Tony Stewart scored his fourth consecutive top-five finish. Credit: Autostock

Stewart ends rough weekend with strong run

JOLIET, Ill. -- It took nearly half of the 2005 season, but Tony Stewart says Joe Gibbs Racing finally has a downforce package that is equal to the ones displayed by Roush Racing and Hendrick Motorsports.

The No. 20 Chevrolet did not lead a lap Sunday. Credit: Autostock

USG SHEETROCK 400 •   Unofficial Results •   Unofficial Standings Final lapsJeff Gordon wrecks and Junior makes a late pass for the lead Waltrip wrecksMichael joins the list of drivers who have hit the wall More tire issuesSadler blows a tire and hits the wall in the tri-oval Kasey in the wallKahne slows and gets punted into the wall by McMurray Feeling downCarl Edwards cuts a tire and hits the wall hard Sign up for TrackPass now BUY YOUR NEXTEL DRIVER PHONE

Stewart didn't lead a lap at Chicagoland, but he finished fifth in a back-up car in the USG Sheetrock 400, remarkable considering he was banged up on Friday in a practice crash.

Stewart was in considerable discomfort for every one of the 267 laps Sunday, but his Chevrolet handled beautifully, and he scored his fourth top-five finish in a row. It is his longest such streak since 2003.

Still, Stewart was overruled on the final round of pit stops with 22 laps left. Stewart wanted to stay out on old tires, but crew chief Greg Zipadelli called for four fresh ones.

Matt Kenseth, who had dominated the event, also took four and ended up finishing second. Three of the top five finishers took just two tires.

"If we had stayed out like I wanted to, we would have won the race," Stewart said. "I think [Zipadelli] knew I was frustrated with the decision on the pit stop."

Still, Stewart wasn't upset.

"It's what-if syndrome. We did what we thought was right," Stewart said. "If we had stayed out, maybe a win, but that is why they call it gambling."

Stewart was clearly pumped by the team's performance at Chicago, which is a medium-banked 1.5-mile track.

He dominated at Michigan -- a track with similar banking -- and says the team has improved dramatically on the 1.5-milers, where the team struggled earlier this season.

NASCAR shortened spoilers before the 2005 season, and Roush Racing and Hendrick Motorsports combined to win nine of the first 10 races.

Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s win on Sunday was the first time all season a non-Roush or Hendrick car had won on a 1.5-mile track.

"This was a very key weekend for us to back up our performance at Michigan," Stewart said. "I think we have showed that we have caught up to the Roush and the Hendrick teams a little bit."

Stewart knows that downforce performance will be the key for the Chase for the Nextel Cup. Stewart is third in the standings and already looking toward a second Cup championship, and he says downforce performance will be key.

"Hopefully it'll solidify our name of two or three that have a shot of winning this thing at the end of the year," Stewart said.