Once known as the sport’s baddest bad boy, Tony Stewart has crossed over from the dark side to become NASCAR’s class clown.

The former champion is scheduled to deliver the 3rd annual Stewie Awards live from the Rio Las Vegas on Sirius Radio this Thursday, December 3rd at 10pm.

The Stewie Awards, obviously named after Smoke himself, acknowledge the best, funniest and sometimes downright strange moments, one example being Carl Edwards losing a fight with a Frisbee, of the most recent NASCAR season.

While watching the Oscars or the Country Music Awards, it is no surprise to see award titles such as “Best Original Drama” or “Best Vocal Performance”, but for a NASCAR awards show? Not really what you would expect.

But, Stewart, in his new comedic role, shows his true colors with those awards; Best Original Drama going to the year’s most exciting race moment and Best Vocal Performance honoring the most memorable quote of the season.

Other awards for this year’s ceremony include: Best Stunt Sequence, also known as the Hal Needham Award named for the legendary stuntman and “Smokey and the Bandit” director, Best Original Comedy, Bonehead Move of the Year, Best Engineering and Special Effects, also known as the Smokey Yunick Award named after the famous car designer, “I Got Dumped” Award, Best Driver2Crew Chatter and the new “Feels Like The First Time” Award.

Stewart and co-host Matt Yocum will also present the Golden Stewie Award to a driver from the Golden Era of racing and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

The same series of awards was presented last year, excluding the new “Feels Like The First Time” Award. However, during the inaugural show, two other awards were given but have since been discontinued; the awards for Best Duet and the New Kid on the Track Award were only used in 2007.

This year’s nominees include Edwards for his flip at Talladega in the Spring and the unfortunate Frisbee accident, NASCAR dad Tom Logano for his altercation with Greg Biffle at Fontana, Kyle Busch for multiple awards including his destruction of the race winning trophy at Nashville, and Juan Pablo Montoya for his “NASCAR screwed me” quote after his speeding penalty at Indianapolis.

With awards like these, the show promises to be no less than hilarious.

For a full list of the awards and nominees or to cast your vote, visit http://www.sirius.com/stewieawards. Today, December 2nd is the final day to vote before the polls close.

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