Tony Stewart didn't miss a beat at Pocono, completing all 200 laps and finishing third. Credit: Autostock

Shoulder not a problem as Stewart finishes third

LONG POND, Pa. -- Tony Stewart's words following the Pocono 500 made it very clear that his shoulder injury is not a problem anymore.

Stewart drove all 500 miles and finished third at Pocono, and he said he could have driven 500 more despite a 14-day-old scapula injury. Stewart, who maintained a normal workload in all three practices this weekend, said the shoulder felt much better when he woke up on Sunday.

Pocono 500 Results Pos. Driver Make 1. Denny Hamlin Chevy 2. Kurt Busch Dodge 3. Tony Stewart Chevy 4. Brian Vickers Chevy 5. Matt Kenseth Ford 6. Greg Biffle Ford 7. Kasey Kahne Dodge 8. Scott Riggs Dodge 9. Jeff Burton Chevy 10. Jimmie Johnson Chevy • Complete results, click here • Standings, click here Top finishersKurt Bucsh, Tony Stewart talk about their days Final lapsDenny Hamlin rolls to the checkered flag at Pocono Raceway Race Rewind - PoconoWatch a condensed version of the Pocono 500! Pocono 500Watch all the highlights from Pocono Sign up for TrackPass now BUY THE NEXTEL i836

"I knew that between [Saturday] and [Sunday] that we were going to get more strength and mobility," Stewart said. "Felt good all day in the car even when it was loose. If this was Dover this week, I'd probably be wore out."

Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs said Stewart's injury was more of a muscle-based ailment, which healed quickly with extensive ice treatments.

Stewart was in severe pain last week at Dover, where he got out of the car after just 39 laps. But his recovery went better than expected, and his weekend at Pocono Raceway went off without a hitch.

Gibbs said that taking it easy at Dover was the key.

"[Stewart] knew enough to take that first week off," Gibbs said. "He has done some tough stuff."

Stewart even ended a month-long slump without a top-five with a third-place finish at Pocono. He spent 165 laps in the top 10 -- more than anyone else besides Kurt Busch -- and he moved from fifth to fourth in the points.

Joe Gibbs Racing plans to take Stewart to Virginia International Raceway on Tuesday to test their car for the June 25 road-course event at Sonoma, lending further credence that Stewart's injury made a remarkable recovery last week.

"I feel really good. I thought I would be a lot worse off than I am right now," Stewart said. "This is as good as a win for me right now."

Last week at Dover, Stewart walked around all weekend with his right hand firmly planted in his pocket, but he vigorously shook hands with Joe Gibbs Racing president J.D. Gibbs on pit road after the race.

"[Joe Gibbs Racing] has been with me eight years and have not given up on me yet," Stewart said. "I don't think a broken bone was gong to cause them to quit on me."