2020 Tony Stewart NASCAR Hall of Fame Ring

Tony Stewart (born Anthony Wayne Stewart; May 20, 1971) is an American professional racing driver, team owner, and philanthropist, best known for winning three NASCAR Cup Series championships (2002, 2005, and 2011) and being the only driver to secure titles in both the IndyCar Series (1997) and NASCAR's premier stock car division. Born in Columbus, Indiana, Stewart began his racing career as a child in go-karts, capturing his first national karting championship at age 12 in 1983, and later amassed four United States Auto Club (USAC) national titles, including the prestigious Triple Crown in 1995 across midget, sprint car, and Silver Crown divisions.

Transitioning to NASCAR in 1999, Stewart earned Rookie of the Year honors in the Cup Series with three victories in his debut season and went on to secure 49 wins over his 18-year full-time driving career, triumphing on diverse track types from ovals to road courses. His 2011 championship run was particularly dramatic, as he clinched the title with a victory in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway, marking one of the sport's most memorable pursuits. Beyond driving, Stewart co-founded Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009, which captured three driver's championships (two Cup Series, one Xfinity Series) and 70 Cup Series wins before ceasing operations after the 2024 season, while he also owns Tony Stewart Racing (dirt track focused, with 27 championships since 2001) and Eldora Speedway since 2004.

Stewart's versatility extends to other series, including a 2006 International Race of Champions (IROC) title, a 2021 SRX Series championship, and NHRA drag racing achievements such as a 3rd-place finish in Top Alcohol Dragster in 2023, the Top Alcohol Dragster championship and Top Fuel Rookie of the Year in 2024, and the Top Fuel regular season championship in 2025. A philanthropist since founding the Tony Stewart Foundation in 2003?which raised over $7 million for causes like children's welfare and animal rescue before closing in 2024?he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2020, the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame in 2022, and named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers in 2023.