Stewart optimistic for Watkins Glen

Stewart has scored three of his thirty-one Nextel Cup career victories at 'The Glen', winning for the first time in 2002. He then scored consecutive victories in 2004 and 2005, the last one from pole after qualifying was rained out.

"It's definitely a place I feel like we've got the potential to win, even before we make a single lap," Stewart said. "We have five wins at the road courses, and I'd like to think that's pretty good over the last eight years.

"I feel like we've run really well on the road courses, especially at Watkins Glen. It's one of my favorite tracks on the circuit because it is so unique and different. It's a race I look forward to going to every year."

Stewart ran strongly earlier this year at Sonoma, leading the race for six laps before having to pit for fuel with 35 laps to go under green flag, while others, including race winner Juan Pablo Montoya, pitted for the last time under caution earlier.

The Gibbs driver believes, however, that Sonoma and Watkins Glen have completely different characteristics, the latter putting more emphasis on braking and aerodynamics due to higher average speeds.

"The two tracks, while both road courses, are still pretty different." Stewart added. "I think there are the same amounts of passing opportunities, but because of the speeds that you're able to run at The Glen, brakes become a much bigger factor than I think they are at Sonoma.

"It's pretty much a horsepower track. It's horsepower and aerodynamics just like it is anywhere else we go. It just happens to be in the form of a road course. Sonoma has a lot less grip in the race track."

Two of Stewart's victories at Watkins Glen came in the two years that he won the Nextel Cup title. He sits currently fifth in the standings, well within the top twelve that make the Chase for the championship, which Stewart missed last year.