Tony Home Again at IMS Hall of Fame Museum
Written by Allan Brewer · July 5, 2006
Native son Tony Stewart visits Indiana to inaugurate a display of his cars and memorabilia at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Reigning Brickyard 400 Champ and Hoosier hero Tony Stewart showed off his new “Champions’ Ring” as he personally oversaw the opening of a special display of items from his racing career in a tribute that showcases his achievements at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum.
Stewart, a lifelong resident of nearby Columbus, accepted his 2005 Brickyard 400 race winner’s ring from IMS President and Chief Operating Officer Joie Chitwood during a thirty minute ceremony Wednesday.
Two-time NASCAR champion Stewart also helped unveil a commemorative piece of watercolor artwork by motorsports artist Sam Bass that Bass has donated to the Hall of Fame Museum.
The artwork chronicles Stewart’s heartfelt post-race celebration following his first career victory at the Speedway, including his Helio-like “Spiderman” climb of the catch-fence along the front straight of the famous raceway and the traditional “Kissing of the Bricks” at the start/finish line.
The Museum today officially opened an exhibit featuring five of Tony Stewart’s cars and driving paraphernalia which played a significant role in his rise from short-track speedster to NASCAR champion. The display of Stewart’s items, which are his own personal collectibles gathered by him over the years, is as unique as the owner in that they have never before been offered for public viewing. The show is scheduled to remain on site at the Hall of Fame Museum until June of 2007.
Speaking of the opening, Stewart praised the Hall of Fame Museum and the giant 2.5 mile raceway just outside its doors. “It’s just a huge honor,” Stewart said. “To have visited that museum so many times and seen so many pieces of history, and to have that exhibit dedicated to me is an honor. I don’t know how else to put it.
“There have been a lot of winners (at IMS), and they’ve never had an exhibit like this, so it basically makes me speechless. It’s cool to see all these cars and see them all together again for the first time in a long time. It brings back a lot of cool memories of good times in my career. To see those cars sitting next to the cars of A.J. Foyt and so many other great winners is incredible.”
The cars driven by Stewart which are on display are:
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