American · Rushville, USA · Born 20 May 1971American NASCAR driver and team owner who won three Cup Series championships (2002, 2005, 2011) and 49 Cup Series races during his career.
Three NASCAR Cup Series championships in 2002, 2005, and 2011 — the last achieved as an owner-driver, the first to manage that since Alan Kulwicki — combined with an IndyCar Series title in 1997 make Tony Stewart the only driver in history to win championships in stock cars, IndyCar, and open-wheel Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown cars. Stewart won the 1994 USAC National Midget Series, 1995 USAC Triple Crown, and 1997 IndyCar Series championships before moving to NASCAR's Winston Cup Series in 1999, winning Rookie of the Year with three victories in his debut season. Stewart, nicknamed "Smoke," won three NASCAR Cup Series championships, in 2002, 2005, and 2011 — the last as an owner-driver with his own team, Stewart-Haas Racing, the first driver-owner to win a title since Alan Kulwicki. He remains the only driver in history to win championships in stock cars, IndyCar, and open-wheel Midget, Sprint, and Silver Crown cars. Stewart retired from full-time NASCAR driving after the 2016 season to focus on team ownership, later moving into drag racing and winning the 2025 NHRA Top Fuel regular season championship, extending a remarkably versatile career that has spanned nearly every major form of American motorsport.
Three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and successful team owner
How They Played
Aggressive racer known for hard charging and versatility across multiple racing disciplines
Lasting Impact
One of NASCAR's most successful driver-owners, known for aggressive driving and outspoken personality
Career Honours
- NASCAR Cup Series Champion 2002
- NASCAR Cup Series Champion 2005
- NASCAR Cup Series Champion 2011
- Daytona 500 Winner 2005
- Brickyard 400 Winner 1996 (Indy Racing League)
- Indianapolis 500 Winner 1997 (IRL)
- IRL IndyCar Series Champion 1997
- USAC National Midget Champion 1994
- USAC Silver Crown Champion 1995
- USAC National Sprint Car Champion 1995
- NASCAR Nationwide Series race winner multiple seasons
- NASCAR Motorsports Press Association Most Popular Driver Award 2011
American Athletes