BREAKING NEWS: Tony Stewart could make start at Thunder Road in June
Tony Stewart could be competing in a Late Model event at storied Thunder Road International Speedbowl this season.
Stewart has been invited to compete in the Governor’s Cup 150, a non-points race for the American-Canadian Tour at Thunder Road on Thursday, June 25. The Lenox Industrial Tools 301 weekend at New Hampshire Motor Speedway kicks off the next day.
"No comment," was what ACT president Tom Curley said when asked about a possible Stewart appearance on the date. He would neither confirm nor deny any discussions.
However, a spokesperson for Stewart, who has repeatedly discussed his love of Thunder Road on a Sirius satellite radio show of his, did say that Stewart had plenty of options surrounding that NASCAR Sprint Cup Series weekend in New England.
"Basically, it’s looking like Tony will be at an appearance somewhere in the days leading into the June New Hampshire race weekend, which is about the only time he could get to Thunder Road," Mike Arning, Stewart’s public relations guru, wrote in an E-mail.
Arning also said that an "offer has been extended" to Stewart on behalf of Thunder Road. Sources have also confirmed that both Curley and Ken Squier, who co-own Thunder Road, have had several discussions with Stewart to try and lure him to the facility.
Previously, it was difficult for Stewart to make on-track appearances. His contract with Joe Gibbs Racing, where he won two Cup Series titles, limited the amount of extracurricular racing he could participate in. Now, though, Stewart has his own team – Stewart Haas Racing – and is likely free to pick and choose the short track events which appeal to him.
This year, Thunder Road is celebrating its 50th anniversary and the track is expected to pull out all the stops to make the celebration a memorable one. Having Stewart compete on the high-banked quarter-mile would certainly fit that bill.
All Curley would offer about a possible Stewart appearance was this: "We have a lot of exciting things happening this year."
It must suck to be a Pro Stock supporter these days!!
From TB:
Ladies and gentlemen, I present the return of Andy B...
Posted by: Andy B | 14 January 2009 at 09:58 AM
Andy B you LIVE! Email me sometime won't ya?
Posted by: Gene | 14 January 2009 at 11:24 AM
Nice scoop Travis!
A couple of thoughts on this....
1 - I'm buying this story. T-Road races on Thursday's so it's a natural fit for "cuppers" that like to race at other places (Kenny Schrader has done it). Also Stewart may be doing a bunch of "public appearances" this coming year to help himself with souvenier sales. He may need to "re-brand" himself. He's not the "Home Depot guy" anymore.
2 - If he actually won the race and qualified for the ACT/NHIS Invitational would he race in that race in Sept. Bet he would!
Posted by: Kevin F | 14 January 2009 at 02:14 PM
This would be awesome!
ANDY... Glad to see you are still alive... Come back to Outsidegroove.com and help me support Thunder Road and Tom.
From TB:
Or, on a completely unbiased note, you could just stay here with GWC, Andy, instead of going to another racing Web site.
Posted by: Tom Curley Fan | 14 January 2009 at 07:15 PM
Welcome back Andy!
Tony Stewart at Thunder Road!!!
The place would be PACKED!!!!
Posted by: Tom Curley Fan | 14 January 2009 at 07:19 PM
I was already about 90% sure I would be heading over the hills for this NHMS qualifier in June, but this news/rumor cements it for me. I will definitely be there for this one.
Posted by: Tristan | 15 January 2009 at 07:50 PM