Picture of Cool
By Jerry Bonkowski, Yahoo! Sports
INDIANAPOLIS – Tony Stewart didn't just win his second Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, he also proved that a picture truly is worth a thousand words.
It was during the closing laps of the race, as Stewart rode a comfortable lead and streaked toward the finish line, that ESPN cut to an in-car camera view inside his No. 20 Chevrolet.
While everyone behind him was jockeying to achieve the best finish they could, Stewart casually reached for a water bottle and took a long gulp.
In the process, Stewart nonchalantly took both hands off the wheel – as if to show the world, "Look, Ma, no hands" – and effortlessly drove down the front stretch with the steering wheel wedged between his knees.
Here he was, just a couple of laps from the finish line, and Stewart was treating what likely will be the second-biggest race win in his career in nothing short of carefree fashion.
That image of Stewart driving like he didn't have a care in the world also subconsciously served notice that Tony is truly at his best when he's relaxed and laid-back.
Sound familiar?
It should – because that's exactly the same way Stewart won his second career Nextel Cup title in 2005.
He didn't fret, didn't worry and didn't waver. He used his first win at the Brickyard as a foundation eventually to build a championship on a few months later.
And that's the same kind of Stewart we saw Sunday. He simply enjoyed a leisurely, relaxing afternoon drive, albeit at the most famous race track in the world.
"Man, it just seems like a normal year," Stewart said. "This time of year, we just get hot. I crave a day like today.
"We couldn't get a break in the first half of the year. Maybe it's changing now, and we can get on a run of our own here in the second half."
Just like '05.
"We felt so good after Chicago that we were breaking the ice for the year, knowing that at this time of year, once we get that first win, (more wins) seem to come right after each other," Stewart said. "That made the weekend off more fun and gave us confidence coming in. It's almost unrealistic to say we had momentum after one race, but we did. We carried momentum for two solid weeks."
After a lackluster first half of the season, most notably being shut out of victory lane, one thing now is very clear as we leave Indy and proceed forward to the remaining six races prior to the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
Stewart is back – and in a big way.
And that spells trouble for every one of his competitors, from points leader Jeff Gordon to Dale Earnhardt Jr., from Kevin Harvick even to "rookie" Juan Pablo Montoya.
"I think that's why I'll enjoy this one more than the first one," Stewart said. "The first one was like taking the weight of the world off your shoulder.
"Today, it's like we're just happy. That's probably what helped us today, to be able to be happy, calm and just race the race those last 10 laps. … It was like a life-or-death situation two years ago. (Today) it was easier to put it in perspective, calm down and race the race not like my whole life depended upon it."
Last season, a lot was said about how relaxed Stewart was when he won three races during the Chase after failing to make the so-called playoffs. All the pressure was off, and he simply went out and had fun.
That's exactly the same way Stewart is now, just as relaxed. Only this time it's doubtful he'll fall short of the Chase like he did last year. Sunday helped establish that he likely will be a major factor in this year's Chase.
"He's definitely one of the ones to beat," said current points leader Jeff Gordon, who finished third in Sunday's race.
Besides his relaxed state, there was something else Sunday that was so reminiscent of his win here two years ago and what it propelled him toward: that fiery look in his eyes.
After being denied the chance last season to repeat his championship from the year before, one look Sunday at Stewart and it was undeniable: There's a hunger and longing inside that won't be satisfied until he hoists that championship trophy again at Homestead in mid-November.
Now it's "watch out" time for everybody else. If Stewart can make winning at the Brickyard look so effortless, think of what he can do in the remaining 16 races.
And six of the last nine Brickyard winners have gone on to win the championship, including Stewart in 2005. Will Sunday's performance eventually make it seven of the last 10?
While all the elements seem to be in place just like they were in 2005, Stewart doesn't want to stress about that now. With 16 races left, and the disappointment he suffered last year, he's not leaving anything to chance. He wants to stay relaxed and stay away from pressure.
"There's still a lot of racing to go," he said. "There's no guarantees.
"But it's still neat that the last two guys who've won this race went on to win the championship. I'm excited about the possibility. But does that make me a shoo-in? I wouldn't mortgage my house on it."
Two weeks ago, it was Schlitz Beer that Stewart loaded up on after winning at Chicago.
Sunday, it was water that he casually gulped en route to victory lane.
Four months from now in Homestead, will Stewart potentially be sipping championship champagne just like he did in 2005?
I'll drink to that.
Veteran motorsports writer Jerry Bonkowski is Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR columnist.
