Tony Stewart Offers Honest But Ugly Admission About His Stewart-Haas Racing Team

Tony Stewart has never been one to sugarcoat what he thinks about anything or anyone. This week, just over a month before the start of the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series season, the Hall of Famer candidly shared his thoughts on his Stewart-Haas Racing team on social media.
Smoke talked about how he's happy with who will be driving for the team this coming season and then made an honest but ugly admission about the organization's struggles in the recent past. With his surprising remarks, SHR fans can't help but wonder about the leadership and the decision-making happening behind the scenes and if there's any chance of it changing in the future before it does irreversible damage.
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[@ncjay08]

I think Stewart Haas' big strength was their technical abilities around building better cars. The new spec car takes away that ability. The Cup series has become a version of the IROC series where everyone runs in identical cars.

[@richreicher2679]

That happened in the 70s...

[@craigpierce7996]

Tony is smart, and he doesn't give a shit about what people think. NASCAR is really going the wrong direction and he knows it. He's getting ready to hang his hat elsewhere, as he should being a world class competitor. NASCAR going woke and expecting woke people to support it in the future is a huge gamble which I doubt will pan out. I, as a long-time fan, find myself just doing other things. Perhaps that is going to happen to Tony.

[@BruceWalker-j1c]

I can see him moving more to the Drag racing side, and less and less with NASCAR.

[@wickedrapidtv4087]

💯

[@davebryant8050]

It has nothing to do with "woke". It has to do with a tight group getting greedy and thinking they were a real sport and abandoned what got them there.

[@craigpierce7996]

@@davebryant8050 The commercials they run endlessly have a woke message. What commercials they use creates a reflection back to NASCAR.

[@Thinksum]

Not getting Larson and Busch have to be the worst decisions ever made by Stewart Hass

[@arenasnow]

There are plenty of good drivers they could have potentially signed at some point like Reddick or Chastain or Jones. They didn't necessarily need one of the major marquee names. Even Stenhouse (who was rumored to be Harvick's replacement for a while) was probably better than their entire lineup next year. The issue is more that they keep hiring below average drivers with attitude because Stewart seems to think having an obnoxious attitude/edgy persona ("telling it like it is") is more important than talent. Going for Gragson over Custer considering what Gragson did last year vs. what Custer did last year was especially annoying, although if they really were a powerhouse team, probably neither of them would be on it if the team had the same standards as Hendrick or Gibbs. It really seems they were only functional as a Hendrick team and once they went to Ford, the team rapidly unraveled. Also, it seems Stewart is less and less involved hands-on as he's getting fascinated with drag racing so the team is pretty much reverting to what Haas was when they were a third-tier Hendrick satellite before Stewart bought into the team.

[@lpbbinc]

​@@arenasnowstenhouse is good, but Briscoe is really good as well. Briscoe will be a stud if he can get the equipment under him

[@ep3686]

Ford wouldn't sign off on Larson

[@ryanaustin1970]

Considering they have literally zero choice with larson and Ford due to legal contracts

[@kharnthebetrayer1575]

Umm he wanted Larson badly, but FORD said No .

[@infoaerialmaster]

Maybe its possible because Stewart was busy starting his own, prime time series that has successfully brought stock car racing back to ESPN.

[@zacharyradford5552]

And then fell right back off.

[@jerryshepherd1645]

Tony has done more for RACING I am talking nascar and dirt track racing (dirt racing the best) Tony done more than all the big wheel at nascar has ever done Tell them the truth give them hell TONY

[@AKHKCZplus]

NASCAR’s entire audience has been caught off guard for nearly 2 decades, and fled too. Fans left, Stewart left.

[@codyperez6481]

People will point towards NHRA and I say please. NHRA is getting more attention because of Stewart and he the happiest (that I’ve seen him) now that he is starting top fuel and even when he was running top alcohol, I was watching nascar for every race when happy went on his rampage but to see happy win 9 times and not get a damn thing in the playoffs ever since then I have just stopped watching nascar. In the NHRA there isn’t any BS. If you win ya win and if you lose ya lose. Just my opinions btw

[@alexmaccain2362]

Kevin?

