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NASCAR Sprint-Cup Series
MILLER: Stewart, Foyt Hold Much In Common
IndyCar legend A.J. Foyt was 2011 Sprint Cup champion Tony Stewart's childhood hero...
Robin Miller  |  Posted November 22, 2011   Indianapolis, IN
Tony Stewart (Left) stands with childhood hero A.J. Foyt (Right) at Daytona International Speedway in February 2009. (Photo: LAT Photographic)
He’s never held hands with his girlfriend during the national anthem and he doesn’t cry if he wins a race or a championship. He’d rather be in a sprint car on a dirt track than on the beach in Hawaii. His idea of a fun night out is running the water truck at Eldora Speedway.

Tony Stewart doesn’t have much in common with today’s race driver because he’s stuck in the ‘60s.

He could have hung with A.J., Parnelli, Herk, Mario, Jud, Rutherford and Branson because he’s got what they had: That relentless hunger to win and that joy of running anything with four wheels.

Had Stew not conquered NASCAR, he’d still be driving for 40 percent in USAC midgets and sprints and might be just as happy.

For anybody who knows him, there’s little doubt he loves running the Chili Bowl, a World of Outlaws show or a modified more than a stock car. NASCAR is his means to an end and his success there has made him rich beyond the dreams of the scrawny kid who played pool at Kelly’s Pub every night back in the early ‘90s.

He drives stock cars because it pays the bills and affords him the wealth to truly enjoy life: Owning tracks, teams and driving whatever and wherever he pleases.

The car he drove so splendidly the past couple months to capture his third NASCAR title proudly carries the number (14) of the guy he emulates most.

But, make no mistake, A.J. Foyt and Stewart share a lot more than a car number.

They can be obstinate, generous, petulant, charming and domineering within the same one-hour period. They have terrible diets. They hate to lose. They love giving the needle. They answer to no one. They can drive anything. They were always happiest in the car.

And they both kicked everybody’s ass in their own cars.

“I would say Tony is the only one of today’s boys who could have done it back then and held his own,” responded Foyt when asked if the former USAC champion could have cut it in the 1960s.

“I think he would have fit in that era because he loves to race and he doesn’t do it just for the money. And I’m not saying that because we’re friends; he’s got the talent and desire you needed in the ‘60s.”

Indy’s first four-time winner wasn’t trying to demean today’s racers, just agreeing it’s a different breed and the 40-year-old veteran from Columbus is a throwback.

“I used to tell Tony he couldn’t have run close to me and Parnelli but I was just kidding him because you really can’t compare,” said the only man to have won LeMans, Daytona and Indianapolis. “Things are so much different today that it’s hard to say if we could have beat them or they could have beat us.

“But I’ve always liked Tony because he’ll drive anything.”

Foyt admitted he watched every lap of last Sunday’s finale at Homestead, Fla., and explained why Stewart’s performance translates too well with the glory days.

“He raced every lap the other day and he never gave up,” said A.J. “That’s how I was and that’s how we raced back then. I was very proud of him.”

Standing in victory lane on Sunday night following his fifth win of the Chase, Stew didn’t look surprised or sound shocked. He expected it. Just like Foyt always did.

Robin Miller brings 40 years of experience to his role as SPEED.com's senior open-wheel reporter, and serves as a frequent contributor to SPEED Center and Wind Tunnel with Dave Despain.
The opinions reflected herein are solely those of the above commentator and are not necessarily those of SPEED.com, FOX, NewsCorp, or SPEED
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