Toast of Texas: Stewart adds milestone to data

Tony Stewart will commemorate his 400th start at a track -- Texas Motor Speedway -- where he enjoyed one of his more dominant victories.

Through the first 399 starts of his Cup Series career, Stewart has 37 victories. But his win at Texas in November 2006 arguably was his most impressive, as he led 278 of 339 laps. That was the third-highest laps-led total for Stewart in a victory (he led 333 laps at Richmond in September 1999 and 288 at Martinsville in April 2006.

The victory was Stewart's third during that year's Chase -- a playoff he failed to make. He finished the season 11th in points. The following year, the Chase expanded to the top 12 drivers.

Additionally that Texas race, Stewart had a near-perfect Driver Rating of 149.7, an Average Running Position of 1.8, 118 Fastest Laps Run and a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 97.9. That is the highest Driver Rating at Texas since the inception of the Loop Data statistic in 2005 (a span of 10 races).

Here's the list of top ratings at Texas (since 2005):

Texas comes at a good time for the owner/driver. Stewart's 2010 season may not be unfolding exactly as hoped for the two-time champion. Though he has three top-10 finishes through the first seven races, he also has three finishes outside the top 20.

But at Texas, his statistics rank supreme. He owns series-best numbers in overall Driver Rating (106.1) and Average Running Position (8.5). He also has 239 Fastest Laps Run (third-most), a Laps in the Top 15 percentage of 82.9 (second) and is sixth in 328 Quality Passes (passes of cars in the top 15 under green).

Despite the 2010 inconsistency, Stewart sits ninth in the point standings, a familiar spot. In eight of the past nine seasons (including '10), Stewart has been in the top 10 in points after seven races. The only year he was outside the top 10: his championship-winning 2005, when he was 11th after seven races.

Below are Stewart's finishes and Driver Ratings this season: