"I'm so much better than I was two years ago, and that's because of the people I have around me." – Larry Stewart Jr.

Larry Stewart Jr. is living proof that nice guys don't always finish last. Popular among his fellow Division 4 racers, he's also humble to a fault. Following a breakout season in which he won four races and completed a late-season rally to overtake Dan Fletcher for the national championship, Stewart still doesn't believe his accomplishments merit special attention.

"To be honest, I'm just a young guy from Mississippi who works hard and tries to do the best thing for his family," said Stewart. "I never thought I'd be in a position to do this. It's something you always dream about, but the reality is that it's hard. The only thing I can figure is that it was divine intervention combined with a little skill and some good luck."

Prior to the 2004 season, Stewart's résumé featured just three Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series wins and one national event final-round appearance. Stewart's attitude and results changed dramatically this year after he got some advice from his friend, Mac Tools U.S. Nationals champ Joe LoCicero.

"I'm so much better than I was two years ago, and that's because of the people I have around me," said Stewart. "Joe has been my mentor, and he has given me information that has been priceless. He has changed my driving habits, and it has made a difference. My dad, Larry Sr., makes sure the car is right, and Roger Green, who comes to nearly all of the races with me, helps keep my head on straight."

After two early round losses in divisional competition, Stewart got rolling at the O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals in Houston, where he scored his first career national event title. A few weeks later, he hit pay dirt again with a victory at the Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals in Madison, and he won again a week later at the Division 4 event at Texas Motorplex.

Firmly entrenched in the top 10 at that point, Stewart was beginning to realize that he had a legitimate shot at the title, but, incredibly, he nearly stopped racing.

"There were a lot of personal issues involved," Stewart explained. "I needed to spend more time with my wife and kids. I've always tried to put family first. We had some discussions, and my friend Wayne Winfield told me, 'No matter what you do, you need to finish the year.' My wife Kala was also really supportive. There were many times when she gave me a much needed pep talk, and that helped me tremendously."

Shortly after his Dallas win, Stewart reached the final of the Division 4 event in Baton Rouge, La. Now within a few points of Fletcher, he began to understand for the first time in his career the intense pressure that often goes with a tight points battle.

"At the Lucas Oil race at No Problem Raceway, I found out that one of my friends was letting Fletcher drive his car," said Stewart. "Having him there really stressed me out, and when we ran each other in the quarterfinals, I was off my game. If I'm ever in that spot again, I will know how to handle it, but that was a case of live and learn."

Down the homestretch, Stewart made the trip to the Division 2 event in Gainesville for his final points-earning event. Needing to reach the quarterfinals to overtake Fletcher, he turned in a gutsy performance and won the race.

"I should have been nervous, but I wasn't," said Stewart. "Before the race, I called [four-time Super Stock champ] Greg Stanfield, and he gave me some good advice. He told me not to try and make something out of nothing and to just relax and do my normal deal. Hearing that from him took all of the pressure off."

Despite the Gainesville win, Stewart wasn't done; Fletcher could still pass him by reaching the quarterfinals at the Division 7 event in Las Vegas.

"I couldn't earn points, but I decided to return the favor from No Problem and go to Las Vegas in order to put some pressure on him," said Stewart. "Winning five rounds is a tall order, but I knew that if anyone could do it, Dan was the guy."

A race that could have been agonizing ended quickly as Fletcher fouled in the first round. Stewart, who was standing near the finish line alongside former national champ Jimmy DeFrank, could barely believe it was over.

"When we saw the red-light, I wasn't sure whose lane it was in," said Stewart. "Then I looked at the scoreboard and saw Steve Wann's win light, and I can't tell you how relieved I was."

Looking back, Stewart had a number of people and companies to thank for his successful season, including his wife Kala, daughters Alyssa and Hayley, parents Larry Sr. and Elise, LoCicero, car builder Richard Stevens, Comp Cams, ATI, Mickey Thompson Tires, Bullet Cams, Patterson Racing, and Tom Ferguson of Lineardyn Weather Stations.

"I'm not one to think that I could ever repeat this next year," said Stewart. "It's a long road, and there are many, many good drivers out there, but by the same token, if I approach it with the same mentality I had this year, there's no telling what might happen. Maybe the good Lord will shine on me again."

Stewart's 2004 Track Record (654 points)
O'Reilly NHRA Spring Nationals	Won event
NHRA Cajun SPORTSnationals	Second round
Sears Craftsman NHRA Nationals	Won event
Texas Motorplex (Div. 4)	Won event
State Capitol Dragway (Div. 4)	Runner-up
Thunder Valley Raceway Park (Div. 4)	Semifinals
No Problem Raceway (Div. 4)	Quarterfinals
Gainesville Raceway (Div. 2)	Won event