Tony Stewart Slams NASCAR in Explosive Interview—‘This Isn’t Racing Anymore’
In a jaw-dropping interview that’s already sending shockwaves through the racing world, NASCAR legend Tony Stewart has finally said what many have whispered behind closed doors: “This isn’t racing anymore.”
The three-time Cup Series champion didn’t hold back during a candid sit-down on a motorsports podcast earlier this week. Stewart, known for his fiery personality and deep roots in dirt track and stock car racing, unloaded on the current state of NASCAR—its direction, its leadership, and what he sees as the slow death of true racing.
“It’s a show now,” Stewart said bluntly. “They’re more worried about TV deals, stage breaks, and who’s trending on social media than they are about real, hard-nosed racing. That’s not the NASCAR I grew up in. That’s not what I bled for.”
The interview quickly began trending across motorsports forums and social media, with fans both applauding and criticizing Stewart for his unfiltered take. But anyone who’s followed his career knows this isn’t the first time he’s spoken his mind—and probably won’t be the last.
‘It’s All Manufactured Drama’
One of Stewart’s sharpest criticisms targeted the introduction of stage racing and constant rule changes.
“Stage racing? That’s not strategy, that’s a gimmick,” he said. “They’re manufacturing drama instead of letting it happen naturally. It’s like we’re watching reality TV instead of a sport.”
He also voiced concern about NASCAR’s recent push toward street races and “experimenting for ratings,” saying it’s eroding the identity of the sport.
“I’m not against trying new things,” Stewart said, “but when you start trading the roots of NASCAR for attention-grabbing sideshows, you lose the soul of the sport. We were built on short tracks, not street circuits with techno concerts in the background.”
Stewart on the Next Gen Car: ‘It’s a Spec Series Now’
Another major point of frustration for Stewart was the Next Gen car, introduced with the goal of improving parity and reducing costs. But Stewart believes it’s had the opposite effect.
“It’s a spec series now,” he said, clearly frustrated. “Everyone’s running the same thing, and it takes the craftsmanship and innovation out of it. Teams used to build their own identities, their own cars. That’s how legends were made.”
He continued, “Now it’s just plug-and-play. It’s like putting a bunch of robots in the same uniform and expecting fans to care who wins.”
‘The Fans Deserve Better’
Despite his criticisms, Stewart made it clear that his frustrations come from a place of passion—for the sport, for its history, and especially for the fans.
“The fans are the ones getting screwed here,” he said. “They’re loyal. They’re the backbone of this whole thing. And they’re being fed this watered-down version of what used to be the most thrilling sport in America.”
He called on NASCAR leadership to “take a long, hard look at where this is headed” and listen to the drivers who’ve been around long enough to know what’s changed—and what’s missing.
Will Tony Stewart Return to Fix It?
When asked if he’d ever return to a more hands-on role in NASCAR to help fix what he sees as a broken system, Stewart left the door cracked open.
“I’ve got my hands full with SRX and dirt racing, where the passion is still alive,” he said. “But if the right people wanted to have a real conversation—hell yeah, I’d show up.”
Racing Community Reacts
Reaction to the interview was immediate and intense. Some fans praised Stewart for “saying what everyone’s thinking,” while others felt he was being too harsh or nostalgic for a past that’s gone.
“Tony Stewart doesn’t sugarcoat anything. That’s why we love him,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“He’s out of touch. NASCAR had to evolve,” another replied.
But whether you agree with him or not, one thing is clear: when Smoke talks, people listen.
And this time?
He may have just lit the match NASCAR can’t afford to ignore.