NHRA Gatornationals and Nascar Ruoff Mortgage 500
THE THIRTEENTH OF March was a big day for Indiana’s allamerican racing hero turned team owner, Tony Stewart.
Down in Gainesville, Florida, Funny Car racer Matt Hagan delivered the three-time Nascar and 1997 Indycar champion his maiden NHRA drag racing victory as a team owner. Then about half an hour later, Tony Stewart Racing had another victory to celebrate. Over in Phoenix, Arizona, Nascar Cup Series sophomore Chase Briscoe landed his first premier-tier stock car victory, and in style, leading for 101 laps in his Ford and holding on through two restarts in the final 20 to conquer the catchily titled Ruoff Mortgage 500.
Stewart videoed in from Gainesville to congratulate the 27-year-old. “My dad [Kevin] raced against Tony Stewart in sprint cars,” said Briscoe. “I was a diehard Tony Stewart fan growing up, so for me to add my name to the list of guys that have got the #14 car to the victory lane is definitely special for me.”