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.

Tony Stewart, nicknamed "Smoke", is a semi-retired American professional stock car racing driver and former NASCAR team co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing. He is a four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, winning two as a driver, one as owner/driver in 2011, and one as an owner in 2014. He currently competes in the NHRA.

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, signaling his early success in racing.

1987: World Karting Association Championship

In 1987, Tony Stewart won a World Karting Association championship, demonstrating his skill in go-kart racing.

1991: Joins UMRA and USAC, Named USAC Rookie of the Year

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

1994: USAC National Midget Series Champion

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

1995: USAC Triple Crown Champion

In 1995, Tony Stewart became the first driver to claim all three United States Auto Club National championships in a single season, becoming a USAC Triple Crown Champion.

1997: First IRL Career Win

In 1997, Tony Stewart got his first career win at Pikes Peak, where he led all but seven laps of a 200 lap race and beat Davey Hamilton for the IRL title.

2000: Six Wins in NASCAR Winston Cup Series

In 2000, Tony Stewart won a series-high six races (Martinsville, New Hampshire, Michigan, Homestead, and both Dover races) in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series, finishing 6th in the standings.

2001: Inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Tony Stewart was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 2001.

2002: NASCAR Cup Series Championship

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

2002: Winston Cup Championship win amid Controversy

In 2002, Tony Stewart's Daytona 500 ended early due to a blown engine, but he later won at Atlanta and Richmond. At Darlington, a crash sent him to the hospital, but he started the next race. An altercation with a photographer after the Brickyard 400 led to a fine and point deduction. Despite this, he won at Watkins Glen amidst controversy and ultimately claimed his first Winston Cup championship at the end of the 2002 season.

November 20, 2005: Second Cup Championship

On November 20, 2005, Tony Stewart secured his second Cup Championship, becoming one of the few active drivers with multiple championships at the time. He expressed greater satisfaction with his 2005 win compared to his 2002 win due to better behavior. The 2005 season saw Stewart earn $13,578,168, including $6,173,633 for winning the championship, which was the largest season total in NASCAR history.

2005: Second Cup Title

2005 was one of Tony Stewart's most successful years in the Nextel Cup Series as 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.

July 15, 2007: Win at USG Sheetrock 400

On July 15, 2007, Tony Stewart led 108 laps and secured his 30th career NEXTEL Cup win at the USG Sheetrock 400 in Joliet.

July 29, 2007: Brickyard 400 Win and Interview Controversy

On July 29, 2007, Tony Stewart won the Brickyard 400, his second win at his favorite track. The win was controversial, as Stewart made the winning pass by accidentally bending Kevin Harvick's car. Stewart was also penalized 25 points and fined $25,000 for using obscene language during the victory lane interview.

August 12, 2007: Win at Watkins Glen

On August 12, 2007, Tony Stewart won the Centurion Boats at the Glen at Watkins Glen after Jeff Gordon spun his car. Carl Edwards briefly challenged Stewart on the final lap but spun out, securing Stewart's victory.

2007: IROC Championship and Chase Wins

In 2007, Tony Stewart participated in the 30th season of IROC, winning two of four races and capturing the series championship, earning a million dollars. He offered to return the prize money if IROC held an event at his Eldora Speedway, but the offer was not taken as IROC folded in 2007. Additionally, his three wins in the Chase races brought his season total to five, tying him for second-most in Nextel Cup.

2007: Chili Bowl Nationals and Daytona Speedweeks Wins

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

October 5, 2008: Stewart Wins AMP Energy 500 at Talladega

On October 5, 2008, Tony Stewart secured his first and only win of the season at the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega, marking his final victory with Joe Gibbs Racing after NASCAR declared that Regan Smith's pass was illegal.

June 7, 2009: Stewart Wins Pocono 500

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

October 5, 2009: Stewart Wins Price Chopper 400

On October 5, 2009, Tony Stewart won the Price Chopper 400, advancing to fourth place in the standings, but finished the season in sixth place overall.

September 5, 2010: Stewart Wins Emory Healthcare 500

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

October 10, 2010: Stewart Wins Pepsi Max 400

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

July 27, 2011: First World of Outlaws Win

On July 27, 2011, Tony Stewart won his first-ever World of Outlaws race at Ohsweken Speedway.

October 30, 2011: Stewart Wins Tums Fast Relief 500

On October 30, 2011, Tony Stewart won the Tums Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, moving into championship contention.

November 20, 2011: Stewart Wins 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, tying on total points with Carl Edwards but winning the tiebreaker due to having more race wins.

2011: NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Owner/Driver

In 2011, Tony Stewart achieved a significant milestone by winning the NASCAR Cup Series championship as an owner/driver.

March 25, 2012: Stewart Wins Rain-Shortened Auto Club 400

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

2013: Sole Sprint Cup Win

In 2013, at Dover, Tony Stewart recovered from an early setback to win his sole Sprint Cup race of the year after overtaking Juan Pablo Montoya in the final laps. The win propelled him into a Wildcard spot and extended his streak to 15 seasons with at least one race win.

February 15, 2014: Return to Sprint Car Racing and Win

On February 15, 2014, Tony Stewart returned to sprint car racing, driving the same car in which he broke his leg in 2013. He won a sprint car race at Tri-City Motor Speedway.

October 7, 2014: Three Career World of Outlaws Main Event Victories

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

2014: NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Owner

In 2014, Tony Stewart won the 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, finishing 19th, after missing the first eight races of the season due to a back injury.

May 22, 2019: Vote into NASCAR Hall of Fame

On May 22, 2019, Tony Stewart was voted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

January 31, 2020: Induction into NASCAR Hall of Fame

On January 31, 2020, Tony Stewart was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame alongside the 11th Hall of Fame class.

2021: SRX Series Championship

In 2021, Tony Stewart got a podium finish in the inaugural SRX Series race, swept the two dirt track races, and won the championship by 45 points over Ernie Francis Jr.