GREGORY: Tony Stewart all grown up

CONCORD, N.C.
Tony Stewart could be forgiven for appearing a bit stressed last January.

The fiery former Indy Racing League champion had just ventured out on a big limb by becoming an owner in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.
From personnel to horsepower, Stewart faced major responsibilities as the high-profile leader of the Stewart-Haas Racing team.

Racing a stock car at 190 mph in four-wide traffic at Talladega Superspeedway is tricky. Helping to oversee one of the most powerful teams in motorsports and deal with Fortune 500 companies can be downright maddening.

“None of us knew what to expect. It was a big question mark as to what was going to happen,” Stewart said.

Thanks to a mix of willpower and talent, Stewart authored one of the top success stories of the entire 2009 NASCAR season.
Stewart, 38, won four races en route to a sixth-place finish in Sprint Cup points. Meanwhile, teammate Ryan Newman finished ninth in points.

Media types once criticized Stewart for his rowdy ways and gruff manner during a successful 10-year association with the Joe Gibbs Racing team.

The maturation of Stewart was evident Monday during the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Stewart met the press wearing a spiffy dress shirt. He appeared relaxed and happy, and even engaged several reporters in animated conservations.
Part of the credit for Stewart’s happy mood can be credited to crew chief Darian Grubb. Thoughtful and patient, Grubb established a quick comfort zone with Stewart.

“Obviously as time goes on, you grow up and mature more,” Stewart said. “I had a great crew chief with Greg Zippadelli [at Joe Gibbs Racing], who I still have a great friendship with, but Darian has been very calming to me. We get sarcastic with each other, but he doesn’t get worked up.”

While other car owners have struggled under the harsh economy, Stewart’s and his team have been able to maintain support and even expand. With the key players, including a deep cast of engineers intact, Stewart has even higher expectations for 2010 for himself and Newman.

“I’m expecting a great year,” Stewart said. “I feel like both of us being able to get in the Chase last year was something I expect both teams to do. I feel like the changes that we went through and the work we’ve done over the winter has prepared both of these teams to have a shot at running for a championship.”

Newman takes a more analytical approach to racing than the ultra-aggressive Stewart. However, the two Indiana natives have the unique ability manhandle a 3,400-pound stock car and charm traditional fans. Stewart is from Columbus, Ind. Newman, an engineering graduate from Purdue University is from South Bend, Ind.

“Two points define a slope,” Newman said. “We have our point from 2009. Our point from 2010 will determine our success for Stewart-Haas racing in years to go.

“Just going out there and having a lot better start to the season in Daytona is extremely important – and getting that definition and that second point so we can define our future at Stewart-Haas Racing is also important for us.”

According to Tony Gibson, Newman’s crew chief, the bottom line never changes at Stewart-Haas.

“We want to come out and win races,” Gibson said. “Making the Chase was awesome, but that’s not good enough. We’ve got to step up our game.”

Grubb feels the entire team now has all the components, including experience working together, to challenge the titans such as Hendrick Motorsports.

“Last year we were building,” Grubb said. “Now, it’s actually good to be able to say we’re strengthening. The areas we felt like we had some weaknesses, we know where those are and we were able to make a few changes here and there.”

The major weakness dealt with time, said Stewart-Haas Racing director of competition Bobby Hutchens.

“The main thing for me is now I can look out of my office and see cars actually sitting out on the floor,” Hutchens said. “This time last year, it was a pretty empty shop.
I kind of feel like we’re two months ahead of last year’s schedule.”

Life in the fast lane has been enjoyable for Stewart, but the stress level never relents.

“With the ownership side, it makes you think about everything not just from a driver’s standpoint,” Stewart said. “It’s not all about me, me, me.

“The decisions I make, I have to think how it affects everyone. Ten years ago, I didn’t think of those things.”

agregory@bristolnews.com (276) 645-2544