1997 Indy Racing League champion Tony Stewart has ruled out running in 103rd running of the Indianapolis 500 despite previously stating he was ready for a return to the Brickyard once again in an IndyCar.
Stewart attempted the Indy 500 on six occasions throughout his career, he started on the pole as a rookie in 1996 – but was never able to win the event. His best finish came in 1997, crossing the line in fifth place after starting on the front row in second.
The three-time NASCAR champion mentioned in August he was keen to come back to IndyCar for the 500-mile race; but would like to do so with the aim to win and not just be taking part with 32 others in the field.
Stewart told NBCSN: "Not this coming year, I did what I normally do, I let my mouth open before I thought about what I was saying and mentioned that I was open to the possibility again, and I realistically am.
"The reason I wouldn’t do it next year, I’m not doing it to just do it. I want to do it to try to win the race."
Despite his previous experience at the Brickyard, the 47-year old is cautious about the level of competition in the current IndyCar series and admits it won't be possible to simply jump into a seat and be competitive right away.
He added: "If you’re really going to do that, the IndyCar Series is so competitive right now, and the drivers and teams so tough, you’re not going to just stroll in here like they used to do in the ’70s and ’80s and do a good job.
"I’d want to run an oval race sometime in the coming year to get ready for 2020 if I’m going to do it."
"It’s an insult to the guys who do it every week to show up and think you’re going to be as good as those guys are. They’re on their game. They know their cars. They know how they need their cars to feel in practice to be good in the race.
"It’s foolish to think you can just show up and be competitive and have a shot to win."
