Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Tony Stewart won’t make return visit to Indy 500

Wednesday, April 3, 2002 | 11:39 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

It now looks as if Robby Gordon will be the only driver who will attempt to compete in both the Indianapolis 500 and the NASCAR Winston Cup Coca-Cola 600 on May 26.

Tony Stewart this week announced that he would not attempt to run both races for the third time since 1999. Last year, Stewart finished sixth at Indy with Chip Ganassi Racing and third in the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway with Joe Gibbs Racing.

Stewart, the 1997 Indy Racing League champion, said his obligations to Joe Gibbs' Winston Cup effort took precedence over his desire to return to Indy.

"Running Indy again is something I've put a lot of thought into, but when it came right down to it, the long-term goal of winning the Winston Cup championship won out," Stewart, who is 12th in Winston Cup points, said.

"This decision allows our Home Depot (Winston Cup) team to focus on not only the championship, but on the Coca-Cola 600 as well."

By virtue of his fifth-place finish last month in the UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Stewart will be eligible for the $1 million Winston "No Bull 5" bonus from series sponsor R.J. Reynolds if he wins the 600-mile race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

"We're in the No Bull 5, and that means a $1 million bonus if we win," Stewart said. "By not running Indy, we'll start where we'll qualify and not at the back of the field. All in all, it just feels like the right thing to do."

Stewart also ran both the Indy 500 and the Winston Cup race in 1999 and finished ninth at Indy and fourth in the Winston Cup race.

Penske Racing joins Kelley Racing as the first two teams to sign with Toyota for the manufacturer's inaugural season in the IRL.

"It's a historic day as we enter a partnership with Penske Racing -- the most successful team in open-wheel racing history," Jim Aust, Toyota vice president of motor sports, said. "It's great to partner with the 11-time Indy 500 winners."

Pittman said he would compete in the World of Outlaws Gumout Series event Thursday night at Lone Star Speedway and the Pennzoil World of Outlaws races at Texas Motor Speedway Friday and Saturday.

Pittman suffered a compressed fracture of the T-4 vertebrae during time trials March 9th at Hollywood Hills Speedway in San Felipe Pueblo, N.M.

"(The doctors) really wanted me to sit out six weeks," Pittman said. "After three weeks, it was at my own discretion. At this rate, it will be four and then we'll sit out another week.

"When we come back to Talladega (April 19-20), that will be my sixth week."

Lasoski leads Mark Kinser by eight points and Steve Kinser by 31 points going into this weekend's races at Texas Motor Speedway.