How many rounds was the race? When he can go as many rounds as the average racer here can I'll be impressed.
Welcome to drag racing pal, where old guys can still do well.

Many to have thrown money at drag racing over the years with little to no success.
Tony Stewart has won in every type car he has driven. Yes he has boat loads of money, but to underestimate his driving talent level is just nuts, he is as pure of a natural driver as they come.

This is a good thing for our sport. His celebrity status in the whole arena of motorsports is bigger than anyone in NHRA including John Force.

Some of the best racing I've ever seen was on Thursday nights on ESPN when I was in my early twenties, Silver Crown cars right when Stewart was getting his shot at the big time on ESPN's Thursday Night Thunder.

He kicked their azz, him and David Steele (rip) both did.

Smoke has a Schnoz for winning.

quote:

Originally posted by Big Steve:
Many to have thrown money at drag racing over the years with little to no success.
Tony Stewart has won in every type car he has driven. Yes he has boat loads of money, but to underestimate his driving talent level is just nuts, he is as pure of a natural driver as they come.

This is a good thing for our sport. His celebrity status in the whole arena of motorsports is bigger than anyone in NHRA including John Force.

I'm still not impressed. We have pure natural drivers at just about every track we race at. Your's, too. I can think of a couple of guys at Orlando that are pure natural racers, a couple at Bradenton, and some more at G'ville. Guys that can be out of the seat for month's at a time and come back and win the race. We haven't even talked about the drivers who have graduated from juniors. They wear everyone's a$$ out.

Look, I'm not trying to be contrary or nasty here, we're all friends. He's good for the sport as he brings attention. The guy goes and loses by .0002 in his first race. So what? Who here has not won or lost one by that much? I have, even with my driving. I'm just saying let's put it into perspective.

Truth here. What impresses me are the guys on this board and others who work their butts off with iffy parts and non-existing budgets who go rounds every week.

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Rietow:

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
So basically if you have a bag of casn, can follow a routine and turn loose on time you can runner up in TA/D with Rich McPhillip's help.

It is cool to see what he did but there are lots of drivers that could have done the same thing. Put Monroe Guest in the seat and it would have been a win because Monroe would have been .030 or better all day long.

Redundant comment, considering the motorsport clout Smoke brings to the table.

Small minded.

Stupid comment.

He's good for the sport but I can't help it if my comment hurt your feelings because of your love for him. My point is still valid.

said it before he wins in everything he sits in. This will be no differeent

I thought it was an impressive performance for a first time competing at a National event.
But it brings up the question to me....could he win in anything?
A fast car in Alcohol Dragster can win a lot of rounds.
Could he have the same success right away in Top Dragster, Super Comp,or even Stock Eliminator?
My money would be betting NO.
I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

He was testing in Leah’s TF car again today if that is any indication of his future plans. With all his other race teams, SRX series, race tracks etc going on in his life, no way could he do a full time deal, but could do like Billy Torrance does and run some select races

For those who are complaining that Tony didn't meet the requirements to get a entry into the class, remember he is the owner of two PRO teams. With that ownership comes some vested interest with NHRA. I am pretty sure that they would let any pro team owner enter a sportsman category if they made the request.
I fully expect to see him racing in Pomona.

quote:

Originally posted by 442OLDS:
I thought it was an impressive performance for a first time competing at a National event.
But it brings up the question to me....could he win in anything?
A fast car in Alcohol Dragster can win a lot of rounds.
Could he have the same success right away in Top Dragster, Super Comp,or even Stock Eliminator?
My money would be betting NO.
I'd love for him to prove me wrong.

Obviously you have not paid attention to his career. He won in everything he has ever driven in competitive motorsports. If he ever decided to bracket race he would win. The guy is a driver end of story he has everything on the physical side and the mental part..

quote:

Originally posted by Joe Burkleo:
I fully expect to see him racing in Pomona.

I hope he races a bunch. It's nothing but good for NHRA right now.

I hope he wins the race in Pomona if he races it. That would be good press going into the down time.

I made the comment about lots of drivers being able to do what he did with such a good car and team and I still believe that's true. I will give the man credit though, that he can drive just about anything and do it well.

Driving the stripe though???? Not sure on that one happening this soon. It might take a while but no reason he couldn't after some time.

Something I just thought of. Anybody think someone will do to Tony what Torrence did to Ferre? I don't.

money and fame makes him far better for nhra than a broke dyck nobody that has never ran a divisional or national event. FACT.

I think he did pretty good for his first race. Some of it may be luck, some of it was they put him in a good car and that helps.

The better drivers will rise to the top and win more but you have to admit sometimes there is luck involved. Time will tell if he is all that great or got lucky.

I do not know or care if he is the real deal or just got lucky. Do not care but I am glad to see him bring more interest to alcohol class. Alcohol Dragster used to be my favorite class when they allowed all kinds of options, BBC, SBC, Hemi and more. It was a cool class before NHRA started adding weight to everything that won other than the standard combination.

Like him or not you have to admit he did good first time out. Time will tell if it is skill or luck. Same for Madison Payne? Good to see her get first win yet all the talk is about the runner up. Who is she? Had not heard of her before. Maybe Jay Payne's daughter?

maybe he getting ready to slide his bride out of her ride.

ep-i dont care what he does. more power to him.

Well, I wish him a long and happy marriage, but Leah has had more last names than Angelle S(insert the rest here). If she breaks his heart, he'll sell everything for pennies on the dollar/same day.

Madison and Toby Payne are Jay and Shelly's kids. Great kids by the way and congrats to Madison on her win.

quote:

Originally posted by Curly1:
Not bad at all for Madison Payne and Tony Stewart.

Only thing I wish they gave more coverage to alcohol classes or regular basis and not just because of Tony Stewart.

IF never competed in alcohol class you may not know this. Alcohol class has always been the shyt on class. With cars RUNNING 270 MPH at a cost of 300 per shot AND ARE SPORTSMAN CLASS. If any class' will get a qualifying round pulled it will be alcohol class. Ye I know all sportsman class' get shafted. Probably a common consensus in all class' that they are the shyt on class.LOL After being involved in some shape or another with alcohol cars for 30 years I can tell this has never c hanged regardless the organization you are running for.

quote:

Originally posted by Roger McGinnis:
Well, I wish him a long and happy marriage, but Leah has had more last names than Angelle S(insert the rest here). If she breaks his heart, he'll sell everything for pennies on the dollar/same day.

As long as he flips the bill(his money or other) to keep her on track she will be there.This from few of her former crew members.

quote:

Originally posted by wideopen231:
IF never competed in alcohol class you may not know this. Alcohol class has always been the shyt on class. With cars RUNNING 270 MPH at a cost of 300 per shot AND ARE SPORTSMAN CLASS. If any class' will get a qualifying round pulled it will be alcohol class. Ye I know all sportsman class' get shafted. Probably a common consensus in all class' that they are the shyt on class.LOL After being involved in some shape or another with alcohol cars for 30 years I can tell this has never c hanged regardless the organization you are running for.

And for that same 30 years this has been known by the competitors on the outset. Can't complain when you sign up knowing.