Stewart takes a lesson from Foyt.

Byline: Mike Brudenell

HOMESTEAD, Fla. _ If Tony Stewart wins the NASCAR Winston Cup championship Sunday _ and with an 89-point lead over Mark Martin, he should _ he will pay his respects to the usual suspects _ crew, sponsors and mom and dad.

It's the right thing to do, and Stewart is on his best behavior these days after running afoul of NASCAR several times this season.

At 31, Stewart is part man and part schoolboy who has a red-hot temper he is trying hard to control. He is also a lot like another great American driver, one he worships and has styled himself on.

If Stewart becomes part of NASCAR history at Homestead-Miami Speedway this weekend, he probably will chug a beer or three to that good old boy of all good old boys _ A.J. Foyt, driving legend and fighting man …