NASCAR Hall of Famer abruptly comes out of retirement
Tony Stewart is set to come out of NASCAR retirement for a one-off event.
On July 4, 2020, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will make their debut on the Indianapolis Road Course. Stewart has elected to join them.
This event marks the first time any of the NASCAR National Series events run the road course in Indianapolis. The level playing field and new venue has sparked interest from the retired NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Stewart retired from full-time racing at the end of the 2016 season. He hasn’t run a NASCAR race since Homestead of that year.
Since retirement, Stewart is busier than ever. While he hasn’t spent much time in stock cars, he’s been traveling the country while wheeling his dirt sprint car at bullring dirt tracks.
The Indiana native is a two-time Brickyard 400 winner. He won on the oval in 2005 and 2007.
Stewart is set to pilot a Stewart-Haas Racing car in his return.
In October 2019, Tony Stewart jumped behind the wheel of a stock car for the first time since 2016. It came at Circuit of the Americas where he ran demo laps in the NASCAR Cup Series machine.
Related: Tony Stewart to run demo laps at COTA
Tony Stewart comments on his return to NASCAR
“Everyone knows what Indy means to me, so I can’t think of a better place to race on Fourth of July weekend,” Tony Stewart said in a surprise team release.
“It’s going to be cool making history by turning left and right in a stock car at the Brickyard, and the racing will be full of action and contact. Any time you can drive any race car at the speedway is special, and you know I’m going for the win. The date is already circled on my calendar.”
His last NASCAR Xfinity Series start came back in 2013 at Daytona International Speedway. He drove the No. 33 Richard Childress Racing car to victory lane that day.
Stewart’s NASCAR career ended with 49 career victories. His three championships were collected in 2002, 2005 and 2011.
Details regarding a car number, sponsors and crew will be released at a later date.
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Links
Tony Stewart | Stewart-Haas Racing | Tony Stewart Racing | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | NASCAR