[@codyperez6481]

@@alexmaccain2362 yea Kevin Harvick

[@steveyork8069]

I disagree.I’m a huge NHRA fan,they don’t show anymore alcohol races now than before Tony started and the Sunday shows are still the same.Actually viewership filled off this year in the ratings.More people might watch this year since he is going to be racing Leah’s car while she is off having their baby.

[@linhunnicutt6556]

I wonder if it’s time for Greg’s LA to go as competition Director. Sometimes new blood as a competition Director can be good and it seems like that’s where SHR is lacking is in competition.

[@stevemansfield3449]

I have always liked Tony Stewart, but I think he, Tony, is the problem at SHR. Tony has been, let’s call it “distracted”, for the last few years. Between starting a new racing league and going full time on the NHRA circuit, among other activities; running a race team seems to have fallen will down on his priority list. I have no idea how much time he is spending at the SHR garage but clearly it’s not a “full time” effort. Before anyone starts saying things like - “Its not as if Tony builds the cars or is responsible for the set up and engineering..”- But Tony is supposed to set the tone in the garage, he is supposed to stay connected to not just his drivers and crew chiefs, but EVERYONE in the organization. He is supposed to be the hand on the tiller that keeps the organization, the garage, the teams, all staying on course, all going in the same direction. I just don’t understand how he can do that but not be in the office, with his teams, 30 or more hours a week. His organization is broken, and with the loss of his 2 veteran drivers his leadership is even more necessary.

[@SPIndy72]

Good take. Couldn't agree more.

[@sportsflashbackofficial]

Great comment!

[@dadadadankable]

Yup and everyone notices stuff like that from their bosses. If your boss isn’t doing his boss duties it definitely affects morale. Morale affects everything heavy. In good and bad. This new gen car showcases exactly what you said. All teams started on the same grounds. SHR isn’t even best of the rest anymore. They’re legit a mid field team.

[@johnhaas2523]

He's never been hands-on. I can tell you Rick Hendrick isn't hands on or Jeff Gordon the same with Roger Penske or Joe Gibbs. Roger Penske isn't at the races every single week because sometimes he's at the car races. Greg zipitelli is the leader and he's been for years

[@callhall-wf3zn]

I really agree that Tony needs to spend more time with his Nascar teams , that always helps with the morel they like to see the boss at the track.

[@neilreid9005]

For me, NASCAR has been done for some years. Tony has a top fuel program which is really exciting and he even made quite the splash at a Cleetus McFarland event at Bristol. Haas is smoking F1 crack, so he's gone. Why not sell the whole project and go fulltime on other things that are truly interesting to both owners?

[@shawnbryson4539]

Stewart/Haas used to be something until Gene Haas got to wrapped up in "F-1" and Tony Stewart went Drag racing "N.H.R.A. " the problem is Tony and Gene have other interests and their nascar teams are suffering I see Dale Earnhardt Jr. Buying s.h.r. charter and moving JR.MOTOR SPORTS into the cup series 😎🇺🇸👍💯🏁

[@davebryant8050]

Jr. is even less interested than Stewart. He doesn't want to risk losing his welfare fortune. Cup racing is done and has been for a couple of decades.

[@4StrokeShop]

I don’t think Tony really cares about NASCAR anymore. Since Ford told him that he couldn’t sign Larson, he hasn’t been at a cup race. Tony certainly doesn’t like the state of NASCAR, I’m not sure you won’t see Tony leave the team when the contracts are up.

[@johnnycroger9851]

Give em Hell Smoke!! Keep doing what you do bud. Talk is cheap.

[@wolfpackstudios3040]

Yall it's not a Stewart issue it's a manufacturer issue. It's been expressed they haven't been getting factory support like in the past. Just watch SHR will swap manufacturers after the 24 or 25 season after the Ford contract is up. I see SHR heading to Toyota also they have already stated they been getting on last cut of parts cause they missed a test session a while back.

[@walkerking3875]

it's all because Ford would not let Stewart sign Kyle Larson in 2021

[@tadroid3858]

I think Stewart's focus in on top-fuel drag racing and family right now. If SHR improves it will be squarely on the shoulders of the people being hired over there.

