As Tony Stewart rides off into retirement this weekend, Classic Rewind pays tribute with one of his three Indy car wins - the 1998 race at Walt Disney World Speedway.
This weekend, one of racing's best drivers will race for the final time and here at Classic Rewind HQ, we felt like we had to pay tribute.
Tony Stewart burst on the Indy car scene in 1996 after winning all three of USAC's national series the year before. Driving for Team Menard, the Indiana native qualified on the front row for his first Indy 500 and started on the pole for the race after the tragic passing of pole sitter Scott Brayton. Stewart would win his first of three Indy car victories later that year at Pikes Peak International Raceway and went on to claim the Indy Racing League title in 1997.
He remains the only driver to claim both INDYCAR and NASCAR championships.
Stewart started defense of his title in 1998 at Walt Disney World Speedway carrying the No. 1 on the Team Menard car. He started on pole after qualifying was rained out. Stewart dominated the first half of the race and was one of five cars left on the lead lap when the final caution fell with about 60 laps to go. Stewart pitted for fuel, then chased down Mark Dismore for the lead.
No poll to vote in next week for Thanskgiving's Classic Rewind, but we'll show you the race you picked from last week's poll then.