Stewart came back from his startling three-win rookie of the year campaign and fourth place point finish in 1999 to lead the series in victories with six. While he ended up sixth in the point standings, he and crew chief Greg Zipadelli continued to establish themselves as a potent combination with 12 top-5 and 23 top-10 finishes.

He shook off a slow start to his sophomore season, moving from 13th in points after nine races up into the top-5 before he was ultimately slowed by four DNFs. Stewart swept both of the season's races at Dover and also won at Michigan, New Hampshire, Martinsville and Homestead, which came on the same day that teammate Bobby Labonte clinched the Winston Cup championship.

Stewart's Winston Cup success came without a forecast after he had a spotty, winless record in the Busch Series with Joe Gibbs Racing and Ranier/Walsh Racing. Before that, Stewart's open-wheel record was impeccable, however.

Stewart jumped into the Northern Light Indy Racing Series in 1996, where he won rookie of the year. He also was named Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year before winning the IRL championship in 1997. He completed the arduous Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 double in 1999, finishing ninth and fourth, respectively. The former karting champion made history by winning the USAC Midget, Sprint Car and Silver Crown championships in 1995, one year after he won the USAC national Midget championship.

Source: NOL