The
proof that midget auto racing is the greatest training grounds
for great race drivers is seen in Tony Stewart.
The first man to win the USAC Silver Crown, Sprint Car
and Midget titles in a single season (1995) went on to set on
the Pole at Indy in 1996 and was the 500 Mile Race “Rookie of
the Year”.
In 1997 he qualified second and
finished 5th at Indy. Stewart went on to win the IRL title
that year. In 1999 he moved into NASCAR racing and was their
“Rookie of the Year”.
Racing
go-karts and TQ’s in his youth Tony began his National midget
career in 1991. In 1993 he was 5th in the championship points.
He won the USAC National Midget Championship in 1994 then took
it and the Sprint and Silver Crown titles in 1995. With his
Indy career well underway he still raced the midgets to a 13th
and 11th place finish in National Midget points in 1997 and
’98.
Tony has won 24 National midget features including the
2000 “Turkey Night Grand Prix” at Irwindale, California for
the Steve Lewis team, which he called, “one of his greatest
wins ever.” At the time of his induction in 2001 his record
includes wins of the “Hut Hundred” in 1993 and ’95, the
“Copper Classic” in 1997 and ’98 and the “4-Crown Nationals”
in 1995.
