Tony Stewart is a retired American professional race car driver and team owner, known for his success in NASCAR. Born on May 20, 1971, in Columbus, Indiana, he began racing go-karts at a young age and quickly progressed through various racing series. Stewart won three NASCAR Cup Series championships during his career, making him one of the sport's most accomplished drivers. In addition to his NASCAR achievements, Stewart also competed in open-wheel racing, including the IndyCar Series, where he won the prestigious Indy 500 in 1996. After retiring from driving in 2016, he became a team owner for Stewart-Haas Racing, continuing to influence the sport.