The Time in 1999 When America s Racer Tony Stewart Figured It Out in NASCAR Cup
Stewart s win at Richmond on September 11, 1999, was his first of 49 in the NASCAR Cup Series.
By Al Pearce Racing Photo ArchivesGetty Images
Most of Tony Stewart’s fame came during 22 years in stock cars, but he actually began winning almost immediately as an Indiana pre-teen in go-karts and quarter-midgets.
The first of Stewart s 49 Cup victories came in just his 25th start, among the quickest by a NASCAR rookie in recent history. It came on September 11, 1999, at the ¾-mile Richmond Raceway
Later in the fall, Stewart won back-to-back at Phoenix and Homestead to set a record for rookie victories.