Indiana’s Tony Stewart Wins Third NASCAR Title

Monday, November 21, 2011 at 6:29 AM

Tony Stewart celebrates his 3rd Sprint Cup

Championship at the Ford 400 at Homestead

Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida.

Russell LaBounty/Autostock

(Homestead, Fla.) - For the third time in his career, Indiana native Tony Stewart is a NASCAR champion.

The "Rushville Rocket" won Sunday's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway to finish tied in points with Carl Edwards.

Stewart said Sprint Cup Series runner-up Carl Edwards had a message for him after the race.

“He said, ‘Just promise me one thing, that you’re going have fun with this.’ I said, ‘Of all the people you know, buddy, I can promise you you’re not going to have to worry about that. I won’t let you down,’” Stewart said.

Stewart won more races this year, which earned him the tiebreaker and the Sprint Cup championship.

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The native Hoosier had not won a race all year and just barely made the cut for the Chase for the Spring Cup. He then won five of the 10 chase races en route to a championship.

“If this wasn’t an exciting race to watch, and if this wasn’t one of the most exciting chases to watch from a fan standpoint, you’ve got to go to a doctor immediately,” Stewart said after his victory.

Stewart previously won the NASCAR circuit's top title in 2002 and 2005. He becomes the first owner-driver to win the title since the late Alan Kulwicki in 1992.