Nextel Cup Series

PERSONAL Birthdate: May 20, 1971 Hometown: Rushville, Ind. Resides: Columbus, Ind., and Cornelius, N.C. Marital Status: Single Children: None Hobbies: Bowling, boating, fishing, scuba diving

HIGHLIGHTS 2002 series champion Has finished among the top 10 in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series championship in all six of his seasons Led series in 2000 with six wins 1999 series Raybestos Rookie of the Year 1997 Indy Racing League champion

YEAR-BY-YEAR NASCAR NEXTEL CUP SERIES RECAP 2004 Finished sixth in series points. Entered the inaugural Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup in fourth place. Finished second in the Daytona 500 after leading 98 of 200 laps. Scored the first of two wins at Chicago after leading 160 of 267 laps. Enjoyed a mid-season run that included two wins and five top fives in six races. Was caught up in an accident and finished 39th at New Hampshire, round one of the Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup. Was one of four drivers in the Top 10 all season. 2003 Finished seventh in series points. On par to defend series title after four top 10s in first five races, but a string of four DNFs and inconsistent finishes – including consecutive finishes of 41st (California), 41st (Richmond) and 40th (Charlotte) – dropped him to 20th by late May. Won two races, Pocono in June and Charlotte in October. Won pole at Chicago and led 80 laps before finishing second. Rebounded late in the year with six consecutive top fives (Dover through Atlanta) bumping him from 11th to seventh in series points. Won second career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Richmond in September. Signed contract extension with Joe Gibbs Racing in September through 2009. 2002 Won series championship. Gave team owner Joe Gibbs his second championship in three seasons (Bobby Labonte in 2000 was Gibbs’ other champion). Championship season marked the fourth consecutive season in the final top 10 in points. Won $9,163,761, third all-time single-season total in NASCAR history. Won three races – Atlanta in March, Richmond in May and Watkins Glen in August. Bounced back after last-place finish (43rd) in season- opening Daytona 500. Took lead in points after Talladega race in October. March to the top began at New Hampshire in July with the first of nine consecutive top-15 finishes. Clinched championship in season finale at Homestead with 18th-place finish; finished 31 points ahead of Mark Martin in the final standings. 2001 Finished second in series points, behind four-time champion Jeff Gordon. Started season by winning Budweiser Shootout at Daytona, a non-points event; that was his first victory in restrictor-plate racing. Won three series races. Won at Infineon for first series road-course victory, with dramatic late-race pass of leader Robby Gordon. Also won at Richmond and at the Bristol night race. Completed 1,100 miles of racing on May 27, finishing sixth in the Indianapolis 500 and third in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte. 2000 Finished sixth in series points. Won six races, including both Dover’s two events. Also won at Michigan, New Hampshire, Martinsville and Homestead. Homestead win came on day that Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Bobby Labonte clinched series championship. Had streak of six consecutive top-10 finishes. Took two poles. 1999 Finished fourth in series points. Raybestos Rookie of the Year in first season with Joe Gibbs Racing. Won three races during great second half of season. First win at Richmond on Sept. 11, in 25th series start. Also won back-to-back events at Phoenix and Homestead. First series rookie to win three races. Had two poles, plus an outside pole for the season-opening Daytona 500. Won Winston Open, then finished second in The Winston. Raced in Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on May 30, finishing ninth at Indy and fourth at Charlotte.

PREVIOUS RACING HISTORY In 1998, ran 22 NASCAR Busch Series races for Joe Gibbs Racing, getting two poles and five top-five finishes; also in ’98 ran full Indy Racing League schedule. Ran five NASCAR Busch races for Gibbs in 1997. In 1996 ran nine Busch Series races for Ranier/Walsh Racing. Won Indy Racing League championship in 1997. Earned 1996 IRL Rookie of the Year; also Indianapolis 500 Rookie of the Year in ’96 after taking the pole and leading the first 44 laps. In 1995 swept championships in United States Auto Club (USAC) Midget, Sprint Car and Silver Crown competition, the first driver to do so. Won 1994 USAC Midget national champion. In 1991, USAC Sprint Car Rookie of the Year. Won 1987 World Karting Association national title. In 1983, won International Karting Foundation Grand National title.

NOTEWORTHY Stewart’s World of Outlaws sprint car team won the 2001 series title with driver Danny Lasoski. Stewart’s favorite driver is four-time Indy 500 champion A.J. Foyt.. Appeared in a music video for rock band 3 Doors Down. Donated $1 million to Kyle and Pattie Petty and their Victory Junction Gang Camp in Nov. 2003. As a team owner, won the USAC Triple Crown with driver J.J. Yeley. Purchased Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, in Nov. 2004. Named 2004 NASCAR USG Driver of the Year for charitable efforts earning a $100,000 award which he donated to the Victory Junction Gang Camp Named USA Weekend Magazine’s 2004 Most Caring Athletes along with NASCAR driver Kyle Petty.