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Tony Stewart's final season started on the bench. But in a resurgence befitting a three-time Sprint Cup Series champion, he's back in the hunt for a berth in the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Stewart missed the first eight races of 2016 with a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra following an ATV accident in California in late January. Brian Vickers (Daytona, Las Vegas, Fontana, Martinsville and Texas) and Ty Dillon (Atlanta, Phoenix and Bristol) filled in behind the wheel of Stewart's car.
With a Chase waiver, a win at Sonoma and a good chance at moving into the top 30 in points by the end of the regular season, we track Stewart's final season as a full-time Sprint Cup Series driver:
Late wreck foils Stewart's final visit to Daytona
Daytona International Speedway just wasn't kind to Tony Stewart in his final season. He missed his last shot at winning the Daytona 500 as a full-time driver, and he wrecked late in the Coke Zero 400 powered by Coca-Cola. | Read more | 'Big one' takes out big names
Road course king rules again
Tony Stewart bumped former teammate Denny Hamlin out of the lead on the final-lap pass at Sonoma Raceway, achieving the all-important victory required for him to gain a berth in the 2016 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup provided he can finish the regular season in the top 30 in points. | Read more | Bird's-eye view of the pass
Turning the corner
A top-10 finish at Michigan in mid-June started fanning the flames of hope for 'Smoke.' After qualifying well the week before at Pocono but finishing 34th, a seventh-place finish in the FireKeepers Casino 400 gave the No. 14 SHR team exactly what it needed. | Read more | Top 10 boosts Stewart's Chase chances
Just getting started
Tony Stewart scores a 19th-place finish in his return to racing at Richmond and is eager for more action, saying "at 44, I can still outrace a lot of these guys." | Read more | Stewart cuts tire | What move impressed 'Smoke?'
Returning to action
Tony Stewart gets in his NASCAR Sprint Cup Series ride for the first in 2016. Holly Cain provides the full story from Richmond. | Read more | Stewart embraced, supported in return | Stewart revved up for return
Back in the No. 14 Chevrolet
Tony Stewart announces that he will return to the No. 14 Chevrolet at Richmond International Raceway. After months of rehabilitation, "Smoke" prepares to finish off his final season. | Read More | NASCAR grants Chase waiver | Drivers react to return| Co-owner assesses SHR's season so far
Insight into the recovery
At Texas, Tony Stewart provides an update on his recovery from a back injury that has kept him sidelined to start the 2016 season. | Read more | Vickers looks to take advantage of opportunity with SHR
Go behind the scenes with 'Smoke'
Mobil 1 is running a series of ads celebrating Tony Stewart's final season and what he may do for his next chapter. NASCAR.com got to behind the scenes with the making of this campaign. | Read more | 'Smoke' practices his French?
Doctors implementing rehab regimen for Stewart
Stewart-Haas Racing updated Tony Stewart 's back injury and a rehab regimen is being implemented by doctors to hasten the three-time champion's recovery. | Read more | Stewart gives health update
Stewart surprises in Atlanta
Three-time champion Tony Stewart is still rehabbing his back injury but he made a surprise appearance at Atlanta Motor Speedway. | Read more
Stewart breaks silence
Tony Stewart took to Periscope to shed some light on his rehab process, his injury and what happened to him in his accident in the desert. Read more | Stewart calls into FOX pre-500
Vickers to fill in at Daytona
Stewart-Haas Racing has tabbed Brian Vickers to replace the injured Tony Stewart for Daytona Speedweeks. Vickers will run the No. 14 Chevrolet in the Daytona 500 , the Can-Am Duels and Sprint Unlimited. Read more
Stewart sidelined for start of season
Tony Stewart will miss the beginning of the 2016 Sprint Cup Series season, the three-time champ's final full-time season in the sport, due to a back injury sustained in an ATV accident. Read more
Evernham describes accident, evacuation
Former crew chief Ray Evernham accompanied Tony Stewart in a helicopter from the site of his sand dune crash to a hospital. He describes a rather odd landing and other details. Read more
On the scene: Friends describe what happened
Don Prudhomme and Greg Biffle were among those riding in the group that were driving all-terrain vehicles in Arizona with Tony Stewart . Both discuss the incident as well as how drivers spend their time off. Read more
Explaining the severity of the injury
Dr. Jerry Punch, ESPN commentator and a physician, explains what a burst fracture of the L1 vertebra means for Tony Stewart and describes the road to recovery to get back in the No. 14 Chevrolet. Hear what he said
Stewart injury update from Stewart-Haas Racing
Read Thursday's release from Stewart-Haas Racing outlining Tony Stewart 's injuries and current condition. The No. 14 driver is expected to miss the beginning of the season. Read more
Stewart hospitalized with back injury:
Sprint Cup Series driver Tony Stewart was hospitalized with a back injury after an all-terrain vehicle accident on the West Coast. Read more
Stewart to retire from Sprint Cup after '16:
Stewart was at peace with his decision to retire after the 2016 season when he announced his plans in September of 2015. He explained why he was ready to take this step. Read more
Stewart through the years gallery
From his beginnings in racing through the Indy Racing League and three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championships, see classic photos of Stewart in this gallery. See Photos