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It's not quite the homecoming Tony Stewart expected

Sharing the NASCAR spotlight with Jeff Gordon is nothing new for Tony Stewart.

Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing

Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing

NASCAR Media

Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing, helmet
Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing
Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Race winner Tony Stewart celebrates
Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet
Race winner Tony Stewart celebrates
Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart
Detail of Tony Stewart's Sprint Cup car
Tony Stewart, Stewart-Haas Chevrolet

Since Gordon spent his formative racing years in Indiana and Stewart graduated from the USAC ranks — winning the Triple Crown and the 1997 IndyCar Championship — before moving to stock cars the following season, comparisons have been made between the two for the last two decades. 

Sharing the spotlight

When it was announced on Wednesday that Gordon was returning to racing as a substitute for the sidelined Dale Earnhardt Jr., Stewart says he was more relieved than anything that the focus wouldn’t be entirely on him.

“I had a couple of friends send me messages yesterday and they were furious about it, going ‘oh he’s stealing your thunder,’” Stewart said of Gordon returning to Indianapolis Motor Speedway for Stewart’s last start. “I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ Jeff Gordon is doing us the biggest favor anyone could possibly do this week for me.

“I’m just glad he’s back to be perfectly honest.  I’m sad that Dale, Jr. is not here, but if Dale can’t be here and we know why and we respect why he is not here.  I couldn’t be happier about the one guy that is here in his place.  I’m glad I get to race with him one more time.”

An Indy ace

While Gordon will be the only driver who has competed in all 23 races come Sunday — and holds the track record with five Brickyard 400 wins — Stewartis no slouch at the 2.5-mile track. In 17 starts, he’s completed every lap raced and led 227 circuits. The Columbus, Ind.-native, who grew up an hour away from the track, has two wins (2005, 2007), one pole (2002), seven top fives and 11 top 10s. His average finish of 9.6 is second only to Kyle Larson, who has just two Cup starts at the track. 

Certainly, Gordon’s four NASCAR titles and 93 career wins in 797 starts trumps Stewart’s three Cup championships and 49 victories. No doubt, both drivers, who turn 45 this year, are first-ballot Hall of Famers when their names come up for nomination.

The Gordon/Stewart crossover that could have been

So when Stewart broke his back before the start of the season, it was not surprising that Gordon was asked to fill the No. 14 Chevy at Daytona. Gordon was unable to accept the challenge due to his previous commitment in the TV booth for his FOX Sports. 

Perhaps what’s probably more surprising is Stewart didn’t know Gordon had been asked to sub, particularly since it was Gordon’s invitation that drew Stewartto the desert in the first place.

“I wasn’t (aware),” Stewart said. “But that would have been awesome. That would have probably been one of the coolest things to happen this season if that would have happened, I would have been all for it. 

“It’s the least he could have done, since he broke my back for me. The least he could have done is drive for me. I wasn’t aware of that but that would have been a real cool deal for us.”

Stewart not ruling out a future substitution role for himself

Since SHR does not have an Xfinity team, with Gordon coming out of retirement to assist the Hendrick stable, Stewart said he’d open to exploring a substitute role similar if he’s ever faced with a similar challenge. 

Stewart also acknowledged that he’s more prepared for this race than he’s ever been. He was one of four drivers that performed a two-day Goodyear tire test in April and felt his car drove “really well”. 

Although Stewart is bidding farewell as a participant at his home track, he attempted to shift the attention from sentiment to the task at hand.

“You guys can ask me all you want about how I’m feeling, thinking, whatever, you’re wasting my time and your time because all I care about right now is driving the race car,” Stewart said. “It’s probably the most focussed I’ve been for a race. I’m not amped up. I’m relaxed and focussed and feel good going into it. That’s the way I need to do it.”

What would it mean to Smoke to win his third Brickyard 400?

“It would be alright, I guess, no big deal,” Stewart answered flatly. Then he smiled and replied, “No, it would be cool. Obviously, there are marquee events on the schedule each year and this is one for everybody. The whole series wants to win here.

“Definitely want to win here myself, too, so it would be pretty cool.”

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