“If this doesn’t go down as one of the greatest championship battles in history, I don’t know what will.” is what Tony Stewart said in victory lane, as rain showered the victorious team, drowning them in a cascade of champagne. Little did he know, he was foreshadowing history. More than two decades later, the 2011 championship battle remains NASCAR’s finest hour.

Tony Stewart’s final Cup championship became a turning point, ending Jimmie Johnson‘s remarkable five-year reign and embedding itself as a race close to the hearts of NASCAR fans. The American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver drove like a man on a mission, and he executed that mission beautifully, conquering one of the toughest competition grids in NASCAR lore.

The Homestead-Miami Speedway race was the ultimate title decider, a high-stakes showdown with a tiebreaker battle with Carl Edwards and Kevin Harvick hot on their tails. Recently, the team co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing and current co-owner of the Superstar Racing Experience took a trip down memory lane with Chase Briscoe, reminiscing about the adversities the #14 crew overcame for their victory. With his trademark wit, Tony Stewart didn’t miss the chance to playfully jab at his former competitor, Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Stewart’s cheeky taunt as he recalls Dale Jr.’s learning moment

During the conversation, Tony Stewart and Briscoe analyzed a pivotal moment in lap 12 of the race, the former recalled his initial thoughts: “I’m like, ‘Well, that didn’t take long to ruin our day and our chance.'”

As the two watched intently as the race unfolded, Smoke’s No. 14 car pulled a slick slide job, slipping ahead of Jeff Gordon‘s No. 24 Chevy. Tony Stewart, known for his wit, playfully jabbed at Dale Earnhardt Jr., remarking, “This was before Dale Jr. knew what a slide job was, even.”

Briscoe probed deeper, asking about his mindset during the race. Tony Stewart explained how patience was key, especially after early damage forced them to the back of the pack.

With optimism and humor, he shared,  “We had to be patient with the damage at the beginning of the race and going to the back and going all right. And I joked with the guys, I said, “Well, now it’s really going to upset him when we come from the back and win the race.” But, and it was, and I was joking. I was just trying to keep the morale of the team up.”

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The conversation took an intense turn as the American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver described their relentless pursuit, fighting through the field.

Contact with David Rudeman added to the drama, and Stewart noted, “Then we’re halfway, we come halfway from the back of the pack, halfway through the field, and have contact with a buddy of ours. David Rudeman punched a hole in the nose and the bodywork. Next caution, we have to go through that whole sequence all over again.”

Shocking twist as there’s a sudden split between Tony Stewart and Grubb after the championship win

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Tony Stewart further acknowledged the pivotal role played by crew chief Darian Grubb. He remarked, “There was enough drama there for about five races.” Little did he know that the drama would extend far beyond the checkered flag, as he added, “It was really keying off of Darian Grubb, who was my crew chief at the time. Darian called a perfect race. I mean, everything that happened, he was calm, he was collected, and he was helping make those big tough decisions. I just had the confidence in him by how we were running.”

Indeed, it’s worth noting that despite his profound gratitude and credit to Grubb for their championship win, the saga took a surprising twist. Right after securing the title, Tony Stewart and his Stewart-Haas Racing team parted ways with Grubb. It was a move that sent shockwaves through the NASCAR community and underscored the cutthroat nature of the sport.

The day Grubb helped Tony Stewart and SHR clinch the championship turned out to be his last with the team. Grubb had been informed of his impending release after the fifth race of the 10-race Cup playoffs at Charlotte. What makes Grubb’s story even more remarkable is his unwavering commitment to his job. Despite knowing that his time with SHR was numbered, Grubb continued to work tirelessly. He led Smoke to victories in three of the remaining five races, accumulating five overall wins during the 10-race playoffs, ultimately culminating in the championship win.

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This tale serves as a testament to the intricate dynamics of NASCAR’s success. While a talented driver is crucial, they are just one piece of the puzzle. A winning team requires an adept crew chief, a flawless pit crew, an efficient support team behind the scenes, and a competitive car. It’s akin to a well-oiled machine that depends on every component working harmoniously. As Tony Stewart aptly put it, “It’s a matter of risks vs. reward“ Each victory in NASCAR is a collective effort, with a multitude of names contributing to the journey toward success.