Tony Stewart placed both hands on the white table cloth, blocking the waiter’s attempt to slide a large piece of creamy vanilla cake in front of him as forcefully as he would block another driver for the win.
“No,” Stewart said politely during last week’s Nextel Cup awards luncheon in New York.
“Are you sure?” the waiter asked.
“Absolutely,” Stewart replied.
A year ago, even three months ago, the 2002 and 2005 Cup champion would have welcomed the desert. He may have asked for seconds and thirds and snuck a bite from the person next to him.
Now he’s counting calories as carefully as he does driver points and watching everything that goes into his mouth.
And what Stewart doesn’t watch, the trainer being paid $200,000 a year to live with him on and off the road does.
No more double-chocolate milkshakes and hot dogs at the Dairy Queen in his hometown of Columbus, Ind. No more Coca-Colas or Big Macs with large fries.
No more fat jokes.
The 35-year-old Stewart has dropped 19 pounds and several inches off his waistline, looking more like he did as a Cup rookie in 1999.
He made the lifestyle change shortly after failing to make the Chase for the Nextel Cup. But it wasn’t so much missing the Chase that prompted the decision as it was physics.
“I used to put the steering wheel where I wanted it,” Stewart said. “It got to where I put it where I had to have it. That was kind of the reality of the thing.”
A drop in energy level also was a factor.
“As much money as we spend building race cars to make them go faster, it was time to spend money on myself to make myself go fast,” Stewart said.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. appreciates the slimmed-down Stewart, but he doesn’t buy either explanation.
“It has something to do with that hot girl standing next to him,” he said with a laugh. “That’s more incentive to him.”
Stewart said he noticed a difference in performance when he began losing weight, particularly while celebrating three wins during the final 10 events with what has become his trademark fence climb.
“It seems the lighter I get, the easier it gets,” he said.
More at ESPN.com
- Foyt says Firestone tires ‘Just As Bad’ as Goodyear
- Stewart could partner with JR Motorsports?
- Stewart and Hamlin about to get contract extensions
- Stewart to go Distance at Pocono
- Stewart to test at Daytona
Im glad tony is getting his weight under control..i never thought he was overweight, i just thought he was a little on the chunky side. heavy or slim, ugly or hot, tony will always be my favorite driver. all power to him to want to feel his best and get back down to his rookie weight and then some. im proud of ya tony, keep it up ! i have to watch you climb the fence at the pepsi 400 again ! :]
and any fat jokes anyone might have..screw off. let’s see you have an incredibly busy schedule like tony’s and try to loose weight all at the same time.
i love ya tony..lets make 07 one hell of a ride !
To me Tony wasn’t fat per se but he was well on his way there.
I just hope he doesn’t lose too much. Skinny,skinny guys
are a major turn off and not healthy at all. I am looking forward to a great comeback season for Stewart…never stop Believing…
Heh… one wrong move on the fence and the weight-loss wont matter anymore.