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The last chapter of what has become an excellent book in the Joe Gibbs library will quietly close this afternoon as the checkered flag waves in Homestead. It will be Tony Stewart's 356th and final start with JGR...

Tony Stewart: Thanks "Smoke" for Ten Great Years!

by Kara Martin (Analyst)

16

1041 reads

Editorial

November 16, 2008

Motorsports, NASCAR, Joe Gibbs, Tony Stewart, Motorsports, Joe Gibbs Racing, Sprint Cup, Editorial
The last chapter of what has become an excellent book in the Joe Gibbs library will quietly close this afternoon as the checkered flag waves in Homestead. It will be Tony Stewart's 356th and final start with JGR.
It has been a decade of decadance for Stewart fans. We saw Tony take the the rookie of the year title in 1999, followed by two championship titles in 2002 and 2005.
There have been 10 poles, 129 top-five finishes, 206 top-tens and 10,225 laps led in 355 career Sprint Cup starts, all of which have come with Joe Gibbs Racing.
The tenure of Stewart and crew chief Greg Zippadelli, the longest active crew chief/driver in the Sprint Cup garage, will also come to a bittersweet end.
When asked how Zipadelli felt about running the last race with Stewart, he replied:
"It's like it's been a marriage and now we're getting a divorce. I spent so much time with him, working with him, working for him over the last 10 years that I don't know what to expect this weekend.  Not to be corny or anything, but it'll be sad.  It'll be disappointing.  I still wish that we were staying together and finishing out our time here at Joe Gibbs Racing, but obviously that's changed.  We're going in different directions now."    
The 2009 season will begin with Tony in his new role as driver and owner of his No. 14 Chevrolet. Zippadelli will stay with JGR and the Home Depot team, taking over the role of 18-year-old phenom Joey Logano's crew chief.
Today the Home Depot car will be adorned with decals celebrating each of Stewart's 33 Sprint Cup wins, sending Tony out behind the wheel of the No. 20 car one last time in blaze of glory. A fitting tribute to the man we have come to know simply as "Smoke."
So to you Tony Stewart, Greg Zipadelli, Joe Gibbs and the entire Home Depot team, thanks for ten great years! Best of luck to all of you in 2009.
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comments (16) write a comment »

  1. reply to comment by Mary Jo
    about 1 month ago

    It's the end of an era Kara - thanks for saluting Smoke, Zippy and crew! But one question still remains....will Tony still climb the fence, even without Home Depot??!! Inquiring minds want to know!

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Mary Jo. That entire Home Depot team deserves so much credit! As for Tony, he better keep climbing that fence! Keeping the fingers crossed for some wins with the new team!

  2. reply to comment by al
    about 1 month ago

    Kara big time Anthony Wayne Stewart fan here . thanks for the article....

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Al, me too!

  3. reply to comment by Heath
    about 1 month ago

    Good article Kara, and AWSOME selection of picture!

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Heath, I thought that picture totally rocked!

  4. reply to comment by WANDA
    about 1 month ago

    WILL TONY BE GOING TO THE BANQUET THIS YEAR

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      Tony will be at the banquet this year and by ending up in the 9th position he will make it up on stage!

  5. reply to comment by S M
    about 1 month ago

    Excellent tribute to Smoke, Zippy, JGR & Home Depot, Kara. Now after 2009 season, be interesting to see if Zippy and how many of this crew sign with Stewart-Haas Racing.

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks SM. I really can't believe that 10 years have passed since a young & dare I say svelt, Tony Stewart was introduced to the Cup series. He has come a long way and good or bad has entertained us for a decade. I do wish him well & would love to see he & Zippy partner up again in the future!

  6. reply to comment by Matt
    about 1 month ago

    now i know how the Junior fans felt last year....gotta buy all new crap!

    Here's to 10 more awesome years!

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      HAHAHA...I'm a Jr. fan too, so I feel your pain! All new stuff!

  7. reply to comment by Patti
    about 1 month ago

    very nice job on this one... I was realy looking forward to see Tony's interview pre race you can tell just in his face how emotional it was for him.. I hope he has continued success next year him and ryan newman. I still think it's going to be weird to see Logano in the #20 next year..

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      Thanks Patti, it was very refreshing to see that side of Tony wasn't it. He was humbled and truly subduded but knows that it was back to business this morning at Stewart-Haas. The number 20 and that bright orange car as much a part of Tony's character as is his openspoken nature, it will be weird to see Logano take his place!

  8. reply to comment by Christopher
    about 1 month ago

    Next year's sure gonna be an adjustment, going from big orange to big red. Hopefully the next ten years are as bountiful as the first ten for Tony.

    1. by Kara
      from about 1 month ago

      We can certainly hope, I wish him nothing but the very best!

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