Smokin' It Up at Knoxville & Kansas

Originally Posted on October 2, 2006 on Foxsports.com

Thursday night Tony Stewart and Ken Schrader joined Late Model drivers at the Lucas Oil Knoxville Late Model Nationals.  Tony finished the night 12th in points, which he hoped would propel him into the A Main on Saturday night.  Schrader did not finish well on  Thursday night, so he did not race on Saturday.  Had Schrader run Saturday, he would have had to run the B Main and finish in the top 6 places to transfer into the A Main.  Since Stewart was committed to run the Busch race at Kansas for Keven Harvick, Inc., if he didn't make the A Main, he wouldn't be able to make the race.  Fortunately, he scored enough points to make the A Main.  On Saturday night, Stewart survived the 100 lap race (and I do mean survived) and finished second to Brian Shirley.

 

Saturday shaped up to be a long day for Stewart.  First, he had Cup practice, followed by Busch qualifying, the Busch race, a plane ride to Knoxville, hot laps, and the A Main at Knoxville.  Stewart arrived back at Kansas early Sunday morning.

With the 300 mile Busch race and 100 lap (50 mile) Late Model race behind him, Stewart was ready to run the Nextel Cup race on Sunday.   Stewart moved through the pack but never quite could catch the leaders.  When it came down to a question of gambling for the win, Stewart did not hesitate but told Zippy they should go for it.  And he promised to save fuel.

Stewart then proceeded to race Casey Mears, Carl Edwards, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Jeff Burton  for position.  All the while, Zippy cautioned him to "save fuel" as he was a 1/2 lap short.

When he took the lead with  around 5 laps to go, Zippy told Stewart that he was over 18 seconds ahead of second place.  Stewart then started to race cars who had stopped for fuel - primarily Dale Jr.  Zippy ordered Stewart to "LET HIM GO" because it wasn't for position. 

When Stewart ran out of fuel, he was discouraged.  Zippy told him not to turn into pit road but to go to the start-finish line.  Meanwhile, cars passed Stewart.  Stewart finally came on the radio and asked who won. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zippy, somewhat incredulously told him "YOU did."   Stewart responded with "It's about time we won one of these."