Tony Stewart Leads the Way at Fiesta Bowl Parade

In what could become a common sight during the 2009 season, two-time NASCAR Champion Tony Stewart led the way down the streets of Arizona Saturday afternoon.

This was no race though, Stewart was the Grand Marshal of the 38th Annual Fort McDowell Fiesta Bowl Parade, presented by Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation.

Stewart may have been leading the way, but he wasn't the one driving the car. Instead, he rode on the trunk of a Chevrolet Corvette during the 1.9-mile route.

“That was like driver introductions at Indianapolis times 10,” said Stewart, referring to the ritual of riding in the back of a pickup truck around the famed Indianapolis Motor Speedway before racing 42 other drivers for 400 miles. 

“This is a huge event, and I’m just honored to be a part of it.  It’s pretty cool to sort of venture outside our box a little bit and take in a game of this magnitude.

"With the racing season being what it is, getting away to see a college football game is kind of tough.  When the Fiesta Bowl Committee called and asked if I was interested in being their grand marshal, I said, ‘As long as I get a ticket and a field pass to the game, I’m in,” according to a press release issued by the team he now owns and drives for (Stewart-Haas Racing PR).

Trailing behind Stewart were two roaring Chevrolet Impalas, both painted No. 14.

One of which featured Old Spice on the hood, while the other was pained with Office Depot, Stewart's sponsors for the upcoming NASCAR season.

“Being grand marshal was also a great opportunity for our race team,” said Stewart, in the press release issued Sunday.  “It’s not every day that we’re able to crossover into other sporting events, so to be able to do that and bring my team and sponsors a little extra exposure was a no-brainer. 

"Plus, we’re going to be back out here in April at Phoenix International Raceway, and hopefully the time we spend here in January brings a few more people out to the race track in April.”

Sponsors have been dropping like rain in the rain forests lately in NASCAR, and any opportunity to showcase them on a national stage is likely to make them happy.

Stewart enters the 2009 season with a highly anticipated return to Chevrolet.

When Joe Gibbs Racing (Stewart's previous team) announced the move to Toyota following the 2007 season, it was said that Stewart wanted to remain in a Chevrolet.

It was also rumored that General Motors was willing to help buy out the remainder of Stewart's contract with Gibbs Racing to put him back behind the wheel of their Impala.

Stewart is coming off decent season in his finale with Gibbs Racing. He finished ninth in the points standings, with one win, 10 top-fives, 16 top-10 finishes, an average finish of 14, and earnings of more than $6.2 million.

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Photo Source: NASCAR Media.com