Todd Stewart
Belleville, ONT — April 8, 2008 – Story & Photo By Jim Clarke, Clarke Motorsports Communications
Since taking his first turn behind the controls of a DIRT Street Stock at Can-Am Motorsports Park in LaFargeville, New York, Canadian chauffeur Todd Stewart has been learning the racing game.
After a couple of seasons wheeling what could best be described as an ‘entry level’ ride, Todd and his car owner/brother Glenn Stewart acquired a DIRTcar Sportsman. It was a big learning curve for the Kingston, Ontario pair, but it didn’t stop them from moving-up yet again, this time to the DIRTcar 358-Modified division in 1998.
That’s where things really started to happen! Stewart accomplished a lofty goal, winning the DIRTcar NorthEast Rookie of the Year title for the 358-Modified division. Stewart Racing then decided to make some changes in its weekly program, giving up a long-time allegiance to Troyer cars in favour of a Canadian-built Bicknell chassis and trading in the long standing tradition of using the #72 in place of the familiar #2 on the side panels. Next, it was a few years running with the sport’s leading racers in a DIRTcar Big-Block Modified ranks – including a pair of trips to Super DIRT Week in Syracuse, New York.
As the 2008 campaign gets close to starting, Stewart’s racing program looks toward a new season with the possibility of an extensive touring schedule. The team would like to run as many as three nights a week and has tentatively pencilled in a return to the Mr. DIRTcar 358-Modified Championship Series, including the opening event at Merrittville Speedway on Saturday, April 26.
During the off-season, both Stewart brothers set out to gain some additional sponsor support for their team. B & G Trailers of Whitby, Ontario will join long-term backers like RW Electric, Southeastern Telecommunications, Fort Glass, Red Line Oil and Dig n’ Dirt. After a short time away from the game, local Re/Max Real Estate sales representative Penny Blake will be back on board.
The first green flag of the year will also see Stewart Racing hit the track in a TEO Pro Car, carrying the original number 72. Todd and Glenn Stewart both said it was time for something new – as well as the perfect time to go back to something their fans, families and friends knew and loved.
Todd Stewart’s 2008 colours were recently debuted as part of a Kingston area racing preview that was staged this past weekend at the Frontenac Mall, joining more than 20 cars that included DIRTcar Series point chasers Pat and Danny O’Brien from the province of Ontario.
