NASCAR: Why Tony Stewart's Sprint Cup Win Is Good for the Sport

This season of NASCAR Sprint Cup racing culminated in a finale that could not have been scripted and the champion that was crowned is reminiscent of the drivers in other eras. A driver with no quit in him.

Tony Stewart accomplished the feat with five wins in the 10-week Chase after a 26-week preseason in which he failed to find Victory Lane.

His determination was unflappable, as he set his sights on winning the title, despite the incredible consistency of Carl Edwards, who was a formidable challenger.

Stewart announced to the world he was coming after Edwards in the Chase and he did right down to the last lap at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

When the season was over, the points were tied, but the tiebreaker went to Stewart because of his five wins. Edwards did not win during the Chase.

Stewart is old-school with his racing style, a wheelman who charges hard and gives what he gets on the track. He is a throwback racer who has a record as a "bad boy" during his earlier days and is always one to tell it like it is.

Stewart is not the politically correct, media savvy, calm and cool Cup champion like the one we have had for the past five years, Jimmie Johnson.

He is a refreshing breath of fresh air for the sport of NASCAR. Stewart is not always predictable, but he is respected by those in the sport.

Many questioned his decision-making ability when he left the comfort of Joe Gibbs Racing, where he won Cup titles in 2002 and 2005. Would it be possible this driver could suddenly become an owner and find success while also driving for his own company?

Indeed, he has proven just how potent Stewart Haas Racing is after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup title this year, the third year of operation for SHR.

Stewart became partners with Gene Haas who needed funding as his racing operation struggled. Haas now knows he could not have found a better partner. The driver/owner of the No. 14 Mobil 1/Office Depot was able to assemble a strong supportive cast at Stewart Haas Racing.

He was assisted with the resources of Hendrick Motorsports who furnishes engines, chassis and technical support.

Stewart's winning of his third Cup title was amplified by the fact he is the first owner/driver to win a championship since Alan Kulwicki did in 1992.

NASCAR fans appreciate Stewart's accomplishments, not only in NASCAR, but in the open-wheel cars. They flock to his track at Eldora and other tracks in which he has partial ownership.

Stewart is a hardcore racer who will represent NASCAR in an excellent manner. He is also going to be a fun champion with his unpredicable behavior and wry humor.

Stewart Haas Racing is on the brink of expanding to a major player in the elite series of NASCAR. The current two-car operation will expand to a third car that will be driven in 10 races by media darling, Danica Patrick.

If Stewart can find a sponsor to buy the remaining races that would enable him to run Patrick's No. 10 car for the full season, he would love to run it all 36 races.

With the Hendrick support, three Cup titles and the effort he is putting into building an organization that is able to not only win races, but titles as well, the future looks bright at SHR.

Stewart optimizes his personnel and motivates them to achieve goals that sometimes appear difficult. He kept his team focused, yet relaxed, as they plowed through the Chase with winning ways.

Even Stewart's crew chief, Darian Grubb, knew he would be out of a job with nearly six weeks left in the Chase. Just like Stewart, there was no quit in Grubb despite the circumstances.

For NASCAR, they not only have an extremely talented driver with multiple championships, but an owner who will become a major player in the sport as the years go by.

Jimmie Johnson's amazing five consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles will likely never be matched. Fans grew weary of Johnson winning the title year after year, despite his ability to do so.

Now we have a driver, Stewart, who was the Cup champion the year before Johnson's reign and also the champion who ended his reign.

The fans wanted change and Stewart is a refreshing one when it comes to Cup champions. NASCAR has reason to smile after the jump in ratings during the Chase and especially the final race at Homestead.

Smoke has a burning desire to win and looks to be ready to go after the title in 2012. There is little doubt that Stewart winning the 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup title is a very good thing for the sport.