By Jerry Bonkowski, Yahoo! Sports
INDIANAPOLIS – Tony Stewart didn't just win his second Allstate 400 at the Brickyard on Sunday, he also proved that a picture truly is worth a thousand words.
It was during the closing laps of the race, as Stewart rode a comfortable lead and streaked toward the finish line, that ESPN cut to an in-car camera view inside his No. 20 Chevrolet.
While everyone behind him was jockeying to achieve the best finish they could, Stewart casually reached for a water bottle and took a long gulp.
In the process, Stewart nonchalantly took both hands off the wheel – as if to show the world, "Look, Ma, no hands" – and effortlessly drove down the front stretch with the steering wheel wedged between his knees.
Here he was, just a couple of laps from the finish line, and Stewart was treating what likely will be the second-biggest race win in his career in nothing short of carefree fashion.
That image of Stewart driving like he didn't have a care in the world also subconsciously served notice that Tony is truly at his best when he's relaxed and laid-back.
Sound familiar?
It should – because that's exactly the same way Stewart won his second career Nextel Cup title in 2005.
He didn't fret, didn't worry and didn't waver. He used his first win at the Brickyard as a foundation eventually to build a championship on a few months later.
And that's the same kind of Stewart we saw Sunday. He simply enjoyed a leisurely, relaxing afternoon drive, albeit at the most famous race track in the world.
"Man, it just seems like a normal year," Stewart said. "This time of year, we just get hot. I crave a day like today.
"We couldn't get a break in the first half of the year. Maybe it's changing now, and we can get on a run of our own here in the second half."
Just like '05.
"We felt so good after Chicago that we were breaking the ice for the year, knowing that at this time of year, once we get that first win, (more wins) seem to come right after each other," Stewart said. "That made the weekend off more fun and gave us confidence coming in. It's almost unrealistic to say we had momentum after one race, but we did. We carried momentum for two solid weeks."
After a lackluster first half of the season, most notably being shut out of victory lane, one thing now is very clear as we leave Indy and proceed forward to the remaining six races prior to the Chase for the Nextel Cup.
Stewart is back – and in a big way.
And that spells trouble for every one of his competitors, from points leader Jeff Gordon to Dale Earnhardt Jr., from Kevin Harvick even to "rookie" Juan Pablo Montoya.
"I think that's why I'll enjoy this one more than the first one," Stewart said. "The first one was like taking the weight of the world off your shoulder.
"Today, it's like we're just happy. That's probably what helped us today, to be able to be happy, calm and just race the race those last 10 laps. … It was like a life-or-death situation two years ago. (Today) it was easier to put it in perspective, calm down and race the race not like my whole life depended upon it."
Last season, a lot was said about how relaxed Stewart was when he won three races during the Chase after failing to make the so-called playoffs. All the pressure was off, and he simply went out and had fun.
That's exactly the same way Stewart is now, just as relaxed. Only this time it's doubtful he'll fall short of the Chase like he did last year. Sunday helped establish that he likely will be a major factor in this year's Chase.
"He's definitely one of the ones to beat," said current points leader Jeff Gordon, who finished third in Sunday's race.
Besides his relaxed state, there was something else Sunday that was so reminiscent of his win here two years ago and what it propelled him toward: that fiery look in his eyes.
After being denied the chance last season to repeat his championship from the year before, one look Sunday at Stewart and it was undeniable: There's a hunger and longing inside that won't be satisfied until he hoists that championship trophy again at Homestead in mid-November.
Now it's "watch out" time for everybody else. If Stewart can make winning at the Brickyard look so effortless, think of what he can do in the remaining 16 races.
And six of the last nine Brickyard winners have gone on to win the championship, including Stewart in 2005. Will Sunday's performance eventually make it seven of the last 10?
While all the elements seem to be in place just like they were in 2005, Stewart doesn't want to stress about that now. With 16 races left, and the disappointment he suffered last year, he's not leaving anything to chance. He wants to stay relaxed and stay away from pressure.
"There's still a lot of racing to go," he said. "There's no guarantees.
"But it's still neat that the last two guys who've won this race went on to win the championship. I'm excited about the possibility. But does that make me a shoo-in? I wouldn't mortgage my house on it."
Two weeks ago, it was Schlitz Beer that Stewart loaded up on after winning at Chicago.
Sunday, it was water that he casually gulped en route to victory lane.
Four months from now in Homestead, will Stewart potentially be sipping championship champagne just like he did in 2005?
I'll drink to that.
Veteran motorsports writer Jerry Bonkowski is Yahoo! Sports' NASCAR columnist.