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via Getty

via Getty

Wearing multiple hats, Tony Stewart isn’t just a two-time Cup Series winner; he’s also the only jack of all trades, acing both the IndyCar and NASCAR series. Now, dipping his toes into the waters of his co-owned SRX Series, Tony has once again scaled the mountain of success.

Tony Stewart was on cloud nine after Thursday’s SRX race at Eldora. To add another feather to his cap, Stewart clinched his fifth Camping World SRX Series title at Eldora Speedway by successfully keeping the ever-charging Hailie Deegan at bay. This particular race, it seems, tugged at his heartstrings. Engaging with the reporter, Stewart poured out his heart about what racing on that familiar turf meant to him.

Tony Stewart’s nostalgic lap around Eldora

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Though Tony Stewart had tasted victory on his turf before, marking his 5th SRX victory since the series’ inception seemed to stir a whirlwind of emotions as he set foot back on Eldora.

When quizzed on his sentiments about racing in Eldora and clinching the crown once again during a post-race tête-à-tête, Stewart’s response was a cocktail of pride and a trip down memory lane.

With emotions thick in his voice, Tony Stewart remarked, “It’s been a long time since I got to race at Eldora.” For him, Eldora didn’t just seem like another feather. Wearing multiple hats, he wasn’t merely on the grid but was also the cog in the machine orchestrating the spectacle. “I don’t know mixed emotions because I am a track owner and series owner, driver on the steel, and I was really, really proud of our track crew, Rob Platfoot,” he proclaimed, placing Rob on a pedestal.

The circuit “got a major overhaul,” Tony noted, highlighting the symphony of collaboration that made the magic happen. He tipped his hat to Joe Rovo, who burned the midnight oil shaping the track, and to Reso Corno of Cocomo for being the wind beneath their wings. Even while noting the thin bench of seasoned hands for track upkeep, Tony sang praises of the cream of the crop they had, heralding Platfoot as the “king pen.”

In his words, “The first lap and a half, I didn’t even care how fast I was. I was just trying to figure out how smooth the race track was and what shape it was in. But super happy with that.” However, the racer’s fire in him wasn’t snuffed out for long. Reflecting on the early rehearsals, Stewart was brimming with zeal. “I knew in the first practice session that we have a shot and would be having a good night. I didn’t know it was going to be that good, but we were solid.”

Yet the limelight wasn’t solely on Stewart. The SRX series, known for its theatrical twists and turns, especially following Paul Tracey’s curtain fall just a week prior, ensured Eldora’s chapter was nothing short of a blockbuster.

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Thunder on the Tracks: A recap of the electrifying race

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In an electrifying episode of “Thunder on the Tracks,” Tony Stewart exhibited his racing prowess, leaving everyone in the dust at the Superstar Racing Experience on a Thursday night that was nothing short of fireworks on the asphalt.

Off to a flying start from the pole position, Stewart held the reins firmly, ruling the roost over the 75-lap stretch, even when the going got tough with multiple race resets due to car catastrophes.

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As per frontstretch.com, the race had its moments of mayhem, notably when Austin Dillon‘s radiator hiccup set off a chain reaction, sending many, including Marco Andretti and Hailie Deegan, into a tailspin against the outer barrier. Quick on their feet, the officials ensured Andretti and Deegan were back in the saddle with backup vehicles. However, for Tony Kanaan, Chase Briscoe, and Austin Dillon, it wasn’t their day in the sun.

The second heat of the race saw Tony Stewart roll up his sleeves, showcasing his tenacity. Even with the odds stacked against him, he carved his way through the pack, clinching another win. His grit saw him outpace heavyweights like Matt Kenseth and Ryan Newman, two fellow NASCAR Cup Series veterans.

While Stewart’s reign on the track seemed almost unchallenged, the tail end of the race presented a twist in the tale. Hailie Deegan, the shining star of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, gave him a run for the money, storming to an astounding second with her backup car. As the race neared its crescendo and the checkered flag danced in the wind, Stewart’s crowning moment in the Superstar Racing Experience was undeniable. Meanwhile, Ryan Newman’s podium finish cemented his standing for the 2023 SRX championship.

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For NASCAR fans who have followed Stewart’s journey, his daredevilry on the tracks has been his hallmark since his NASCAR debut. But witnessing this maestro, who usually dances with cars like he was born in the cockpit, wearing his heart on his sleeve, is truly a sight for sore eyes.

Read More: “We’ve Hurt Ourselves in the Sport”- Self-Made Tony Stewart Bashes NASCAR for Jeopardizing Future Racing Generation