2007 Preseason No. 1: Tony Stewart

No. 20 Home Depot Chevy

2007 Spin
It is impossible to predict how the Car of Tomorrow will affect the outcome of the season. Therefore, we’ve bought stock in who we believe is the best all-around driver on the circuit.

Yes, Tony Stewart missed the Chase last season when a mid-summer slump derailed his hopes of defending his Nextel Cup crown. But the slump can be attributed as much to injuries (sustained after two monster hits at Lowe’s) as to his ability in a racecar. That same slump just may prove to be the catalyst that drives him in his quest for a third Cup title.

Reflect for a moment on his dominating performance in 2005 and his five top 5s — including three wins — during last season’s Chase. Throw in the fact that he and crew chief Greg Zipadelli are not only the leaders of a championship-tested crew but that they feel they have something to prove after last year’s collapse, and the picture becomes clear.

In his eight years on the circuit, Stewart has averaged 3.65 wins per season. That is a conservative estimate as far as 2007 goes. While he has been an outspoken critic of the new cars, Stewart will get the hang of them quickly. And, hey, they’re still running 22 events in the old skin.

Also of importance is his performance on each style of track that the circuit runs. In the last two seasons he has recorded a win or a runner-up finish on a flat, intermediate, plate, road and short track. No one else can claim that.

Versatility will be key when the COT is unleashed. A driver will be forced to adapt to a totally new car, and Stewart’s diverse background, be it a winged sprint-car on the dirt at Eldora, an open-wheeled rocket at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, or a bulking stock car on the high banks of Bristol, will pay in spades.

Fantasy Stall
Looking at Checkers: Tony Stewart can win on any track at any time. He’s the Peyton Manning of fantasy racing.
Pretty Solid Pick: See above.
Good Sleeper Pick: He’s not a sleeper.
Runs on Seven Cylinders: He doesn’t run bad enough anywhere consistently to highlight one track.
Insider Tip: Keep your eyes open for a slump. It burned this team last season. Otherwise, feel free to use Stewart as a No. 1 fantasy pick on any given weekend.

2006 Performance Rankings
Flat Track Ranking: 8th — Best Finish: 2nd, New Hampshire and Phoenix.
Intermediate Track Ranking: 11th — Best Finish: 1st, Atlanta, Kansas and Texas.
Plate Track Ranking: 1st — Best Finish: 1st, Daytona
Road Course Ranking: 11th — Best Finish: 2nd, Watkins Glen
Short Track Ranking: 4th — Best Finish: 1st, Martinsville

Read Tony Stewart's entire preview in the 2007 Athlon Sports Racing Magazine