Shane Stewart Coming Out Of Sprint Car Retirement For The Eldora Million
Nicole Signor Creative Photo from Shane Stewart’s impressive win at Williams Grove Speedway on July 25, 2020 during the Summer Nationals.
Official Source: FloRacing.com
Shane Stewart has been quite busy since announcing his retirement from full-time Sprint Car racing at the end of 2020. He's been owning and operating Port City Raceway in Tulsa, Oklahoma for a few years now. But just like he did in 2021 when he teamed up with Trackhouse Racing and Indy Race Parts to run the Knoxville Nationals, Stewart is back to run a big race. And this time, the race pays one million dollars to win.
Stewart will team up with Bernie Stuebgen of Indy Race Parts to compete in the Eldora Million on July 12-13 at the legendary Eldora Speedway. The car, which was previously driven by Cory Eliason and Buddy Kofoid this season, has been a consistent contender at big races across the country in 2023. Now, the driver's seat will be filled with a veteran that has over 100 Winged Sprint Car wins to his name.
"I'm excited to get behind the wheel of the 71 again! It’s been just a minute, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to run at Eldora for the million to win race," Stewart said. "Such a fantastic opportunity for all of us in the Sprint Car world. Hats off to Tony (Stewart) and his gang for putting on such a prestigious event and I am thankful that I will be a part of it.
"As for Bernie and Betsy, they have become family to myself and Jenn, I can’t thank them enough for giving me this opportunity. I hesitated when Bernie first asked me, because of my schedule. Port City Raceway is my main focus. I'm not nervous at all. I used to be when driving was the way I fed my family, It's a little different now."
Stewart's last racing start came behind the wheel of a Micro Sprint at Port City Raceway in March. Prior to that race, Stewart competed in the Tulsa Shootout last December, making an A-Main appearance in the Winged Outlaw Class. In 2021, he finished 14th in the Knoxville Nationals. In 2015, Stewart won one of the biggest races of his career, scoring the $50,000 payday in the 32nd Annual Kings Royal at Eldora Speedway.
"I won several Outlaw Races and All Star races at Eldora. Won the Knight Before The Kings Royal and won an Ohio Sprint Speedweek race there the year we won the week-long series title. It's been one of my favorite tracks."
The team will shake the car down this week at Knoxville Raceway as a tune-up for the Eldora Million. At this time, no plans have been discussed about running races after the Eldora Million.
Shane Stewart & Bernie Stuebgen’s last win together came during night 2 of the World of Outlaws Series Summer Nationals in July 2020. The team also broke an 18 year standing a one lap track record with a 16.111 second lap, on night 1 of the Summer Nationals in 2020,
Follow Indy Race Parts on social media:
Indy Race Parts / Bernie Stuebgen on Facebook and Twitter, IndyRaceParts.com
Follow Shane Stewart on social media:
Shane Stewart on Facebook, Twitter, ShaneStewart.com
About Eldora Speedway:
The World’s Greatest Dirt Track. Since carved from a cornfield in the natural amphitheater that existed between the Eldora Ballroom and the Wabash River by bandleader Earl Baltes in 1954, Eldora Speedway has grown to be a frontrunner in motorsports growth and stability. Baltes chose to sell the legendary high-banked clay oval to motorsports entrepreneur and NASCAR, IndyCar and USAC champion Tony Stewart in 2004. Eldora hosts the biggest events in short-track racing including the Dirt Late Model Dream, Kings Royal and World 100.
