By now it is obvious to our readers; I picked the wrong person to be the 2011 Sprint Cup Champion.  I went with the safe choice for the win as I though that Stewart had used up all his luck just to get to the point of racing for the final win at Homestead.  I actually like Tony Stewart better than Edwards as a driver, so this is an easy concession for me.

But what a remarkable means to an end was the 2011 season.  I know the odds makers had the #14 entry listed as a far long shot as he had a mediocre season with no wins; 19 top ten finishes and only 9 top five placements which gave him just enough points to get into the chase as the number 12 seed.  Even Tony admitted that he probably did not deserve to be racing for the championship due to his less than stellar season.

But good race teams do not give up before the checker flag and once the chase started the Stewart-Haas team came to life with their first win of the season at Chicago, followed up with a subsequent victory at Loudon on the following week.  Two more victories would put Tony in a deadlock with Edwards heading into the final three season weeks.

By now Tony could see that he in fact was a legitimate contender and he got the old Tony Stewart swagger back antagonizing Carl in his interviews that he was going to give the #99 team a run for the money and they better “be worried” in Tony’s words.

With only four points between the two teams they met for the final clash in southern Florida.  This would be the best contest for the championship in many years if something catastrophic would not happen to either driver.  The green fell and the started next to each other as rain had cancelled qualifying. 

And race they did including Tony clawing and fighting back to the front several times due to a few missteps along the way and Carl trying not to lose sight of the leader without getting in trouble. When the long day of racing was over they finished first and second, in a race that could not have been scripted to end with so much excitement.  Both drivers were exhausted as they gave their all to win the 2011 trophy.

I know Tony Stewart will serve the series well as the 2011 Sprint Cup champion, and we wish him good luck in representing the series. This was one of the biggest comebacks we have ever witnessed.

Racing to the Checkers
Jim

P.S.:  We will see everyone at the Mid American 2011 banquet on Jan 14 at Wis Dells where another champion James Swan will be crowned.