The Final Lap with Kerry Murphey

With “Walk-Off Win,” Stewart Takes Third Title At Homestead

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 20, 2011) – Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Tony Stewart went from all-time great to legend, capturing his third career NASCAR Sprint Cup Series championship in grand fashion – a number that places him among a short list of historic NASCAR figures.

With a victory in Sunday’s Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Stewart became the seventh champion to win the season finale in his championship season. He out-dueled runner-up Carl Edwards in a finale befitting a championship showdown, tying Edwards in points – but winning the championship on a tiebreaker. Stewart’s five wins bested Edwards’ one, clinching the title for Stewart.

Stewart won his first championship in 2002 and second in 2005. The Indiana native now joins David Pearson, Lee Petty, Darrell Waltrip and Cale Yarborough – all NASCAR Hall of Fame members or inductees – as three-time champions. Nine drivers in NASCAR Sprint Cup history have won three or more championships.

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This year it’s Tony Stewart passing Clint Bowyer running out of fuel in the closing laps to grab his second win in a row to go undefeated in the Chase so far.

Time for the last race before the “Chase For The Sprint Cup” begins! Tony Stewart and the No. 14 Office Depot team will compete at Richmond International Raceway tonight with a special red, white and blue “Honoring Our 9/11 Heroes” paint scheme as our nation marks the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001.