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Offseason Vital for Tony Stewart

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There was a lot to be seen in Tony Stewart‘s eyes during Kevin Harvick‘s celebration after winning NASCAR‘s Chase for the Sprint Cup title. Stewart is a part owner of Harvick’s car as well as his own, Kurt Busch‘s and Danica Patrick‘s. From that aspect, there was joy both for Stewart-Haas racing and his friend Harvick, who’d just won his first championship.

There was also relief. Stewart had just completed one of the most trying seasons of his career which was marred by the tragic and well-documented accident in a sprint car race on Aug. 9 that claimed the life of Kevin Ward. It had also not been a very successful season for Stewart on the track with just six top fives and no wins.

So knowing Stewart, who has earned a reputation as one of the most competitive, hard-nosed and talented drivers in the circuit, one would have expected a little fire if not even jealousy to be present as well. But there was none to be found.

That alone has to worry Stewart fans as the cold days of NASCAR’s offseason settle in. That drive – that willingness to stick the nose of his No. 14 where very few other drivers had the guts to go — that’s what made Stewart one of the best and helped propel him to three Sprint Cup championships.

It’s hard for anyone to blame Stewart for losing a little bit of that edge in the closing weeks of the season after the accident with Ward, especially with Stewart out of the Chase. It could be seen on the track as well as heard in his press conferences.

He had just one top 10 after missing the race at Watkins Glen in the aftermath of the incident, which came in a fourth place showing at Martinsville in the fourth-to-last race of the year. Though that finish was followed by a solid 11th place showing at Texas, Stewart finished 20th and dead last in the final two races heading into an uncertain offseason. The question is, can Stewart regain his menacing persona over the offseason?

After what he went through few could blame Stewart if he was never the same again. But if he is to regain the winning form of past years, Stewart will have to find a way to put this year behind him over the next few months. If time heals all wounds, Stewart fans should hope that from now until Feb. 22 will be enough for the man they call “Smoke.”

Ryan Pritt is a NASCAR writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on twitter @RPritt, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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