LiveWorld Transcripts

Home Depot presents

Tony Stewart
NASCAR Winston Cup Driver

November 15, 2000

Read what NASCAR Winston Cup driver Tony Stewart had to say about his record-breaking rookie season, the 2000 season standings, the #20 Home Depot Pontiac, his crew and much more!

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Home Depot: This is your chance to ask Tony Stewart about his record-breaking rookie season, the 2000 season standings, the #20 Home Depot Pontiac, his crew and much more! Welcome Tony!

Gary: How would you assess your second year in Winston Cup?

Tony Stewart: I would say the fact that we won six races over the three we won last year is a pretty good indication that we had a better year than last year, even though we're not as high in the point standing.

Harold: When will you and the #20 team begin testing in preparation for the 2001 season?

Tony Stewart: We'll take the month of December off, but we'll start at the first of January.

Chuck: In racing for a championship, does your focus change from just winning the races to scoring as many points as possible whenever possible?

Tony Stewart: We try to win as many races as possible, but at the end of the race if we feel like we can't win, we try to score and acquire as many points as possible.

Bruce: How do you feel about being a threat for the Winston Cup championship next year?

Tony Stewart: It feels a lot better than not being a threat, obviously. It feels good to know that you have the same equipment as your teammate and that you have the same equipment as he had.

Peter: What does the #20 team need to do to win a Winston Cup championship?

Tony Stewart: Pray! Just try to do everything that Bobby did this year--that's what we have to do!

John: What makes Joe Gibbs Racing a championship organization?

Tony Stewart: Good question! Basically the way that it's organized. Joe's really good about assembling the right people to do the right jobs, and with his background in football and being a championship-winning coach, he knows how to assemble those championship-winning teams.

Dave: Did you ever think that your ascent up the Winston Cup ladder would happen so quickly?

Tony Stewart: I never would have dreamed that we could have accomplished what we did this year and last year. I figured if we could be in the top 25 in points by this time, I would be happy.

Mac Driver: How does it feel to be the only Winston Cup race winner at Homestead?

Tony Stewart: That feels really cool. To know that you're the only driver to win a Winston Cup race at that track when there are so many tracks that have such a long history behind them, to be able to go there and sweep both races--that's hard to do.

Racing Queen: How busy has your week been as you get ready for Atlanta?

Tony Stewart: It's been very busy. We've been to Washington, to the White House, and we obviously had a lot of phone calls to make following our victory last week.

Diana: Do you have any interests outside of racing?

Tony Stewart: I like to ride ATV's and go fishing.

Xiannie: How involved will you be with your new World of Outlaws team?

Tony Stewart: I am the car owner, and I will be very involved.

BB Willia: What do you feel will be the biggest change in 2001?

Tony Stewart: Just that the competition keeps getting tougher, so we have to do our homework all winter. Just because Bobby has won a championship, we can't let our guard down. We need to keep getting better.

Kimberly4573: Do you know if the Turkey race on Thanksgiving will be televised? I watch everything you are on! Do you have any plans to ever do other shows, like Letterman, etc.?

Tony Stewart: If my PR geek gets on the stick, maybe we can score Letterman. The Turkey Night race is on TV, but I'm not sure which station or affiliate it will be on. It is taped delayed, too.

Jake Jr: What do you think about NASCAR cars? After driving Indy cars, are they about as fast as Indy? Which one's the most fun to drive, and which handles the best? Thanks.

Tony Stewart: The Winston Cup cars are the most fun to drive from the standpoint that they don't handle as well as the Indy cars. The Indy cars weren't as fun because they handle better.

Jake Jr: Tony, I'm a big dirt late model fan. Are you planing to run any more dirt races?

Tony Stewart: I won't be running any more this year, but I plan on running five or six races next year. Maybe more, maybe less.

Eric Garrison: Tony! I'm a huge World of Outlaws fan in addition to my NASCAR addiction. I've heard that you will have a WoO team next year. Is this true?

Tony Stewart: Yes it is. Danny Lasoski will be driving for me, and we have JD Byrider as a primary sponsor and Hamm America as a secondary sponsor so far.

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