Stewart’s Dream Comes True

Knowing where to look among 300,000 people Sunday, Tony Stewart saw his family on every lap of the Allstate 400 at the Brickyard -- especially his father, Nelson.

That’s how personal and somehow private a place Indianapolis Motor Speedway is for the versatile and volatile driver from nearby Columbus, Ind.

After nine years of bitter disappointments here had ended for him, after he’d finally won the 400 after losing it six times -- and the Indy 500 five times -- Stewart revealed just how deep in his marrow it all was and is.

“I’ve got a suite over there [overlooking] Turn 2,” Stewart said, “and for the last 50 laps my dad never left the front rail of that thing,” Stewart said. “Once, when I had about a three-second lead, I slipped once in Turn 2, and when I come back by the next time, he’s got his headset off and pointing to his head, just like he did when I was 8 years old [in go-karts]. He’s like, ‘Use your head.’

“And I’m thinking, ‘Dad, I got here [to Indy, and to NASCAR’s elite Nextel Cup division] for a reason. I know what I’m doing. Just let me do it.’

“That’s what made it hard. But it’s also what’s making it so gratifying and so special right now.

“There’s not many places you go and see your family every lap when you come around,” Stewart said. “I’m looking right at them when I go into Turn 2. I’m not looking for them, it’s just a natural sight line.”

After so much heartbreak here, Stewart found himself 10 laps from victory but with a major challenge from Kasey Kahne.

Running risky zig-zag patterns to break the draft on Kahne on Indy’s long straightaways, Stewart stayed cleanly out front the rest of the way.

Stewart had often said he’d trade his one NASCAR championship, in 2002, for just one win at Indy.

“This is one of those days that I don’t want to end,” Stewart said. “I don’t want to see the sun set.”

Starting 22nd in the 43-car field, Stewart worked steadily forward until he took the lead on the 100th of the 160 laps. He held it for 33 laps until Kahne caught and passed him with 26 laps to go.

Under the race’s 10th and final caution, Stewart had time to agonize while running behind the pace car. He began to wonder aloud via radio to crew chief Greg Zipadelli whether he should pit for gas and fresh tires.

“I’m too nervous to make the call,” Stewart said on the radio.

“Stay out,” Zipadelli said, knowing track position was vital because passing is so difficult at Indy.

Maintaining second place gave Stewart his fateful chance to pounce.

Moments after the restart, he charged past Kahne with less than 10 laps left.