Friday, Aug. 5, 2005 | 10:45 a.m.
INDIANAPOLIS -- Tony Stewart could assume the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series points lead with a victory in Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard, but that's not what's motivating him this weekend.
Stewart, an Indiana native who recently moved back into his childhood home near the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, admitted that he is "consumed" by winning at the famed Brickyard. Stewart, 34, was winless in five Indianapolis 500 starts as an open-wheel driver and is 0-for-6 in the Brickyard 400.
"Any kid that's ever grown up in Indiana knows what the Indianapolis Motor Speedway means," Stewart said. "Obviously, we're talking about a different style of car with the Cup cars versus the IndyCars, but it's definitely my biggest race of the year; it always has been (and) it probably always will be.
"At the same time, we still have to treat it just like another race and go through the motions just like another race and not let yourself get too consumed up with the emotion of where we're at and what we're doing there."
But that, Stewart acknowledged, is easier said than done at the cathedral of speed that has hosted auto racing since 1911.
"It's just one of those places that consumes you," Stewart said of the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which has been hosting NASCAR's premier division since 1994. "Indy is just one of those special places. I mean, there's no other track like it, there's no other track shaped like it; it's just a neat atmosphere.
"When you have a track that's got that many years of history, it's hard to not get consumed (by) it."
Although he never has won a race at the Brickyard, his track record there is nothing to be ashamed about. In five Indianapolis 500 starts, Stewart posted three top-10 finishes, including a career-best fifth in 1997. In six NASCAR Cup starts at the track, Stewart has three top-10 finishes and five finishes of 12th or better.
Stewart said he puts added pressure on himself to do well when he goes to Indy, which has made for some pretty stressful weekends in the past. In 2002, for example, Stewart got into a shoving incident with a photographer following the race and later was fined by NASCAR and his sponsor, Home Depot.
"It's not one of those situations where if I never win there, my career's not going to be complete," Stewart said. "But because it is home ... that's a very important race.
"I wish I could say I had a lot of fun there. Normally, it's one of my more miserable weekends of the year, but I think it's because we put so much pressure on ourselves to do well. It's not one of those tracks we go to twice a year; you get one shot a year at it. When it's over, it's over. If you didn't get the result you wanted, you have to wait 365 days to try it again."
For at least this weekend, anyway, Stewart likely will push the points race to the back of his mind. He has won three of the past five races and trails Jimmie Johnson by 66 points with five races remaining in NASCAR's "regular season."
Stewart certainly won't be the only driver in the field Sunday who will have a little added motivation to win. Jeff Gordon earned his fourth Brickyard 400 victory last year and will attempt to become the first five-time winner in the 95-year history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Last year, Gordon's fourth Brickyard 400 title tied him with four-time Indy 500 winners A. J. Foyt, Al Unser and Rick Mears. In June, Michael Schumacher won his fourth Formula One U.S. Grand Prix title at Indianapolis.
"To get number four last year was a great feat for this DuPont team," Gordon said. "It was one of the most exciting victories I've ever had. I grew up in nearby Pittsboro watching the Indy 500, and I recognize the difference between that race, the Brickyard 400 and the USGP.
"It's great to be compared to and mentioned in the same sentence as A.J., Unser, Mears and Schumacher, but it's three different types of races under different circumstances."
Despite three victories this season, Gordon comes to Indianapolis ranked 15th in points. Gordon must gain five positions in the points during the next six races to qualify for the "Chase for the Nextel Cup."
Two local drivers, Las Vegas natives Kurt and Kyle Busch, will start Sunday's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard. Kurt Busch will be making his fifth start in the race and boasts a top finish of fifth in 2001, his rookie year. Kyle Busch, a rookie, will be making his first start at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
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