“It Was a Way Different Feeling”- Tony Stewart Discloses His Favorite NASCAR Cup Series Win

Tony Stewart‘s legacy in NASCAR is something fans will remember for decades to come. Accumulating, three Cup Series championships, Stewart has had a long and successful stint in motor racing. However, out of all of his championship wins, there’s ought to be a favorite right? In a recent podcast, Smoke revealed just that.

During the podcast, Stewart said, “Well honestly, three times. I wish it was four. But the last one of the three was, that championship I won as an owner and a driver.”

“But my third one as a driver was really special to me.”

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“To be not only the driver of the car but to be the guy that owned the race team as well and assemble the team and people. To celebrate with my team, it was a way different feeling than what it had been as my driver championships before.”

When and with whom did Tony Stewart get his 3rd championship?

After winning two championships with Joe Gibbs Racing, Stewart decided to part ways with the team and head into Haas CNC Racing. Smoke also purchased 50% of the team, thereby converting the name to the more familiar, Stewart-Haas Racing.

Smoke ended his first year with his own team in a decent 6th place. However, it would take only two more years for him to get back up to the top. It was the 2011 season when he picked up his 3rd and final Cup Series Championship. But unlike the previous two, this was the first time he would be collecting the trophy both as the driver and the team owner.

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No wonder Smoke called this to be really special for him. Who doesn’t like the sound of winning at the top flight of American stock car racing? That too, racing for your own team. Stewart finally ended his Cup career after the 2016 season, after having spent 18 years of his life racing amongst the best.