Rob Gronkowski brought playful jabs to the 109th Indianapolis 500, poking fun at Tony Stewart just as the spotlight turns to Tony Stewart achievements across IndyCar NASCAR and NHRA racing. Gronkowski served as the Grand Marshal at the Snake Pit infield party held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, energizing the crowd and making headlines before the race.
During his appearance, Gronkowski also appeared on the FOX broadcast, adding to the event’s festive atmosphere. Tony Stewart Racing later posted a clip of Gronkowski’s lighthearted moment on X, drawing laughs from both the audience and viewers at home.
“You have to be here, you guys are missing out the biggest party. There’s a lot of smoke here and I’m not talking about Tony Stewart,” Rob Gronkowski said.
Stewart’s Unmatched Success Across Major Motorsports
Tony Stewart, known in racing circles as Smoke, has cemented his reputation with remarkable accomplishments in various racing disciplines. After his 1997 IndyCar Series championship, Stewart moved seamlessly between series, recently adding NHRA competition to his resume. Last season marked his debut in NHRA drag racing, and this year he already clinched two victories.
These wins make Stewart the only competitor with multiple victories in NHRA, NASCAR, IndyCar, and USAC, highlighting his rare versatility and skill. His Top Fuel Dragster triumphs first came at The Strip in Las Vegas and most recently at Route 66 Raceway, making headlines and further expanding his legacy.
At 54, Stewart remains the only driver to have completed all 1100 miles of the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in a single day—a grueling feat that underscores his stamina and determination. This year, Kyle Larson will make another attempt at the challenge known as The Double, starting the Indianapolis 500 from the 19th position, joining the select few to pursue this endurance milestone more than once.
Stewart Recounts a Challenging Indy 500 Week
This year, Tony Stewart led the Indy 500 pre-race coverage for FOX alongside former driver Danica Patrick and broadcaster Chris Myers. Tom Rinaldi and Erin Andrews contributed with special reports and interviews, providing fans with insight and background on the major event.
Reflecting on the intensity of the week, Stewart shared his thoughts during a post-race press conference at Route 66 Raceway, acknowledging the challenges faced by drivers during preparations for the 2024 Indianapolis 500.
“In my career and my legacy in motorsports is that I’ve had my feet in every pool, it seems like, in every capacity. But it’s not about what we’re doing this weekend. Next weekend’s about the Indianapolis 500, it’s about the people,” Tony Stewart said in a video shared on Instagram by @tsrsmoke.
“This year, all of us sat and watched the last couple of days of what these drivers went through and are going through. It is probably one of the toughest years I’ve seen in Indy for drivers driving these race cars,” he added.
Stewart also expressed his excitement to work with FOX Sports as part of the IndyCar Series broadcast, calling it an honor to support the racers and the event. The 109th Indianapolis 500 is set to begin at 12:45 pm ET, with anticipation high after one of the most demanding leads-up in recent memory.
With Tony Stewart’s career reflecting unparalleled success across IndyCar, NASCAR, NHRA, and USAC, and a new generation like Kyle Larson attempting legendary feats, the race continues to highlight motorsports’ spirit of endurance and innovation. All eyes remain on Indianapolis as racing history unfolds once again.
