Tony Stewart Reportedly Exploring Ownership Stake in NASCAR Amid Strategic Shifts
As NASCAR undergoes a period of transformation, industry insiders are closely watching reports that Hall of Fame driver and team owner Tony Stewart may be eyeing a stake in the sport’s top-level business operations. While no official announcement has been made, multiple sources familiar with the matter suggest that Stewart’s potential involvement is being discussed behind closed doors, signaling a possible return to NASCAR in a new, high-powered role.
Stewart, a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and co-owner of Stewart-Haas Racing (SHR), is no stranger to the inner workings of the business side of motorsports. Since stepping away from full-time driving in 2016, he has expanded his influence across multiple racing platforms including co-founding the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) and investing heavily in grassroots motorsports. Now, speculation is mounting that Stewart could extend his footprint by acquiring a partial ownership stake in NASCAR itself or aligning with private equity interests eyeing a future restructuring of the sport’s governance model.
These reports come at a pivotal moment for NASCAR. The France family, who has maintained control of the organization since its founding in 1948, has faced increasing pressure to modernize the sport’s business model and improve long-term financial sustainability. Recent strategic moves including the 2024 merger of NASCAR’s media rights under a $7.7 billion deal with FOX, NBC, Amazon, and Warner Bros. Discovery have opened the door to new investment opportunities and structural shifts within the organization.
Industry analysts say that Stewart’s experience as both a champion driver and a successful team executive makes him a compelling figure for such a role.
“Tony Stewart knows this sport from every angle,” said a motorsports financial analyst who asked to remain anonymous. “If he’s involved in any future equity reshuffling, it wouldn’t be just symbolic—it would be strategic.”
Additionally, SHR has faced notable challenges in recent seasons, including declining on-track performance and sponsorship volatility. Some observers believe that Stewart’s rumored interest in a broader ownership role may be tied to long-term succession planning or a possible transition away from team operations.
Whether these conversations result in formal ownership or not, Stewart’s potential involvement reflects a broader trend within NASCAR: an increasing openness to leadership figures who blend on-track legacy with business acumen.
For now, neither Stewart nor NASCAR officials have commented publicly on the matter. But for a sport looking to balance its rich heritage with future innovation, the return of “Smoke” at the executive level could be one of its boldest moves yet.