Right back in the car
Tony Stewart (pictured right) competes in NASCAR, but he spent the first 25 years of his life trying to get to Indianapolis Motor Speedway. When he did, in 1996, he and teammate Scott Brayton qualified first and second. Six days later, Brayton was killed during a practice run. Stewart, a rookie that year, started his first Indy 500 nine days later and led 44 laps until his engine blew. But that’s what racers do. They race, and they’ll race this weekend at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway, where NASCAR becomes the first major series to run since Dan Wheldon died Sunday in the IndyCar season finale. “It doesn’t affect us, getting back in the car,” Stewart said Friday. “We all know that can happen every week. It’s been a part of racing forever.” – AP