The end of an era

Fordracing7

Fordracing7

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I want to pay tribute to Tony Stewart, even though the season is not over yet. I might not feel like doing this again in the next 5 months. Not counting Mikey's occasional start Tony is basically the last connection on track to when NASCAR was just different. Whether it was the cars, the sponsors, the broadcast, the drivers or me whatever the case is, it just seemed better. As a young boy from Minnesota at the time the still southern based sport in the 90's was just magical back then. Tony is old school, he is tuff, he might be from the Midwest but he is a good Ole boy. Maybe JR. Will be the closest connection we will have after this year but the sport will forever feel different so to that I say Thank You to Tony and to the past.
 
After this year. I believe there will be no full time drivers that had won a race in the 20th century. Could be wrong though.
 
I'm going to miss Tony so much. I love when they interview him, I think he's got a sharp sense of humor.
 
Yes Everybody in the forum knows the 90s were better in talent of drivers then 2016.
 
Tony was a great driver and a great competitor. When he moved to Nascar, he quickly became my favorite Nascar driver... despite his frequent cringe-worthy antics. I'll never forget his 2011 Chase performance, one for the ages no doubt. That was about the time I found myself rooting for the new guy in the 2, but Tony remained my second favorite and I was excited to "help" him win it all in 2011.

Smoke was the link to the old days, to guys like Foyt and Andretti and Pearson and Yarborough. Thanks for the ride, Smoke.
 
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Tony has had a brilliant career and despite some of his missteps and anger issues is one of the all time greats and likely the last of his kind. Ironically I will be going through Rushville IN today and will see if I can snap a pic of the "Rushville Rocket" sign.
 
Tony was always mentioning the old drivers and Nascar history . He will be missed
 
I wish Tony had the chance to go out as others have before him, without the extra non-NASCAR related stories. As great as he's been, I'll probably remember him more for what happened to him off the track than on.

My most memorable moments on track/NASCAR related Tony moments.....

Climbing the Brickyard fence after his victory there.

Being @ Martinsville for his 2011 fall win propelling him on to another Championship.

Bringing NASCAR back to dirt @ Eldora.
 
This is all very touching...been a Tony fan as long I've been a NASCAR fan. He stands for what is right in life- dream big and go for your passion. He's not here for the money, nor does he care what's he's driving, he's just here to race. I think he hates all the distractions (media, some of the pushy fans). But he's not done, I garuntee. He'll be racing till he's in the grave, I'm 100% sure of that. The coolest thing about Tony... He's the most likely guy out of any driver from the past 20 years to come back to your home track. That hasn't been a thing in 20+ years. He'd still be racing on dirt midweek if it weren't for his accidents.

Just the thought that I have a chance of seeing him race at one of my local tracks after he "retires" is the coolest thing in the world.
 
RCM88x said:
After this year. I believe there will be no full time drivers that had won a race in the 20th century. Could be wrong though.
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I believe that is right, depending on whether you think the year 2000 is in the 20th or 21st century.
 
I've been a fan of Tony since his Indy days. He came to NASCAR when things were changing from old school drivers to the Jeff Gordon model that is the standard today. Sometimes he would go off on a rant that would make me cringe (whoops - that's another thread). He is one of the drivers that races other series (I admire drivers who do that). He hasn't been competitive for a few years like a lot of drivers at the end of their careers. But I think he has the luxury to stay involved in a variety of racing activities. And I'm pretty sure he'll continue to say what he thinks.
 
I know I'll miss him. For all the reasons above.

It's too bad he's had so much bad luck the past few years. Has there every been a driver that has fallen so fast from championship form? #1 in 2011 and #9 in 2012, and just nothing after that.
 
I generally enjoyed Tony. He let his opinions and emotions be shown and it got him in trouble. He drove hard and loved to race anything. Wish he would be able to leave on a better note than what he has so far, but who knows he just might pull a rabbit out of the hat and win again yet.
 
Nichodemus said:
Has there every been a driver that has fallen so fast from championship form? #1 in 2011 and #9 in 2012, and just nothing after that.
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Good question. I can't think of another decline quite so steep.
 
I too will miss Tony next year, damn this getting older.
 
IDK what was going on but when I went through Rushville yesterday there were no signs alerting drivers to the town let alone a mention of Tony. The only thing left on the pole was a DARE sign.
 
lol the guy is a good driver and nothing more. A bad guy in every way there is. Thank god this clown will be gone.
 
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