Young driver wins first division championship, dedicates it to mother

By: Brian Meadows | Statesville Record & Landmark
Published: August 02, 2011

Mooresville’s Hunter Stewart led every lap of the Bandolero Beginner Bandits race July 27 during the 18th annual Summer Shootout finale at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In the process, he captured his third victory and his first division title, all as a rookie.

It was the culmination of an emotional journey.

“When we started racing these cars a few months ago I had never been on pavement before and I was pretty nervous that first race,” Stewart said. “I’ve had to learn quickly, and it hasn’t been easy. There are a lot of great drivers in my class.”

The 11-year-old trailed Austin Powell by five points entering the final race after surrendering a 21-point lead the previous night due to an unfortunate accident that left his car heavily damaged.

Rebounding with a purpose, Stewart set the fastest qualifying time, won the heat race and led every lap of the finale. Powell finished sixth in the race.

“We never gave up and now we are champions,” Stewart said.

For Stewart, winning races and a championship is a dream come true, but just being able to race is something that he thought wasn’t possible a few months ago.

The California native drives for Racing 2 Cure, which began when he raced off-road trucks in southern California. His mother, Alycia, was diagnosed with cancer during that time. Stewart began raising money through his racing, which inspired his parents to formalize the effort into Racing 2 Cure.

After the move to North Carolina, and Alycia’s second bout with cancer, racing was put on hold.

Stewart accepted that he would have to step away from racing for a while and maybe forever.

But Ruston Racing Development offered him a ride in a Bandolero.

Last week, that offer came full circle, and bringing a championship to both his race team and his family has significant on and off track meaning for Stewart.

“So many people helped me out,” Stewart said. “Most of all, I want to thank my mom and dad and my sister, Brooke, for coming to every race and helping me so much.”

Asked what he would do with the championship trophy, Stewart replied, “That is for my mom.”