Tony Stewart's Success and Achievements in Timeline

A closer look at the biggest achievements of Tony Stewart. Awards, milestones, and records that define success.

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

1980: First Championship

In 1980, Tony Stewart won his first championship.

1987: World Karting Association Championship

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 NASCAR Cup Series Championship

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

2006: Jimmie Johnson Won Championship

Jimmie Johnson wins championship from 2006 to 2010.

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.

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.

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.

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.

2010: Jimmie Johnson Won Championship

Jimmie Johnson wins championship from 2006 to 2010.

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.

March 25, 2012: Auto Club 400 Win

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

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.

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.

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.