Tony Stewart

Sporting News, The, August 5, 2005

If, as Tony Stewart says, he's too old and fat to be climbing fences but does it anyway, what would he be doing if he were young and trim, hurdling them? We'll never know, and we'll have to be content with enjoying Stewart's new tradition after wins.

He first scaled the fence after winning at Daytona in early July. He did it again after winning at New Hampshire International Speedway. That time, he took the stairs down. The easy way. Everything he does looks easy lately. None of it is.

With three wins and no finish worse than seventh in the last six races. Stewart is the hottest driver in the NASCAR Nextel Cup series as the Chase for the NASCAR Nextel Cup approaches. Will his Joe Gibbs Racing team be good enough to win a second title? He'll climb that fence when he gets to it

SPORTING NEWS editors choose one player each month whose performance demonstrates the "Character of a Champion."