2006-10-02 09:00:32 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Auto Racing
"It started in Sprint cars clear back in '91 when I was running USAC. I wasn't very good about not slipping the right rear tire, initially. So it started as 'Smoker,' then it got shortened to 'Smoke.' Then when I got in the IRL (Indy Racing League) it was 'Smoke' because one of the guys on the crew who was my roommate, and knew the nickname, carried it over to the Indy car team. But then when I started blowing engines, 'Smoke' really stuck. I've had it ever since."
2006-10-02 14:57:37 · answer #1 · answered by lacboy469 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because when he wins a race he does a burnout that leaves a lot of smoke behind. Also...he smokes the field when he races. Tony is so talented that he'll just leave them and have like a 8 second lead over the rest of the field.
2006-10-02 13:32:07 · answer #2 · answered by DaleJr#1Girl 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
tony earned the nickname "smoke" for setting the nascar record of farthest distance while doing a burnout at pocono after winning the race, his burn out was the entire length of teh front stretch, about 3/4 of a mile long, lots of smoke, hence the name
2006-10-02 09:25:57 · answer #3 · answered by mikemusic19 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
tony has said that he was first called smoke at the local track or something (pre IRL) b/c he couldn't drive stick or something and would blow engines alot. a buddy of his moved over to IRL with him and continued to call him smoke. the IRL people thought it was b/c he smoked his tires so much. it just stuck. that is the story from the horse's mouth!
2006-10-02 11:28:48 · answer #4 · answered by 20fanintx 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He is called smoke because one minute he's here and the next minute he's gone, leaving a trail of smoke behind, kind of like the cartoon character Speedy Gonzalez
2006-10-02 12:45:36 · answer #5 · answered by Nc Jay 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Tony is known for his victory celebrations! First he had amazing burn outs! and now he climbs fences! He is a great driver!
2006-10-02 09:02:39 · answer #6 · answered by thecutelilgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Several ideas but don't know which is right.
1) he runs well enough in all the types racing that he "smokes" the field.
2) he likes to celibrate and he will burn out (as every one does).
Like I said I don't know which is correct.
2006-10-02 11:09:02 · answer #7 · answered by blakree 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because even after he shaves he still has a shadow or smokey appearance to his face. Can you believe he won this weekend, ran out of gas and coasted across the finish line, wow.
2006-10-02 09:04:38 · answer #8 · answered by loser 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
im not sure where it came from but i beleive its been his nick name ever since even before gettin into nascar
2006-10-02 09:24:01 · answer #9 · answered by kydd 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because all you'll see is his smoke :)
2006-10-02 09:32:06 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