INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – Tony Stewart’s strong weekend at Indianapolis Motor Speedway ended much like his 2015 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season has shaped.
Disastrous.
Stewart, a native of Columbus, Indiana unloaded strong at The Brickyard on Friday, posting competitive laps near the top of the speed charts. The Stewart-Haas Racing driver carried the speed through all three Cup practices Friday.
On Saturday, Stewart proved that the solid practice efforts weren’t a fluke, as he qualified a season-best fourth. In the early stages of the 22nd annual Crown Royal presents the Jeff Kyle 400 at The Brickyard, Stewart was able to maintain pace.
In fact, the three-time Cup champion hovered inside the top-five for much of the race’s first half.
But, once strategy became crucial in the outcome of the race, Stewart and his team weren’t able to execute in the second half.
It just wasn’t track position that hindered Stewart and his Chad Johnston led team.
NASCAR came to Indianapolis with a new rules package, one that saw a taller spoiler with the anticipation of producing “pack racing” and seeing constant passes on the track.
While the racing produced mind-boggling restarts and some hold your breath moments, the ability to manufacture constant passing was bleak.
Even with the poor finish on Sunday, Stewart and his team can take the notion that their No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet SS was back where they belong, contending for the lead and executing much-needed television time.
The series heads back to Pocono (Pa.) Raceway next weekend where the team finished 21st in June, but the Tricky Triangle has produced two of his 48 career Cup wins.
Sitting 28th in the championship standings after 20 races theoretically means Smoke will have to win a race if he wants a shot at this year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
