Here's a gift from IMS that Tony Stewart can't refuse
Tony Stewart has been pretty adamant that he doesn't want a parade of retirement gifts coming his way in this, his final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.
But this one might change his mind just a little.
According to a report in the IndyStar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway is planning to give Stewart a dirt oval inside Turn 3 at the iconic IMS track.
The plan, IMS president Doug Boles told the newspaper on Tuesday, is to unveil the 3/16th-mile dirt oval for a Stewart media appearance next Tuesday. Stewart will be promoting the upcoming Sprint Cup Series race to be held at the 2.5-mile big IMS track on July 24.
And the hope is that Stewart will join several other midget teams to play in the dirt during an exhibition race that day, or at least to take a spin by himself on the oval that, well, is his.
Stewart was informed of the plan by the track last week, according to the report. And if all goes well, Stewart's new track eventually will be modified so it's large enough to accommodate dirt sprint cars.
Stewart has said he plans to race on dirt after he retires as a driver from the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series after this season.
"Tony doesn't want gifts, per se, but we thought this was a great way to marry his love for dirt-track racing with his love for racing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway," Boles told the IndyStar.
So maybe, just maybe, this July's race won't be the last one Stewart runs at Indianapolis Motor Speedway after all.
A short track at IMS in honor of @TonyStewart? You heard right. The dirt arrives tomorrow!
— Indy Motor Speedway (@IMS) June 28, 2016
