Tony Stewart's awesome Aussie adventure draws to a close

Tony Stewart has returned from Australia, where he spent the turn of the decade getting ... well, frankly, getting knocked around the track by a bunch of Aussies.

Not that it mattered; Smoke was welcomed in Australia like a conquering hero. (Check that dramatic shot there at right, with Smoke's ride on the right and the world-famous Sydney Opera House on the left.) 

Stewart ran at the Tyrepower Paramatta City Raceway for four events, and while he didn't win anything, he did impress everybody with his Sprint car skills. In his final race, he ran the fastest time in qualifying, but blew a tire and finished 19th. Ah, well. (No truth to the rumor that Smoke was confused because he thought cars circled the track in the opposite direction Down Under.)

Stewart also got to the fireworks in Sydney on New Year's Eve, which, judging by YouTube, were pretty spectacular. He's already apparently making plans to return next year, where we expect VICTORY, Smoke! U-S-A! U-S-A! 

After the jump, you can check out the muck that Smoke was running through, courtesy of an Australian local broadcast:

Kind of cool seeing Tony back in the black-and-orange in the postrace interview, isn't it? Like a throwback uni or something.