[@johnhaas2523]

Zippodelli is the one who runs the day to day operations of the racing side Tony never has and other than weekends he isn't around the NHRA team

[@tadroid3858]

@@johnhaas2523 He just announced that he's going to race the top-fuel,and Leah is going to focus on family. It was video on the Stewart-Haas YT channel.

[@johnlayton7596]

I would much rather save my Nascar dollars that I used to spend to go watch local young guns race sprint cars. Watching these young guys that move up to the big time is much more enjoyable

[@kharnthebetrayer1575]

He just needs new people in the front office, Love Zip but it’s time to go and find folks with more experience with the new cars.

[@evilsimeon]

The way nascar operates I’m surprised there are any teams willing to stay with them. I would like it if a stock car series replaced them.

[@Sh3r-Bear]

Bit off topic but, Me & my husband pretty much watch Dirt Track Races rather than NASCAR now. Thanks Tony, I’m so much happier!😊

[@djplayskeys]

This didn’t age well, and a lot of the speculation has been put to rest. SHR is done at the end of 2024. The SRX series is done. Many believe Tony wants to focus on his new life in NHRA with Leah. He still owns Eldora and takes care of it, which takes a lot of energy. Some speculate the ‘caught off guard’ statement was his way of saying he isn’t focused on SHR anymore. I’ve heard that he has been looking to get completely out of NASCAR ever since they started using the single lug wheels - he was one of the earliest critics of it for the safety aspect. The new car’s safety comes into question almost every week since drivers are suffering more significant injuries from the same types of crashes than the previous generation, and that could also be a partial factor in his decision. Thus far Gene Haas has been relatively quiet about the end of SHR, but there have been rumors that he wants to focus resources on the success of his Indycar and F1 teams.

[@zacharyradford5552]

People keep saying Tony Stewart this Tony Stewart that about SHR but in reality Gene Haas is the majority owner.

[@williambowen1771]

Hey smoke. You gonna run the top fuel side into the ground like you did the nascar team?

[@revvyhevvy]

And he comes out guns blazin'!!

[@johnhaas2523]

The top fuel is Tony Stewart Motorsports program not Stewart Haas And how's he going to run it into the ground? He's got the right people He's got the sponsors and Dodge backing

[@haworthlowell805]

Team won the Funny Car championship first year, boy that's running them in the ground, tou NASCAR marks are funny!

[@richardvoegle1221]

Tony to nhra ya we love him

[@kenwilcome3554]

Tony shouldn't even have to be at that shop at that level.A little bit of communication with him should be good.There's more of a problem than tony. He's got a woman now Trying to start a family If I were him I would concentrate on that first.Drag racing second s h r third. The management at S HR should be able to take care of everything.If not fire them.

[@TanTan-hr7uq]

Tony the G

[@c.d.8975]

Tony's biggest mistake was hiring Ryan Preece, pissed away alot of money on that non

[@rickca217]

Honestly, I believe he wants to get out I'm sure him being old school doesn;t like the way Nascar headed.

[@revvyhevvy]

Great post, Kyle!!

[@frankdeangelo6327]

I loved the Current Stewart Haas Logo Alot I don't like this new one at all The One I like the blue color and It has a old school look to it They shouldn't of changed it bad move

[@greggkiest1069]

Well with sadly no improvements for the Chevy teams, Ford and Toyota should have a field day. That alone should help SHR.

[@timmypilkerton2835]

NASCAR won’t let Fords get too far out front. Chase HAS to win a race! Lmao

[@bearmarsh6579]

With Tony Stewart going full time in Drag Racing and Gene Haas full time in Formula 1 where's leadership.

[@SSinister_Grin]

Also wants to start a family at the age of 52... Yikes.

[@kharnthebetrayer1575]

Not like he stopped racing full time , at one time he raced more dirt than cup .

[@bearmarsh6579]

Hopefully SHR can turn it around.

[@bearmarsh6579]

Better late then never...I guess.

[@revvyhevvy]

Maybe a touch of megalomania....and I am a fan of SHR/TSR!!

[@keithwendl8328]

SHR big problem is sponsorship!

[@johnhaas2523]

They've got sponsorship for all four cars for this year They just ain't announcing about Harrison's for Josh and whatever else yet or Bass pro shops and black rifle coffee and maybe Wendy's for Noah

[@Ticona2]

Getting married, going drag racing and putting his efforts to that over NASCAR. Last year no wins, lose Harvick, loss of big money sponsors, Busch and Smithfield, Haas more interested in formula 1, all spells disaster for this team. This ship is sinking and fast, just like the old Roush.

