The latest theory on Tony Stewart's struggles has surfaced: Perhaps, Stewart is not struggling. Perhaps, this is now Stewart's plight - or place - on the NASCAR circuit.
NASCAR Talk posted a video with analyst Kyle Petty talking about Stewart - not even in terms of winning a race, but rather in terms of simply approaching what his teammates on Stewart-Haas Racing have done this season.
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"It's hard to say when that will really happen," Petty said. "Does he have the ability? Yes.
"I think he's lost his feel a little bit. You see drivers when they get to that stage. I saw it with the King (Richard Petty, Kyle's father), I saw it with Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip, guys like that."
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Stewart is languishing in 30th place in the Chase for the Cup points standing and is winless in 53 races, dating to 2013.
The three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup champion has said he is struggling with the reduced horsepower of the cars this year, which has contributed to his struggle to return to form.
But his involvement in the tragic death of Kevin Ward Jr. last August continues to be a focal point for the change in his racing fortunes.
"It's interesting to say" he's been through so much," Petty said. "I think we back off a little bit, give him time, but along with that, it's the new car, it's the new package, it's a lot of things going on. He'll be back; I don't think we'll ever see the Tony Stewart of old, where he just kicked butt week in and week out."
Petty said he thought Stewart's current level of racing could be a source of frustration, which he has showed in his anger with other drivers that have caused him to end races early or drop significantly in the race standings.
Petty was asked whether he thought Stewart is close to retiring, but quickly dismissed the question
"But I think when you get to a place in your career, then you start looking at it, you say, 'OK do I have three year left? Do I have five years?' We see Jeff Gordon stepping out this year, so then it's going to open doors for guys like Tony and guys his age to start to retire, but I don't think he's close yet."
Do you think Kyle Petty is correct in believing that Tony Stewart never will return to his NASCAR championship form? Comment below or tell us @SportsWN.
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