Budweiser Shootout Car – Chassis No. 73:
This car debuted in the 2003 Budweiser Shootout at Daytona after testing there Jan. 7-9. It went on to serve as a backup throughout the rest of the season before getting the call to start its first point-paying race in 2004 at the spring Talladega race. There, it led three times for six laps and was in contention for the win before a late race spin relegated it to a 22nd place finish. The July race at Daytona marked its third career start, where a savvy two-tire pit strategy during the team’s last pit stop put it in the lead for 12 laps. But it succumbed to drafting Hendrick Motorsports teammates Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson before eventually finishing fifth. It again vied for the lead in the closing laps of the fall Talladega race – its fourth career start – before finishing sixth.
Budweiser Shootout Notes of Interest:
Stewart is a two-time Budweiser Shootout winner, having won the non-point race in 2001 and 2002.
Stewart is one of only three drivers to have won two straight Budweiser Shootouts. They are…
Tony Stewart – 2001 & 2002
Ken Schrader – 1989 & 1990
Neil Bonnett – 1983 & 1984
The driver with the most Budweiser Shootout victories is the late Dale Earnhardt with six. Stewart beat Earnhardt to win his first Budweiser Shootout in 2001.
Stewart has only one Budweiser Shootout finish outside of the top-seven. He finished 15th in the 2003 race.