[@johnhaas2523]

They was losing those three sponsors the minute the two drivers left for retirement as some sponsors were not SHR sponsors They were driver sponsors AKA sponsors tied to the drivers

[@TimothyOHare-l6q]

IMHO when SHR went from Chevy to Ford, because Ford had a short lived competitive advantage, they cut their own nose off despite their face!😎

[@miceinoz1181]

They seemed to lose their feet when they changed to ford engines.

[@velvetjones1856]

Haas focused on his unsuccessful F1 team and Tony focussed on his successful drag racing team and also driving there. As he starts driving the T/F car, he will have less time for NASCAR. Plus his racing series switching to ESPN will require more effort, not to mention time spent trying to have a baby.

[@johnhaas2523]

Gene is pretty much out of the picture other than his money and name. It's pretty much all Tony's team and He's put everybody that's in management in their place like zippy and and spend like that before Tony even started drag racing

[@edromeandbrossportsandcoll5706]

Tony’s focus is on the NHRA and Haas on F1 no wonder their NASCAR team sucks

[@johnhaas2523]

Tony's focus is on office teams that he owns So stop f****** believing f****** s*** you want to f****** believe

[@TimRHillard]

This guy hates everything, but especially NASCAR ownership. Oh, and Goodyear. Things will not be better or worse without him. He’s a non factor.

[@John-kx3ng]

The manufacturer or lack of funds have never been the issue, ownership by both parties is.

[@nnglenn]

It dose not matter what anybody says or thinks only what Mr Stewart thinks every body else is arm chair quarter backing and Hot AIR!!

[@alfredhaley848]

SHR has gone down hill the past few years due to Tony stepping away and being more focused on Drag racing.

[@johnhaas2523]

That isn't even true at all

[@mtgone328]

It is obvious that Tony has been distracted by his new wife and new NHRA team and not paying attention to the Nascar team. Either he appoints a team manager that has all his backing or backs away from NHRA until things are truly under control on the Nascar side.

[@tonymorse7178]

Tony's priorities have changed - Just like everyone else's. We navigate thru life - find our fulfillment with experiences. Tony was the IRL champ, NASCAR champ, heavy in the Sprints (winner) and now is enjoying NHRA. and Leah. It's his life, let him do as he pleases with his millions. If he quit altogether - it is his business. not yours

[@scottmoody7052]

Okay so what about in 2021 when we didn't have a new car? What's the excuse there!?!?!?!?!?! It wasn't a red flag to me I called bull crap as soon as he said "caught off guard" more like. " worried about other things and doesn't care" SMH I will probably never see SHR run for a cup championship again... at least not for awhile anyways

[@johnhaas2523]

There was a lot of things NASCAR handicapped a team like SHR from doing With the rule changes to the cars and it hurt SHR because they was so good because of being old school and playing in the gray area. By 2021 it became more of an engineer sport then old school

[@tootall4646]

I don't think Tony's focus is on SHR. I doubt things will improve in 2024, with him moving up to Top Fuel competition and trying to start a family. They also have a weak stable of drivers that have yet to prove their worth. I also don't believe that Ford will be giving them alot of support, with SHR talking about a new manufacturer in 2025.

[@johnhaas2523]

He is focused on everything So shut up and get f****** educated All people like you want to do is f****** speculate

[@acrock21]

lol i watched this and realized at the end that it was old.

[@TimRHillard]

He is trying or has started a new racing league. He will end up hating that as well and quitting it.

[@MoparMissileDivision]

At least the car's in NASCAR are starting to look like real car's again!

[@MichaelGuziak]

>>> *AS TONY HAS ALREADY SAID,,, HE HAS INSTALLED THE CORRECT HUMANS INTO THE CORRECT POSTIONS INSIDE EVERY TEAM.. I HAVE OWNED THREE BUSINESSES.. > IF A CERTAIN PERSON CAN NOT GET THE JOB DONE CORRECTLY THEN IT IS THEIR OWN FAULT,,, NOT TONY..!!!!

