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Stewart dominates at Michigan

Nancy Schilke - Motorsport.com IROC 25, Race 3 report Brooklyn, MI - Tony Stewart won the 99th IROC race in the series that pits 12 championship caliber drivers from other series in the same equally prepared race car. Over the years, drivers ...

Nancy Schilke - Motorsport.com

IROC 25, Race 3 report

Brooklyn, MI - Tony Stewart won the 99th IROC race in the series that pits 12 championship caliber drivers from other series in the same equally prepared race car. Over the years, drivers from NASCAR Winston Cup, Championship Auto Racing Teams, Indianapolis Racing League, World of Outlaws, Sports Car Club of America Trans-Am, and drivers from the various Endurance series'.

This was the 27th running of the event at MIS - The race record at MIS is 176.910mph by Mark Martin on August 17, 1996 - 35 minutes, 44 seconds. MIS and Daytona have had the most lead changes - 25.

Muliple winners of past Michigan International Speedway (MIS) races are Al Unser Jr (4 wins), Neil Bonnett (3 wins), Geoff Brabham (2 wins) and Dale Earnhardt (2 wins).

NASCAR Winston Cup driver Stewart took the lead on the 3rd lap and blew away the competition. Al Unser Jr. (IRL) was second driving for Scott Goodyear (IRL).

There was a three-way challenge for third position between Bobby Labonte (NASCAR), Kenny Brack (CART) and Eddie Cheever Jr. (IRL). Brack took the position.

"I took the second lap flat out to get around Cheever", stated Stewart. Once in the lead, Stewart found what areas of the track that the car ran best on, then settled and kept an eye on his mirrors to watch for his competition. "I was worried about Bobby Labonte and watched as he passed one car and then another to move into second place," commented Stewart. "I saved my tires by being in the lead while Labonte and the rest were using their tires up."

Al Unser Jr., back in the IROC car subbing for Scott Goodyear, remarked on the change in the IROC cars over the past several years. "This was a wide open race and I was surprised not to make a dent on Stewart. The cars are equally prepared and Jay Signore and staff have done a remarkable job." Remarking on the strengths of Stewart: "Tony is a very versatile driver because he wants to go racing. His experience and ability to adapt to the various cars/series he has driven makes him a great race car driver." "Like me, Tony loves racing!"

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