tony stewartCHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Tony Stewart, walking without a limp for the first time in 18 months, declared himself pain-free and never more eager to start a season.

After a tumultuous two seasons that affected him both physically and mentally, the three-time NASCAR champion said Tuesday his troubles are behind him and he finally feels like the old Smoke again.

His chance to prove it begins next month at Daytona International Speedway, where Stewart will climb back into his No. 14 Chevrolet for the first time since November, when his 15-year winning streak in the Sprint Cup Series came to an end.

He failed to win a race for the first time since his 1999 rookie season.

allstarschampions Stewart has purchased the All Star Circuit of Champions Sprint Car Series, one of the oldest, traveling winged sprint car tours in the country.

Stewart has also reached a separate deal with Rob Hunter and Shane Helms, principals of the Renegade Sprint Series, that will merge both series together under the All Star Circuit of Champions banner beginning this year.

The acquisition is just the latest in Stewart’s growing portfolio.

The three-time NASCAR champion also owns Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, and fields two World of Outlaws cars out of Tony Stewart Racing. He also is co-owner of NASCAR’s four-team Stewart-Haas Racing, which won the Sprint Cup title last season with Kevin Harvick.