(Photo: Tony Stewart celebrating at Bubba Raceway Park – Frank Smith Photo Credit)
Dates: Thursday through Saturday, January 31 – February 2, 2019
Event: Bubba Army Winter Nationals
Series: Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1
Track: Bubba Raceway Park (Ocala, Fla.)
Tony Stewart A-Main Finishes (Start):
Thursday: 3rd (2nd)
Friday: 13th (12th)
Saturday: 1st (1st)
BROWNSBURG, Ind. (February 4, 2019) – It only took four starts for Tony Stewart to navigate his way to victory lane in 2019, and doing so against the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet All Star Circuit of Champions presented by Mobil 1.
Stewart, driver of the Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing/Rush Truck Centers/Ford Performance/Curb Records/Sage Fruit/Absolute Automation & Security/No. 14 sprint car, earned his trip to victory lane during Winter Nationals competition at Bubba Raceway Park on Saturday, February 2. Nearly sweeping the entire evening program, Stewart led all 30 circuits to close out the All Star visit to the Ocala oval, eventually lapping over half of the field while maintaining a near-eight second lead for much of the main event.
In addition to his $5,000 victory, Stewart also won his respective heat race, as well as the dash, thus allowing the Columbus, Ind., native to start from the pole position.
“This definitely feels great. We had our friends from Sage Fruit and Rush Truck Centers watching so to get a win for those guys is really special. I felt like I let one get away the other night. I’m still not sure what I did wrong, but we let that one get away on Thursday,” Tony Stewart said, owner of the All Star Circuit of Champions. “We had a fast car all weekend. We really didn’t qualify that well on Saturday, but it put us on the pole of a heat race and that’s where you need to be for these races. I have a lot of great help and I wouldn’t be able to do this without them.”
Although his win on Saturday certainly iced the cake, the three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion kicked off his three-day visit to Bubba Raceway Park with a podium run on Thursday, January 31. Certainly the man in charge until losing the top spot, Smoke led the first 23 circuits before losing the lead to the CJB Motorsports entry driven by Shane Stewart.
In spite of the fact that Smoke was able to battle back and regain control on lap 25, Tim Shaffer soon came into the picture and drove by each of them, earning the lead over Smoke with a drag race off of turn four on lap 28. Shane Stewart followed suit and drove by Smoke to take control of second on lap 29.
Forced to battle a stout field, as well as a narrow, but fast racing surface, Stewart’s performance on Friday was disappointing when compared to his results on Thursday and Saturday. The open wheel veteran was compelled to settle for a 13th place finish after starting from the outside of row six.
“It was a fun weekend,” Tony Stewart continued. “You won’t find another track in the world shaped like Bubba Raceway Park. It sets up a lot of unique passing opportunities. I’m looking forward to returning.”
ADDITIONAL MEDIA:
Fans are encouraged to follow the progress of Tony Stewart, Tony Stewart/Curb-Agajanian Racing and the No. 14 Rush Truck Centers/Ford Performance/Curb Records/Sage Fruit/Absolute Automation & Security/J&J Auto Racing motorsports team on the Web and on social media. More information can be found at www.tonystewartracing.com, as well as at www.tonystewart.com.
Tony Stewart: Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TonyStewart/ or on Twitter at https://twitter.com/TonyStewart
Tony Stewart Racing: Facebook at www.facebook.com/TonyStewartRacing or on Twitter and Instagram at www.instagram.com/@TonyStewart_Rcg.
| 2019 Tony Stewart/Tony Stewart Racing Statistics: (thru February 4, 2019) |
| Total Races: 4 |
| Total Wins: 1 |
| Total Top-5s: 3 |
| Total Top-10s: 3 |
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CONTACT:
Tyler Altmeyer
Tony Stewart Racing Enterprises
(724) 954-4915, pr@tonystewart.com