Stewart looks to continue monopoly at Pennzoil 400

HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Tony Stewart's bumpy ride through the politics of NASCAR has done little to hurt his performance on the track, and he'd like to prove that again by winning the Pennzoil 400.

In 1999, Stewart was a record-setting rookie and well on his way to becoming one of the most popular drivers in the Winston Cup series. But he has spent much of the last two seasons hearing boos from the fans.

He has had run-ins with other drivers and the media, and has earned the enmity of NASCAR with both his temper and his reluctance to wear the now-mandated head and neck restraints.

This weekend, however, the biggest question is whether he can remain the only winner of this race.

"There is a lot of pride in that," Stewart said. "It's always great to win an inaugural race, but to win two races in a row and know that you're the only guy in the Cup series to win since it's been there, that's something to hold your head up about.

"But it just makes it that much harder on us this year. It puts a lot of pressure on us to go out and perform again. I guess the odds are against us winning three in a row."

But a loss won't be attributable to lack of concentration, says team owner Joe Gibbs, who is impressed with his driver's ability to shut out the distractions. Stewart has won three times and is a career-best third in the standings -- just 75 points behind Ricky Rudd with three races remaining.

"Tony's problems have affected all of us, but somehow, he has managed to stay focused on business when it counted," said Gibbs, who sometimes seems bewildered by Stewart's words and actions. "The guys on the team are completely with Tony because they know he is completely with them.

"Finishing second, or even third, in the points would be a great accomplishment, considering the distractions he and his team have had this season."

Gibbs credits Greg Zipadelli, Stewart's crew chief, with guiding the 30-year-old driver through the obstacle course of a 36-race schedule with all the inherent pressures.

"Zippy has been a big factor in whatever success that team has had," said Gibbs, who also fields a Pontiac for series champion Bobby Labonte. "Tony listens to Zippy more than anyone, and he gets good advice."

Stewart is poised for a strong finish, especially relishing Sunday's race on the 1 1/2-mile oval. Asked what his secret is on the relatively flat Homestead track, Stewart shrugged.

"I've got, not a secret, but a good niche of getting around," he said.

Labonte, a disappointing eighth in the points and with only one victory, also knows his way around Homestead. He has finished second and fourth in his two starts here.

Stewart credits the team's strong showing at Homestead to the sharing of information between Zipadelli and Jimmy Makar, Labonte's crew chief.

"Those guys talk to each other all the time," Stewart said. "I don't think there are any secrets, and Bobby and I both get the benefit of the best information from each car. At Homestead, they really seem to know how to get the best out of the cars."