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 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

1980: First Championship

In 1980, Tony Stewart won his first championship, demonstrating his early talent in racing.

1987: World Karting Association Championship

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

1994: USAC National Midget Series Champion

In 1994, Tony Stewart was crowned USAC National Midget Series Champion, marking a significant achievement in his career.

1995: USAC Triple Crown Winner

In 1995, Tony Stewart became the first driver to win USAC's version of the Triple Crown, earning championships in National Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown divisions.

1995: USAC National Midget and Silver Crown Series Champion

In 1995, Tony Stewart won the USAC National Midget Series Champion, and USAC Silver Crown Series champion, continuing his successful trajectory in racing.

1997: First IRL Career Win at Pikes Peak and Series Championship

In 1997, Tony Stewart secured his first career win at Pikes Peak, leading almost the entire race. He won the IRL title, beating Davey Hamilton.

1998: USAC Finishes and Copper Classic Wins

In 1997 and 1998, Tony Stewart finished thirteenth and eleventh in the USAC national points, and won the Copper Classic both years. During this period he earned the nickname "Smoke".

2001: Induction into National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame

In 2001, Tony Stewart was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame, recognizing his successful career in USAC.

2002: NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Driver

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

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.

2002: Won Cup Series Championship

In 2002, while driving for Joe Gibbs, Tony Stewart secured one of his Cup Series championships.

2002: First Cup Championship Comparison

In victory circle on November 20, 2005, Tony Stewart said that he loved winning his 2005 championship better than his 2002 one because his 2005 season was more well-behaved than 2002.

2004: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s Obscenity Fine

On July 29, 2007, Tony Stewart won the Brickyard 400 for the second time. During the victory lane interview, Stewart was penalized 25 points and fined $25,000 for violating NASCAR's policy on the use of obscene language during interviews during the July 29, 2007 race. This was similar to 2004 when Dale Earnhardt Jr. used an obscenity in a post-race interview at Talladega.

November 20, 2005: Second Cup Championship Win

On November 20, 2005, Tony Stewart secured his second Cup Championship. He noted that he valued the 2005 championship more than his 2002 win due to better behavior during the 2005 season. During the 2005 season, Stewart earned a total of $13,578,168, including $6,173,633 for winning the championship.

2005: Second Cup Title and Race Wins

In 2005, Tony Stewart had one of his most successful years, winning his second Cup title. He secured five race wins at Infineon, Daytona, New Hampshire, Watkins Glen, and Indianapolis. This strong performance earned him the No. 1 seed heading into NASCAR's Chase for the Nextel Cup 10-race playoff during the 2005 season.

2005: Second NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Driver

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

2005: Won Cup Series Championship

In 2005, while driving for Joe Gibbs, Tony Stewart secured one of his Cup Series championships.

2006: Jimmie Johnson's Championships

On November 20, 2005, Stewart won his second Cup Championship, joining Jeff Gordon as the only active, full-time drivers at the time to have won multiple championships. Jimmie Johnson afterward did so from 2006 to 2010.

July 15, 2007: Win at USG Sheetrock 400 at Joliet

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

July 29, 2007: Second Brickyard 400 Win and Obscenity Fine

On July 29, 2007, Tony Stewart won the Brickyard 400 for the second time. During the race, Stewart made the winning pass by accidentally bending the rear of Kevin Harvick's car. In the victory lane interview, Stewart was penalized 25 points and fined $25,000 for violating NASCAR's policy on the use of obscene language during interviews during the July 29, 2007 race.

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 with two laps to go. Carl Edwards challenged Stewart on the final lap but spun out, sealing Stewart's win.

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

On October 5, 2008, Tony Stewart, driving for Subway, secured his first and only win of the season at the AMP Energy 500 at Talladega. This marked his final victory with Joe Gibbs Racing. Although Regan Smith initially crossed the finish line first, NASCAR penalized Smith for an illegal pass, awarding the win to Stewart.

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, marking the first owner-driver victory in the Cup series since Ricky Rudd in 1998. Stewart also won the Coke Zero 400 at Daytona after a controversial finish by wrecking Kyle Busch.

October 5, 2009: Stewart wins Price Chopper 400

On October 5, 2009, Tony Stewart secured a victory at the Price Chopper 400, subsequently advancing to fourth place in the standings. He concluded the season in sixth position overall.

April 16, 2010: Stewart Wins 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, with a lap speed of 191.327 mph. This race marked Stewart's 400th in the Sprint Cup and his first pole start since October 2005 at Martinsville Speedway.

September 5, 2010: Stewart Wins Emory Healthcare 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

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

October 10, 2010: Stewart Wins Pepsi Max 400 at Auto Club Speedway

On October 10, 2010, Tony Stewart secured a win at the Pepsi Max 400 held at Auto Club Speedway.

2010: Jimmie Johnson's Championships

July 27, 2011: First World of Outlaws Win

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

October 30, 2011: Stewart Wins Tums Fast Relief 500

On October 30, 2011, at Martinsville Speedway, Tony Stewart secured victory in the Tums Fast Relief 500, leading three times for 14 laps. This win propelled him into championship contention, placing him second in the points standings.

November 20, 2011: Stewart Wins NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship

On November 20, 2011, Tony Stewart clinched the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship by winning the final race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, with Carl Edwards finishing second. Stewart and Edwards tied on total points, but Stewart won the tiebreaker with five race wins during the Chase. He became the first driver/owner to win the championship since Alan Kulwicki in 1992.

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

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

2011: NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Owner/Driver

In 2011, Tony Stewart won the NASCAR Cup Series championship as an owner and 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 of 2013

In 2013, at Dover, Tony Stewart secured his sole Sprint Cup win of the year after overtaking Juan Pablo Montoya in the last laps. This victory propelled him to 16th position, earning him a Wildcard spot and marking his 15th consecutive season with at least one race 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 car in which he broke his leg in 2013, and silenced critics with a dominant win at Tri-City Motor Speedway.

2014: NASCAR Cup Series Championship as Owner

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

May 22, 2019: Voted into NASCAR Hall of Fame

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

January 31, 2020: Inducted 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 Win

In 2021, Tony Stewart won the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) Series championship after securing a podium finish in the inaugural race and sweeping the dirt track races, ultimately winning by 45 points.