The Seventh NASCAR Day of Christmas: Seventh Place for Stewart

Stewart takes a break with the Office Depot Foundation’s 2010 “Teddy B. Caring”
holiday bear. The Office Depot Foundation donates a portion of proceeds from sales
of the bear to help children and families in need around the world.
Photo Credit: MATTER/Edelman for Office Depot Racing

For the second consecutive year as a driver/owner Tony Stewart made the Chase.

Not only did he make the Chase - he cracked the top ten.

Smoke ended the year in seventh spot - with two wins, nine top fives and two poles. He led more total laps than third-place finisher Kevin Harvick. And he notched 17 top 10 finishes to boot.

It took Stewart a little longer to find his groove this year - his first win didn't come 'til Atlanta Motor Speedway in September. 

But in what may have been the highlight of his year, Stewart smoked the field at Fontana, giving him his first win at Auto Club Speedway in 19 tries.

That victory leaves Las Vegas and Darlington as the only active tracks where Smoke has yet to take the checkers.  Not a bad short list for Smoke to tackle in 2011 ...

Gordon to Debut Pepsi Max Paint Scheme

Jeff Gordon has three wins at Fontana under his belt.

And he'd like nothing better than to earn numero quatro at Auto Club Speedway on Sunday.

That's when Gordon will debut the newest Pepsi Max paint scheme (pictured above).

In conjunction with the race (the Pepsi Max 400), Pepsi Max, will award 400 winners one of 400 prizes. Tune in to ESPN at 2:30 p.m. October 10, when Gordon will reveal the unique word that fans can text to 73774 or enter online at www.facebook.com/pepsimaxusa for their chance to win.

Prizes include travel packages to Las Vegas, Bristol Motor Speedway and Hendrick Motorsports; autographed Pepsi Max hats; and a phone call from Gordon himself.