[@marksundin202]

Go go 41❤. 4 good run

[@dougcox2537]

Who can blame Tony for looking at NHRA. I didn't hear you say once that the new car is NOT AND I REPEAT IS NOT A STOCK CAR. THESE ARE NOTHING MORE THAN TRANS-AM ROAD RACE / INDY / FORMULA ONE HYBRID THAT COST AROUND $400,000.00 A PIECE BEFORE YOU DROP A ENGINE IN IT. Trans-axles with no drive shaft, one lug wheels. NASCAR controls the horsepower through computers. I only turn the the race on to see how many fans are NOT IN THE STANDS. I know Daytona will be packed, but that's because after being coop up for 3 months it's time to get out. Why don't you do a video on how much NASCAR makes off of the sales of the new car, parts, etc.

[@pczapp827]

Get out of Nascar & stay with NHRA & get more involved with the Haas Machine Technology & less with racing.

[@karlmcgaugh1929]

I disagree. You are making a mountain out of a mole-hill. Drivers and engineers must call the shots when fielding a car that can win every weekend. It's a team effort and pit crews make a big difference, but if the car has speed and the driver wants to win, it's always possible. The Stewart-Haas cars have lacked speed and this makes the driver struggle. Getting the perfect setup trim is a lot of engineering and the art of keeping up with the track conditions. I think the old crew chiefs did not have the mental flexibility to try new adjustments or use more 3rd party track testing to fine tune the possibilities. Tony is busy with drag racing, so he may have let the R&D slip away.

[@TheTheoldmaster]

He’s getting out while the getting is good. NASCAR is dying. Good riddance. Once Penske, Childress, Gibbs and Hendricks die the sports is dead. These old men are hanging on and keeping their little hobby going. Young people don’t care about racing , sponsors are bailing, TV ratings are a dumpster fire. Tony has moved on just like the rest of us have.

[@sandydixson7999]

Tony is an excellent businessman He knows when to get in and he knows when to get out He's doing it now when he has a choice The rest won't they are the losers

[@sandydixson7999]

NASCAR is not going to go down because of fans or drivers GM is going to have a massive layoffs in their massive layoffs is nothing The only thing GM is going to have left are retirees and they don't produce cars The drivers aren't going to lose sponsorship they're going to lose a car to put that sponsorship on No car no sponsorship

[@J.Robinson_]

That was a bunch of nothing

[@TimRHillard]

Did he tell it like it is, when he, um, ran over… well, u know the rest I am sure.

[@brianalbrecht4423]

I think he's had enough with nascar....thats why he's test'n the waters in the NHRA ...!..cant blame him...!..2nd season in the nhra he wins a top alcohol championship...!...so...that shows he still knows how to put an A calaber team together...& "win"...!

[@randynix9805]

let's see you start and run a team. If by chance you can do and predict as well as you criticized and run your mouth on this channel. you'll have a shot at the 24 championship. FJB

[@slipstream7324]

nascar is a joke more owners should go to other series or create their own

[@seen48]

Yeah that caught off guard comment just proves: Tony’s not focused on the Cup or Xfinity teams. He’s focused on his girlfriend and Drag Racing. He must have missed the memo and GIANT meeting they had about it. Well I hope they get their act together this year. I’m still worried about sponsorship dollars. They lost so much with Kevin and Aric leaving.

[@sportsflashbackofficial]

True.

[@shawnstoner7867]

Tony knows Nascar forgot it's roots and is a joke anymore. Their participation award trophies instead of championship trophies drove the fans of true racing away and Tony wants to get gone before Nascar tanks itself with the ridiculous stage crap n playoffs BS. The talent they have now is so far lacking from the talent of the 90s n early to mid 2000s. Now there is so few racers actually wanna go be in Nascar unlike back then it's hard to find good talent. The true drivers n racers n talent don't wanna be in Nascar when their hard work all year n the championship they rightfully deserves gets ripped away from them the last race by some guy who wasn't there all year n had one win so somehow he does good one race the end of the year now hes all the sudden the champ or somehow deserves to be called champion. What a joke Nascar. Good for Stewart for seeing what's coming n getting out. The prob isn't Stewart at all. It's Nascar and the direction they've gone forgetting their roots and bringing forth way less talent because of such.

