‘Smoke’ after the emotional win: ‘Today’s been my entire life’
Tony Stewart knew what the fans wanted.
The Columbus, Indiana, native had just crossed the start-finish line to win the coveted 2005 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, his first win at his hometown track. A roar from full grandstands greeted him, chanting “Tony! Tony!” in unison.
And after a day like today, a jubilant Stewart wasn’t one to disappoint.
Following his victory lap around the storied race track, Stewart stopped just short of the flag stand where the iconic bricks lay, climbed out of his No. 20 Chevrolet and strode over to the catch fence. Then, “Smoke” — along with his crew — began to climb the catch fence, joining the fans in a long-awaited celebration.
“I wish I could put into words,” an exhausted but excited Stewart said after his fence climb, as he lay on the front stretch wall. “Today’s been my entire life.”
Indianapolis was one of the races Stewart had circled on his schedule for quite some time. Not only was it his hometown track, but it was also a track where his hero — driver A.J. Foyt — had dominated with four Indianapolis 500 wins. Stewart’s 2005 win at Indianapolis put him further ahead in the championship point standings and ultimately led to him earning the 2005 Cup championship.
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But that would come later in the season. On that August day in 2005, it was all about Stewart, Indianapolis and a famous line of bricks.
