Stewart headlines celebratory night for Joe Gibbs Racing

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Tony Stewart, the throwback, blue-collar “People's Champion” of NASCAR, is once again the headline act.

Stewart was one of five inductees Friday night into the 11th class of NASCAR's Hall of Fame — a group that is essentially a celebration of Joe Gibbs Racing. The three-time NASCAR champion was inducted alongside Joe Gibbs, his former team owner, and Bobby Labonte, his first NASCAR teammate.

Also inducted was Waddell Wilson, an engine builder and crew chief who coincidentally was team manager of Stewart's first foray into NASCAR. The late Buddy Baker, who raced 33 years before transitioning into a broadcast role, was also inducted and Stewart has early ties to him, too.

Stewart first tried to drive a stock car at Buck Baker Driving School in Rockingham and Buddy Baker turned up to watch “Smoke” turn laps at North Carolina Speedway.

“To have a connection to every member of this NASCAR Hall of Fame class is very, very special, as all of them had an influence early in my NASCAR career that allows me to stand in this spot right now," Stewart said. "Twelve of my 21 years in NASCAR came driving for Joe Gibbs. ‘You win with people,’ is what Joe always said. Joe surrounded me with some of the best people in racing, and it’s why we were able to win two championships and a lot of races together.

“When I joined Joe Gibbs Racing back in 1997, Bobby spent the most time with me because that’s when I needed the most help. The transition from sprint cars, midgets and Indy cars was not easy, and the time Bobby invested in me made the learning curve a little less steep.”

Then came the standard Stewart joke. He noted Labonte's training regimen in those early days, a stark contrast to Stewart, who notoriously avoids fitness and dieting.

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