[@mtibbs4362]

Cole should be in #4 not berry as a SHR fan it pissed me off just saying

[@johnhaas2523]

Cole was never considered for the four car Rodney and Kevin were looking/wanting Josh for the 4 car as far back as late 2020 if go listen to Josh Jones from KHI management when He was on a dirty mo media podcast with Mike Davis and Kelly Earnhardt Miller back in the fall or summer.

[@chrismv9203]

ive been volcal about this for months

[@davidnovicki2416]

If SHR is to rise to the place it once was it's going to take a greater effort on Tony's part. He's been distracted by his other endeavors. If he recoments to cup racing his employees will too and they'll become competive again.

[@johnhaas2523]

Tony is just as committed as he's ever been. And all the employees know it zippy is the one who runs things as for years As Tony is never hands on And every single team he owns is run the same way

[@chrisbutton6553]

They will bounce back. I predict Noah will have a breakout year.

[@f1sherman52]

RIP Kevin Ward JR

[@waynehorn5181]

Tony is racing, he has oil pumping through those veins, NASCAR isn’t NASCAR anymore! It’s a joke! Driving around in circles with no old time fender banging, tire cutting down tricks that made it! All the BEST drivers retired in the newsrooms! Tony has a kick ass NHRA team with Hagen, his wife Pruitt and Tony also racing. Plus owns how many tracks? To all that bash Tony.. your clueless about his enthusiasm of racing!! ✌🏽😎

[@arthurlambert6418]

He should be in jail for killing that kid

[@Jeff-rh8mq]

Nobody cares...........Nascar sucks!

[@Dennistadpole]

To me Nascar has control of every piece on the car and that to me does not make for good racing.

[@tomsmith5216]

And now Stewart Haas is no more...

[@racinjasonjacoby]

No one cares that a racing team can't win. There are people who actually suffer from real problems. People need to take care of themselves and their families well before they start giving their money to selfish racing teams and drivers.

[@billsmith9737]

Jesus man get a grip .. I’ve read some of your posts … get on some medication… why come on a nascar channel and bitch about the price .look around everything is expensive.. if you don’t want to go to a race don’t go .. stop being a Debbie downer for everyone else

[@paratrooperlane7022]

Tony Stewart the man who killed Kevin Ward Jr.

[@nathanjarrell6479]

This video is click bait and a waste. Won't make the same mistake again watching this trash.

[@larryroberts4984]

You guys better get in the program EV is the future.

[@Clyde-2055]

So are the Chinese …

[@Stuart1969-f1j]

Denny coming into the pits on routine stop, driving an EV. " I need a little more charge in the rear battery, believe the front battery is OK for now. What's our strategy for charging batteries on next stop Cliff ?". Guess EVs will definitely eliminate the "crank it up " segment that FOX started. Oh well.

[@EricSmith-gn7nd]

He’s the problem.

[@toddw6716]

He got whipped by a woman. He doesn’t care anymore about nascar.

[@lorenhoss4587]

So true lol

[@claudebullis1593]

Also known for killing a guy and getting away with it.

[@Stuart1969-f1j]

Had forgot about that. You know the old saying "you can get as much justice as you can afford". Imagine Smoke has been able to afford a lot of justice for decades.

[@ogdragracing]

Only if they can drive a funny car

[@haworthlowell805]

Matt won the championship their first year. Looks pretty good to me; but then I'm not a NASCAR mark!

[@mustangracer5124]

I want to return this giant nothing burger

[@kevinkelley3906]

I am so glad I'm going to Ross Chastain now that KH is gone.

[@revvyhevvy]

Whatever......

[@daleolson3506]

NASCAR is garbage

[@tlten1771]

One small word. RETIRE

[@johnjohnson9658]

Tony was so skilled he was able to take a guy out that was standing on the track to point at him from an earlier incident making it look accidental was his genious Karma will follow this devil for the rest of his days !

[@lagh84]

Getting away with murder = Bad MoJo.

[@sametozkan9175]

Murderer

[@scottbaxendale323]

Tony should be in prison for killing a kid.

[@craigmaverick]

🤦‍♂️

[@mastercarl9674]

Nascar so boring. Lack. Of good drivers