Stewart wins Poker Tournament: #20-Tony Stewart defeated Penske Racing South's Ryan Newman to capture the Michael Waltrip Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Palms Casino, according to a Dodge press release. Twelve participants began playing Monday night in the Texas Hold 'Em event in which each driver played on behalf of his favorite charity, and the field was cut to six for last night's final session. Chip Ganassi Racing driver Casey Mears finished third after going all in against Dale Earnhardt Inc.'s Dale Earnhardt Jr.(NASCAR Scene Daily Newsletter)(2-3-2005)
TV SPEED Channel taped the Michael Waltrip Celebrity Poker Tournament at the Palms Casino in Las Vegas this week for a special to be broadcast at a date to be determined ... will get you more information as dates and times are set. Players in the popular Texas Hold'em tournament included NASCAR's Michael Waltrip, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Tony Stewart, Benny Parsons, Casey Mears, Brian Vickers, Ryan Newman, Kyle Petty, Elliott & Hermie Sadler. Speed Channel put up the $100,000 prize money, with half going to Petty's Victory Junction Gang Camp through Waltrip's "Operation Marathon" and the other half going to the charity of the winner's choice.(Speed Channel), see images of the drivers at the tourney at RacingWest.com.(2-3-2005)