The Winston Cup generation gap starts here - Uncovering the Past - Brief Article

Auto Racing Digest, Oct-Nov, 2002

DALE JARRETT MAY HAVE BEEN on the cover of our November 1999 issue, but the real story was Tony Stewart ["Quick Learner"], who won three races and finished in the top five 12 times that year, shattering Winston Cup's rookie records and expectations.

At the time, we recognized that as special as Stewart was he was part of a larger trend. In this issue we took a look at up-and-comer Matt Kenseth ["Meet NASCAR's `Other' Star"], who--along with Dale Earnhardt Jr.--was making a lot of noise in the Busch Series.

The focus, however, was on Stewart. Quick success in Busch is one thing, but in Winston Cup it's another matter altogether. Critics who refused to see the longview chortled at Stewart's rookie status--the driver won a "triple crown" of USAC rifles in 1995, ran in the IRL, and was a veteran of the Busch Series. Still, nothing prepared the boys in the garage for this breakthrough season.

When pressed, Stewart was humble about his accomplishments. "I'm not sure I'm on par with these guys," he said, worrying about his consistency.

Still, Stewart couldn't help boasting that he could be as good as anyone in the circuit "if they designed a whole new Winston Cup car tomorrow, and we all started [from scratch]."

In the meantime, Stewart watched and learned from Bobby Labonte. That mentor-apprentice relationship, even if it amounts to merely being in the same garage with a championship contender, is what made Stewart--and makes his followers--so successful right out the gate. Like Stewart said, the experience can't be made up. If everyone started from scratch, the young would succeed. It seems that with the experience--and equipment--of a top team and crew, it's now easier than ever.