Challenges in the Life of Tony Stewart in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Tony Stewart faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Tony Stewart, nicknamed "Smoke", is a semi-retired American professional auto racing driver and former NASCAR team co-owner. He achieved significant success in NASCAR, securing four Cup Series championships. Two wins as a driver and another as a driver/owner, plus a further owner's title demonstrate Stewart's impact on the sport as both a competitor and a team owner. Currently, he competes in the NHRA Top Fuel class, showcasing his continued passion for auto racing.

Sections (6)

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

1996: Struggles to Finish IRL Races

During the 1996-97 IRL season, Tony Stewart struggled to finish races, failing to complete the first three events on the schedule. He came in second at Phoenix.

1997: Planned Move to Winston Cup Series Falls Through

In 1997, Tony Stewart had planned to move up to the Winston Cup Series but the deal fell through when Stewart decided he was not yet ready for the move.

2000: Statistically Worse Season

In 2001, statistically Tony Stewart had a worse season than 2000, but he finished 2nd to Gordon in the final points standings.

2000: Six Wins and On-Track Incidents

In the 2000 NASCAR Winston Cup Series, Tony Stewart won six races but finished 6th in the standings due to DNFs and increased competition. He also had an incident with Jeff Gordon at Watkins Glen.

2001: Involved in 18-Car Crash at Daytona 500

During the 2001 Daytona 500, Tony Stewart was involved in an 18-car crash and was transported to Halifax Medical Center. He recovered to win three more races and finished 2nd in the points standings.

2001: Controversies, Fines, and Probation

In 2001, Tony Stewart faced several controversies, including retaliating against Jeff Gordon at Bristol and confronting a Winston Cup official at Daytona for ignoring a black flag. He also had an incident with a Winston-Salem Journal reporter and confronted an official at Talladega for refusing to wear a head-and-neck restraint. These incidents led to fines, probation, and a reputation as NASCAR's "bad boy."

2002: Winston Cup Championship and Controversies

In 2002, Tony Stewart's Daytona 500 ended early due to a blown engine. He won at Atlanta and Richmond but was involved in a wreck at Darlington, leading to a hospital visit. An altercation with a photographer after the Brickyard 400 resulted in a fine and point deduction. Despite controversies, he won at Watkins Glen and claimed his first Winston Cup championship at the end of the 2002 season.

2004: Altercation with Brian Vickers at Infineon

In 2004 at Infineon, Tony Stewart was spun out by Brian Vickers, leading to a confrontation. Stewart retaliated by throwing a punch through Vickers' window after the race. This resulted in a $50,000 fine, a 25-point deduction, and probation for the rest of 2004.

August 16, 2005: Fined for Hitting Brian Vickers

On August 16, 2005, Tony Stewart was fined $5,000 and placed on probation for hitting Brian Vickers after the Busch Series Zippo 200 at Watkins Glen.

2006: Worst Cup Season and Chase Miss

In 2006, Tony Stewart experienced his worst Cup season up to that point, finishing 11th in points and missing the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Despite this, he won three races in the 2006 Chase.

2006: Missed Cut for the Chase for the Nextel Cup

In 2006, Tony Stewart missed the cut to qualify for the Chase for the Nextel Cup by 16 points. He finished poorly at Richmond, being displaced in the top ten by Kasey Kahne. He finished the 2006 season 11th in points, but won three races in the Chase later in the year.

2006: Competitive Cars and Shoulder Injury

In 2006, Tony Stewart's season was marked by both highs and lows. He had competitive cars and secured early wins at Daytona and Martinsville. However, he also faced bad luck and suffered a shoulder injury during the Memorial Day Weekend races at Charlotte. He was later substituted by Ricky Rudd during the Dover race and had to drive in pain for several weeks during the 2006 season.

July 5, 2008: Stewart's Illness during Coke Zero 400

On July 5, 2008, during the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, Tony Stewart felt unwell and handed his car over to former Joe Gibbs Racing teammate J. J. Yeley. Yeley finished the race in 20th place after being involved in two wrecks in the last 5 laps.

2008: Tire Issue at Coca-Cola 600

During the 2008 Coca-Cola 600, with only three laps remaining, Tony Stewart experienced a tire issue but managed to prevent a collision with the wall. Due to this, Stewart had to relinquish his lead to Kasey Kahne for a pit stop.

May 9, 2010: Old Spice Ends Sponsorship with Stewart

On May 9, 2010, reports surfaced that Old Spice would discontinue its sponsorship of Tony Stewart after an 11-year partnership.

June 3, 2012: Stewart involved in 13-car crash at Dover

On June 3, 2012, Tony Stewart was involved in a 13-car crash on the back leg at Dover, finishing the race in 25th place.

August 5, 2013: Sprint Car Crash at Southern Iowa Speedway

On August 5, 2013, while leading a sprint car race at Southern Iowa Speedway, Tony Stewart was involved in a multi-car crash that resulted in him breaking both the tibia and fibula bones in his lower right leg and requiring surgery.

August 8, 2013: Second Surgery on Broken Leg

On August 8, 2013, Tony Stewart underwent a second surgery, during which a metal rod was inserted into his tibia to stabilize the broken bone, following his sprint car crash.

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

On August 19, 2013, Tony Stewart was ruled out for the remainder of the season due to the leg injury he sustained, and Mark Martin was signed to drive Stewart's car for the remaining races.

2013: Nationwide Series Win at Daytona and Daytona 500 Crash

In 2013, Tony Stewart won the Nationwide Series event at Daytona, but his win was overshadowed by a crash involving Kyle Larson and injuring spectators. He also crashed early in the Daytona 500, finishing 41st.

2013: Leg Injury Impact

In 2014, Tony Stewart dismissed claims that his poor showing was related to his 2013 leg injury, attributing it instead to the new rules package.

August 9, 2014: Death of Kevin Ward Jr.

On August 9, 2014, at Canandaigua Motorsports Park, Tony Stewart's car struck Kevin Ward Jr. during a sprint car race under caution, resulting in Ward's death due to "massive blunt trauma".

2014: Worst Statistical Year as a Driver

In 2014, Tony Stewart had his worst statistical year as a driver, ending his 15-year winning streak with a last-place finish at Homestead-Miami; however, he won the Owner's Championship with Kevin Harvick.

2015: Crash at the CampingWorld.com 500

During the 2015 CampingWorld.com 500, Tony Stewart, after qualifying 17th, crashed on lap 288, resulting in a caution, while his teammate Kevin Harvick went on to win the race.

2015: Difficult 2015 Season

In 2015, Tony Stewart faced a challenging season, failing to secure a win for the second consecutive year and missing the Chase, despite qualifying well in several races. He only scored 3 top-10 finishes.

January 31, 2016: Back Injury While Dune Buggy Riding

On January 31, 2016, Tony Stewart injured his back while riding a dune buggy outside of San Diego with Greg Biffle, leading to a burst fracture in his lumbar vertebra.