'SMOKE' CALLED TO FRONT OF LINE FOR INDY TRIBUTE

SPEEDWAY, Ind. -- Tony Stewart 's final NASCAR Sprint Cup Series start at Indianapolis Motor Speedway got off to an emotional start here Sunday as NASCAR and IMS officials, along with fans of the three-time premier series champion, paid tribute to Stewart during pre-race activities.

Stewart, twice a winner at the legendary 2.5-mile facility, is retiring from Sprint Cup competition at season's end. Sunday's Crown Royal Presents the Combat Wounded Coalition 400 at the Brickyard marked his 18th career start at the track.

Stewart, 45, led the field on the opening pace lap well ahead of even the pace car prior to the start of the race before falling back in line to his official starting position of third on the 40-car grid.

Earlier, additional room on the pre-race grid was provided to the No. 14 Stewart-Haas Racing team to accommodate up to 100 guests on hand to see Stewart make his final scheduled Brickyard start.

Stewart has 49 career victories, including Brickyard 400 wins in 2005 and '07. His 9.6 average finishing position at Indy is his best at any track in the series.

Stewart grew up in Columbus, Indiana, located approximately 50 miles south of the speedway, and he maintains his primary residence there. He has spoken often of what the track has meant to him through the years.

"You know, it means a lot," he said recently. "Some of the greatest race car drivers in the world, whether it was IndyCar, Formula 1, MotoGP, NASCAR, they've run and won at the Brickyard, so that in itself makes it special.

"I grew up ... in Indiana. I didn't move to Indiana. I didn't move away from Indiana. I'm the only NASCAR driver in the (Sprint) Cup Series that's from Indiana that still lives in Indiana, and I'm proud of where I was born. I'm proud to be back.

"I still live in the town I was raised in. I take a lot of pride in that. I think the state of Indiana takes a lot of pride in that, and that's what makes it a big weekend. I'm representing a lot of people around me, and I'm proud to do that."

Stewart made his first start at Indy in 1996, winning the pole and finishing 24th for team owner John Menard in the Indianapolis 500. He finished fifth the following year.

Stewart remains the only driver to complete all 1,100 miles of the Indy/Charlotte double held in May. He finished sixth in the Indy 500 in 2001, then flew to Charlotte Motor Speedway where he drove to a third-place finish in the Coca-Cola 600 .

M&M'S REVEALS KYLE BUSCH'S NEW ALL-STAR RACE NUMBER

The M&M's Racing with Kyle Busch Facebook page showed off a special Sprint All-Star Race paint scheme that honors the driver's partnership with Mars, Inc., complete with a number switch to celebrate the company's 75th anniversary.

Busch will drive the No. 75 M&M's Toyota next Saturday in the Sprint All-Star Race to celebrate the diamond anniversary. M&M's, Snickers, Double Mint and Pedigree, all of which have been part of the No. 18 car's livery since the partnership formed in 2008, are all Mars, Inc. brands. It's a one-race switch only.

"NASCAR fans have been enthusiastic all season about the M&M's 75th Anniversary, so we're excited to continue the celebration by changing Kyle's race car from the No. 18 to No. 75," Tanya Berman, director, M&M's Brand said in a company release. "It has been an amazing 75 years for the M&M's brand and this year not only allows us look back at our accomplishments, but forward as well to our exciting future."

"We've had fun all season celebrating M&M's birthday with our fans -- there has been a lot to celebrate since their big year comes right after our incredible championship," Kyle Busch said in the release. "For us the best part has been reading our fans' favorite M&M's racing memories, and hopefully with our success so far this season, we've been able to make a few more."

The defending Sprint Cup Series champion, Busch already has three wins in the first 11 races of the 2016 season, including victories at Martinsville, Texas and Kansas. Last week was Busch's first win at Kansas, and he gets another chance to check off another track next week -- Charlotte.

Busch has yet to win at Pocono or Charlotte Motor Speedway, site of the May 29 Coca-Cola 600 (1 p.m. ET, FOX, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.)

Peyton Manning named honorary official for April 17 race at Bristol

Peyton Manning finally is coming to NASCAR.

Recently retired from the NFL after an 18-year career, the former Tennessee Volunteers quarterback has been named an honorary official for the April 17 Sprint Cup race at Bristol Motor Speedway.

Manning’s indoctrination to the sport will be at the side of Dale Earnhardt Jr.

As a fellow spokesman for Nationwide Insurance, Manning will accompany Earnhardt during driver introductions and will watch the Food City 500 from Earnhardt’s pit box.

“I’m thrilled to get a chance to watch Dale compete at Bristol Motor Speedway,” said Peyton Manning in a track press release. “I want to thank Nationwide for bringing me to one of the great NASCAR tracks to watch what I’m sure will be an exciting race in front of some of the most passionate fans in the sport.”

This won’t be Manning’s first exposure to auto racing. The former member of the Indianapolis Colts waved the green flag on the 91st Indianapolis 500 in 2007.

“It’s pretty awesome that Peyton Manning is coming out to Bristol,” said Earnhardt in the release. “I think he’s going to enjoy watching the race there because it’s such an amazing race track. It’s awesome to have a legend like him coming to participate and enjoy our sport. He’s going to enjoy his experience I’m sure and we’re excited to have him.”

At the University of Tennessee, Manning finished his career with 42 NCAA, SEC and Tennessee records. He won the Maxwell Award as the nation’s most outstanding player, the Davey O’Brien National Quarterback Award, the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Player of the Year honors his senior season.

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