As Tony Stewart continues to struggle during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, the inevitable question has arisen.
Is it time for "Smoke" to hang it up?
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Sports Illustrated's Beyond the Flag decided it was time to bring up the dreaded "retirement" word with Stewart, who is winless on the NASCAR circuit since June, 2013.
"One driver who should be considering this option is none other than Indiana native, Tony Stewart. The three time Sprint Cup Champion has already raced 16 full season in The Sprint Cup Series and has never really been the same after his Sprint Car accident at Southern Iowa Speedway, where he broke both the tibia and fibula in his lower right leg.
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"Since Stewart's vicious accident in 2013, he has only recorded eight top-five's, 16 top-10s and zero victories in 69 races. This is a far cry from his championship season in 2011, where Smoke managed to capture five wins, nine top-five's, and 19 top-10 finishes. He was also the first driver to win five Chase races in the same season.
"Looking at his performance in 2015, Stewart has finished outside the top 30 six times and has only recorded one top-10 finish this season, which came at Bristol Motor Speedway. To make matters worse, Stewart currently sits 26th in the point's standings and shows little signs of being able to get a win and make The Chase."
Beyond the Flag, for some reason, doesn't include Stewart's involvement in Kevin Ward Jr.'s tragic death last August as a factor, but it should be noted.
SB Nation, however, does think it's possible for Stewart to turn it around and sneak into NASCAR's postseason, listing him as one of six possible drivers with a legitimate chance to qualify.
"But the Chase for the Sprint Cup field has to be filled out by someone and if it's not Stewart, then who?" SB Nation asks, after two fans mailed their disbelief in its assessment of Stewart's chances. "Greg Biffle? Clint Bowyer? Ryan Newman? They too have their own question marks.
"The point is: Whichever driver snags the last spot their résumés will likely be potted with poor results throughout the regular season. So knowing this, and that there are three wildcard races ahead (Sonoma, Daytona, Watkins Glen), expressing confidence in a three-time Cup champion seems wiser than taking a leap faith on anyone mentioned above."
Beyond the Flag does mention all the accomplishments of Stewart as further evidence that he can leave with his head held high and with more goals to accomplish in NASCAR.
"He's also won two championships as a team owner, was the first owner driver in 19 years to win a championship, and is co-owner of one of the most dominant and competitive race teams in NASCAR today," Beyond the Flag reported. "If anything, Stewart would benefit from stepping out of the car, and focusing on how to make his team even more dominant."
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