Stewart Getting Hot

(By Sarah Farlee Managing Editor, CupScene.com)

Posted: Sunday,June 27th, 2010

Loudon, N.H., Tony Stewart has started to simmer as the summer months begin heating up.

Stewart finished second in Sunday’s Lenox Industrial Tools 301 at the New Hampshire International Speedway. It was the third top-five for the owner-driver in the past four races.

The finish was one the team wasn’t sure would cycle through after Stewart had to come to pit road 20 laps earlier than the field after the team failed to get the car full of fuel.

“We started 25th and got in the Top-10 there on the first run and then we came into pit, we didn’t get the fuel in the car,” said Stewart. “It put us I don’t know, 30-some-odd laps down on fuel window.”

LOUDON, NH - JUNE 27: Tony Stewart, driver of the #14 Old Spice/Office Depot Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series LENOX Industrial Tools 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on June 27, 2010 in Loudon, New Hampshire. (Photo by Todd Warshaw/Getty Images for NASCAR)

For the next two runs Stewart had to short pit, and stay on old tires. Stewart says in the beginning it helped when the pit sequence cycled around. However, pitting early, doesn’t allow for saving tires when trying making up time on the field. 

“We got to our last fuel window stop there and had to pit I think a lap, or two laps, I think before Kasey blew up,” said Stewart, of the caution for Kasey Kahne’s expired engine.

Stewart was able to catch the wave around and began working back toward the front. Stewart says being able to get back to the front is hopefully a good sign for Stewart-Haas Racing, who has notably struggled early this season. Stewart gives credit to the team, and testing.

“I’m hoping it’s a sign that things are turning around a little bit and that we are for sure,” said Stewart. “We went and did a test [at Milwaukee] to get ready for this race and we think — I can definitely attribute today to that test.”

“Nobody has quit on the deal,” said Stewart of the team. “We have all just dug deeper and, you know, it’s hard when you’re down like that. It’s hard to keep motivated and keep everybody pumped up, and we all kind of have to pat each other on the back and keep each other pumped up.”

The owner-driver says he is as “guilty as anybody” when it comes to the struggle to stay motivated and said “I’m going to take the time to thank everybody” when arriving at the shop on Monday.

“Today is over and we have to start tomorrow for next week,” Stewart said. “Everybody talks about momentum and it’s a theory, I guess, in all reality.”

“Still doesn’t matter what we did today or last week or two weeks ago when it comes time next Friday to go on the racetrack, we have got to do our job and do it right,” Stewart added. “Just seems like if you start doing things right, I mean, we just never got track position at Pocono, and that’s the part where I didn’t run up there all day but we had a fast car when we did get up there.”

“It’s just a situation where you have to go out and keep working each week and trying to make your stuff better and better.”

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