Tony Stewart has a simple attitude for the rest of the Nextel Cup season: Just have fun.
One week after winning in Atlanta, Stewart showed up with the same car at Texas Motor Speedway Sunday and was even more dominant than he was in his previous victory, leading 278 laps en route to his fifth checkered flag of the season, and third since the Chase for the Cup began.
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What is the secret to his recent success? Stewart said that after he failed to make the Chase for the Cup, he decided that having fun and getting as many wins as possible over the final 10 races of the season would give his team something to focus on.
“We needed to keep the team pumped up,” Stewart said after the race. “The guys responded to that attitude. We?ve had a ton of fun.”
They may have a new attitude, but Stewart and crew chief Greg Zipadelli have also recently discovered a set-up that has kept them consistently running at the front.
“You can change your attitude and mindset,” said Jimmie Johnson, who finished second to Stewart at Texas, “but at the same time, you?ve got to do your job as a driver and have good equipment.”
Johnson has to be relieved that Stewart failed to make the Chase this season. After being 165 points behind Jeff Burton a few weeks ago, Johnson completed and improbable comeback last weekend, regaining the championship lead over Matt Kenseth. If Stewart had made the Chase, though, Johnson might still be in second place.
Stewart is quick to point out, however, that things would be very different if he was in the Chase this year.
“The stress level is one-tenth of what those guys have in the Chase,” Stewart said. “It lets us have the ability to take chances and try things ? go all out to win races.”
Stewart is known for his hot streaks, so it will be no surprise to see his success continue. It is the sixth time in his career that Stewart has won back-to-back races, and he has his sights set on two more before the season is over.
On the possibility that he could win a personal-best seven races this season, Stewart said, “It would be a great accomplishment. It would definitely be the saving grace of this year for us.”
Winning two races in a row in the Nextel Cup series is difficult enough, but winning four straight races to end theseason is not very likely, even with the way Stewart has been running recently. Still, he is happy with the way things are going right now.
“We?re having fun and winning races,” Stewart said. “You can?t ask more out of a race team than that.”
Get up to speed on the latest in NASCAR by listening to Wilson?s Race Report every Monday and Friday at 5:39 p.m. on 93.1 WPOC. You can e-mail Steve at [email protected].
