Menard aims to halt Stewart’s shot at ‘racing doubleheader’

Friday, April 9, 1999 | 10:08 a.m.

Tony Stewart plans to become the first driver to compete in the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Winston Cup Coca Cola 600 on the same day and complete all 1,100 miles.

But travel logistics, fatigue and weather are not the only potential roadblocks standing in Stewart's way.

John Menard, Stewart's car owner in the Indy Racing League before Stewart bolted the open-wheel series for the Winston Cup circuit, may throw a wrench into Stewart's plans.

Menard maintains that Stewart still has contractual obligations to drive for him, and expects Stewart to live up to their agreement.

"I had the option on Tony Stewart's (Indy-car) contract, and I exercised it," Menard told the Indianapolis Star/News. "I didn't draw up the contract, Tony's lawyer did."

Stewart, on the other hand, said he is not contractually bound to drive for Menard in the Indy 500.

"There has been some speculation about my eligibility, made by my former car owner," Stewart said in a teleconference call to announce that The Home Depot -- Stewart's Winston Cup sponsor -- also will sponsor his Indy 500 effort.

"We have looked into it and I am free of all obligations (to Menard) and feel I have fulfilled all my obligations to him."

Adding fuel to the controversy is the fact that The Home Depot and Menard's chain of hardware and lumber stores are fierce competitors.

Stewart will drive a Dallara/Aurora that he and former Menard crew chief Larry Curry own under the Tri-Star Racing banner. Stewart and Curry fielded a car for Gualter Salles in the season-opening IRL race at Orlando.

Although two other drivers have attempted to run both the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca Cola 600 on the same day, neither were able to complete all 1,100 miles. John Andretti ran both races in 1994 but was involved in an accident 220 laps into the NASCAR race. Robby Gordon attempted the feat in 1997, but rain forced a two-day postponement of the Indy 500.

"I grew up in Indiana and the Indy 500 is in my blood," Stewart said. "Winning Indy has been a dream for me since I first went to the Speedway with my Dad when I was five years old. It means the world to me to have Home Depot behind me on this one. We make a good team in Winston Cup (and) we'll make a good team at Indy."

Stewart, the 1997 IRL champion, ran three Indy 500s during his stint in the upstart series. He qualified on the front row in the 1996 race, the same year he won Rookie of the Year honors, but engine problems caused him to bow out early after leading for 44 laps.

He was back on the front row again in 1997 and this time recorded his best Indy 500 finish, ending up fifth after leading 64 laps. In 1998, Stewart started fourth on the grid, but again, engine problems forced him to drop out of the race on the 22nd lap.

Because of his commitments to Joe Gibbs' Winston Cup team, Stewart said he will not have the opportunity to test the car prior to the race or qualify for the Indy 500 on Pole Day (May 22).

"We're going to have to do this from a standpoint where we have no testing and Sunday (May 23) will be the only day we have to qualify," Stewart said. "While everybody else will be worried about qualifying setups, we'll work on our race setup.

"With my knowledge, and Larry's knowledge, and our experience and our ability to communicate with each other ... I think we'll be fine without having to test. I think we have the combination we need to win the Indianapolis 500."

Stewart added that he and Curry did take part in a test at Indianapolis Motor Speedway at the end of the 1998 IRL season, and said the information they gathered in that test will be helpful next month.

Gibbs, who owns the No. 20 Home Depot Pontiac that Stewart drives on the Winston Cup circuit, said he has no problems with Stewart dividing his attention between the two series next month.

"This is something we talked about when Tony first came to Winston Cup," Gibbs said. "I want what's best, always, for our sponsor and for our driver.

"Anything Home Depot would sign off on is OK with us. This is an unusual opportunity for Tony and we're going to support him in every way we can."