining races.

2010: Jimmie Johnson Won Championship

Jimmie Johnson wins championship from 2006 to 2010.

June 2011: Incident with Brian Vickers

In June 2011, at Infineon Raceway, Tony Stewart intentionally crashed Brian Vickers, leading to Vickers retaliating and wrecking Stewart in return. Stewart admitted it was payback for Vickers blocking him.

October 30, 2011: Tums Fast Relief 500 Win

On October 30, 2011, Tony Stewart won the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, positioning himself as a championship contender in second place in the points standings.

November 20, 2011: NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship

On November 20, 2011, Tony Stewart won the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship by winning the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. He tied in total points with Carl Edwards but won the tiebreaker due to having five race wins during the Chase.

2011: Third NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Owner/Driver

In 2011, Tony Stewart achieved his third NASCAR Cup Series championship, this time as an owner/driver.

2011: First Owner-Driver to Win Cup Series Since Alan Kulwicki

In 2011, Tony Stewart became the first owner-driver since Alan Kulwicki to win the Cup Series championship.

2011: Mobil 1 Sponsorship Begins

In 2011, as announced on October 12, 2010, Mobil 1 began its sponsorship of Tony Stewart's car for eleven races, with Office Depot sponsoring the remaining races.

February 11, 2012: Budweiser Shootout

On February 11, 2012, Tony Stewart led the final stages of the Budweiser Shootout but was passed by Kyle Busch in a close finish. He won the first duel of the Gatorade Duels after Danica Patrick's crash.

March 25, 2012: Auto Club 400 Win

On March 25, 2012, Tony Stewart won the rain-shortened Auto Club 400 at Auto Club Speedway.

June 3, 2012: Thirteen-Car Crash at Dover

On June 3, 2012, Tony Stewart was involved in a thirteen-car crash at Dover and finished the race in 25th place.

October 2, 2012: Bass Pro Shops Sponsorship Announcement

On October 2, 2012, Bass Pro Shops announced they would co-sponsor Tony Stewart for selected races in the 2013 season.

2012: Irwin Tools Night Race Incident

During the 2012 Irwin Tools Night Race at Bristol, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth collided while battling for the lead, resulting in a caution. Stewart angrily threw his helmet at Kenseth's car after the crash.

2012: Controversy after Quicken Loans 400

In 2012, after finishing second in the Quicken Loans 400, Tony Stewart sparked controversy by downplaying Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s win and taunting Earnhardt's fans for celebrating the anniversary of his last win.

August 11, 2013: Max Papis to fill in for Watkins Glen Race

On August 11, 2013, due to Tony Stewart's leg injury, it was announced that road racing veteran Max Papis would replace him for the race at Watkins Glen International. Stewart was also released from the hospital on this day.

August 19, 2013: Stewart Out for Remainder of 2013 Season

On August 19, 2013, it was announced that Tony Stewart would miss the remainder of the Sprint Cup season due to his leg injury. Mark Martin was signed to drive Stewart's car for most of the remaining races, with Austin Dillon driving at Talladega.

2013: Daytona Win Overshadowed by Crash

In 2013, Tony Stewart won the Nationwide Series event at Daytona. However, the win was overshadowed by a crash involving Kyle Larson that injured 28 spectators. The next day at the Daytona 500, Stewart's race ended early due to a crash.

2013: Sole Sprint Cup win of 2013

In 2013, at Dover, Tony Stewart went a lap down early but managed to get back on the lead lap. After Jimmie Johnson was penalized, Stewart overtook Juan Pablo Montoya to secure his only Sprint Cup win of 2013, propelling him to 16th place and a Wildcard spot, marking fifteen straight seasons with a win.

February 15, 2014: Return to Sprint Car Racing

On February 15, 2014, Tony Stewart made his return to sprint car racing, driving the same No. 14 sprint car in which he broke his leg in 2013. He stated his love for sprint car racing as his reason for returning.

August 17, 2014: Jeff Burton Replaces Stewart

On August 17, 2014, Jeff Burton replaced Tony Stewart for the race at Michigan, and the following race at Bristol, after Stewart was involved in an incident that caused the death of Kevin Ward Jr.

October 7, 2014: Three World of Outlaws Victories

As of October 7, 2014, Tony Stewart had accumulated three career World of Outlaws main event victories.

2014: Worst Statistical Year and Owner's Championship

In 2014, Tony Stewart had his worst year statistically as a driver, ending his fifteen-year winning streak with a last-place finish at Homestead-Miami. However, he won the Owner's Championship with Kevin Harvick.

2014: Fourth NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Owner

In 2014, Tony Stewart won his fourth NASCAR Cup Series championship, as a team owner.

2014: Kevin Harvick Joins Stewart's Team

On November 9, at the Talladega race it was announced that Kevin Harvick would be joining Stewart's team starting in 2014.

September 27, 2015: Retirement Plans Reported

On September 27, 2015, it was reported that Tony Stewart announced his plans to retire from racing after the 2016 season.

September 30, 2015: Retirement Announcement and Replacement

On September 30, 2015, Tony Stewart formally announced his retirement from racing after the 2016 season and confirmed that Clint Bowyer would replace him in the No. 14 car in 2017.

2015: Crash at the 2015 CampingWorld.com 500

During the 2015 CampingWorld.com 500, Tony Stewart qualified seventeenth and crashed on lap 288, bringing out a caution. His teammate Kevin Harvick eventually won the race.

2015: Winless Season and Chase Miss

In 2015, Tony Stewart failed to score a win for the second consecutive year and missed the Chase. He did not finish higher than 6th place, marking the first time in his career that he had so few top-ten finishes.

2015: Kyle Busch Championship

Kyle Busch has 59 wins and two championships (one in 2015) behind Tony Stewart for Joe Gibbs Racing.

April 24, 2016: Return to Racing at Richmond

On April 24, 2016, Tony Stewart returned to racing at the Toyota Owners 400 in Richmond after recovering from a back injury, finishing in nineteenth place.

2016: Last Full-Time Season in NASCAR Sprint Cup Series

In 2016, Tony Stewart last competed full-time in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, driving the No. 14 Chevrolet SS for Stewart-Haas Racing.

2016: Final Season and Retirement

In 2016, Tony Stewart's final season, he wrecked Ryan Newman at Richmond, causing controversy. He was eliminated from the Chase and finished his career with a 22nd-place finish at the Ford EcoBoost 400.

2019: Kyle Busch Championship

Kyle Busch has 59 wins and two championships (one in 2019) behind Tony Stewart for Joe Gibbs Racing.

2024: Replaced Leah Pruett in Top Fuel

In 2024, Tony Stewart replaced Leah Pruett in Top Fuel racing as Pruett stepped aside to start a family with Stewart.

2025: Shane van Gisbergen Breaks Stewart's Rookie Record

In 2025, Shane van Gisbergen won five times, breaking Tony Stewart's record for wins by a rookie that was set in 1999.

January 13, 2026: Return to Truck Series at Daytona

On January 13, 2026, Kaulig Racing announced that Tony Stewart would be driving the No. 25 Ram 1500 in the Truck Series race at Daytona, marking his return to the series since 2005.