by Joe Jennings
12/1/2007 New York, NY Tony Stewart and four-dozen other Nextel Cup drivers are consumed by a 36-race schedule, numerous test sessions and an even greater number of sponsor commitments. For many drivers, the Cup schedule is more than enough but for Tony Stewart, theres more to be done. The star driver is the veritable Energizer Bunny, racing often as he can along with devoting quality time managing his various businesses. Owning the famed Eldora Raceway is one of Stewarts passions and learning the business side of track management is another one. I learned from Earl Baltes (the long-time Eldora owner), plus I have learned a lot attending workshops with other promoters and track owners, he said while in New York. There are a lot of dedicated promoters out there, and they will do anything they can to help each other and to keep short-track racing alive. Short-track fans are a unique breed and they love their Saturday night racing. Our Prelude to the Dream at Eldora and the HBO telecast did a lot to bring attention to short-track racing. With a sparkle in his eye, Stewart added, I am passionate about dirt-track racing and I think it is a way for me to give back (to the sport). If something ever happens, I will have a way to stay busy and to be productive. Until all of this started I had wondered what life would be like if I wasnt behind the steering wheel. Stewarts schedule doesnt permit him to race on dirt often but he does seek out opportunities whenever he can. I have to get my fix and get dirty once in a while, he said. The Indiana native will kick off his 2008 season racing a midget in the famed Chili Bowl extravaganza but after that his schedule is so crowded, he wont have time for the 24 Hours of Daytona a race he has come close to winning twice. Stewarts other businesses include Tony Stewart Racing, which field a pair of World of Outlaw sprint cars for new hires Donny Schatz and Kraig Kinser along with a USAC midget and sprint-car team for Tracy Hines and Levi Jones. Hines has just returned to action after recuperating from an off-track incident and Jones recently captured the USAC sprint-car title for a second time. Tracy (Hines) raced twice at Phoenix and Irwindale and those races will give him a lot of momentum going into 2008. Hes still doing rehab therapy every morning and his comeback races will help him in lifting his spirits. Danny Lasoski had been Stewarts original WOO driver and he was replaced by Paul McMahon, but neither combination clicked. We just couldnt find the chemistry, Stewart said. For the 2008 season, Stewarts operation has been expanded to two cars with two-time champion Schatz and the youthful Kinser leading the way. Donny (Schatz) should be the favorite to win the crown again, and with Kraig (Kinser), he will make us a double-threat for the championship. Even though Stewarts Joe Gibbs team will be transition to Toyota power starting in 2008, his short-track team will continue to rely upon Chevrolet engines under an agreement that has two years to run. Chevrolet has done an outstanding job, and they are trying hard to lower the costs of midget racing. I really appreciate their efforts.
Between now and the Daytona 500, Stewart will focus on fine-tuning his various businesses and once the season starts, his capable managers will take over, allowing him to focus on the big picture the 2008 Sprint Cup championship.