23 Days in August: No. 22, Tony Stewart, 1999 The Home Depot Dallara/Oldsmobile

If you joined us for 30 Days in May earlier this year, you’ll see some familiar faces from that countdown. We’ve also added some new entries for 23 Days in August. So let’s celebrate some notable drivers and cars from the glorious past of the Indianapolis 500!

 

Photo credit: Indianapolis Motor Speedway photo

Tony Stewart was a busy man in May 1999, splitting his time between Indianapolis
Motor Speedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway. After qualifying for the
Indianapolis 500, he had to quickly fly to North Carolina for his NASCAR
commitments. He presumably had to return later for his official qualifying photo,
which was taken at the end of pit lane.

23 Days in August: No. 22, Tony Stewart, 1999 The Home Depot Dallara/Oldsmobile. Tony Stewart was the first homegrown star of the Indy Racing League. His pedigree was perfect: An Indiana native who won USAC national titles in Midgets, Sprints and Silver Crown cars (all in the same season!) who proved immediately adept at driving Indy cars, too, winning races and a championship in those as well.

After running in the IRL from 1996 to 1998, Stewart became a full-time NASCAR driver, appearing in the 500 just two more times (1999 and 2001). Stewart was fast right off the bat in stock cars, too, and finished his NASCAR career with three Cup titles and two wins in the Brickyard 400.

In the 1999 Indianapolis 500, Stewart finished ninth, four laps down to winner Kenny Brack. But Stewart’s workday was just beginning, because he flew from Indianapolis to Charlotte, North Carolina, to compete in the 600-mile NASCAR race that night and finished an impressive fourth.