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Smoke shines during Speedweeks but so far has been overshadowed by teammate Danica Patrick

Associated Press
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Tony Stewart prepares to go out onto the track during practice for the NASCAR Daytona 500 Sprint Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Saturday, Feb. 16, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart waits his turn for a television interview during NASCAR media day at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 14, 2013, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (The Associated Press)

Tony Stewart typically shines during Speedweeks, the nine-day period when he cements himself as a top contender to win the Daytona 500.

He's back in the spotlight this year, but not the way he's been in the past.

Stewart has so far been overshadowed by Danica Patrick, who drove a Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet to the pole in qualifying for the Daytona 500.

It's made Patrick, not Stewart, the star so far at Daytona.

As Patrick's car owner, Stewart is just fine with that. Plus, the three-time NASCAR champion has his sights on something bigger: finally winning the Daytona 500. Stewart is winless in "The Great American Race" in 14 career starts.

Stewart has won Daytona's July Cup race four times, and has 18 career victories at the track.