NASCAR legend Tony Stewart has reacted to a new video featuring Dale Earnhardt Jr. as he hits the track with Cleetus McFarland. In the clip, Dale Jr. drives McFarland’s drag racing truck, aptly named the Dale Truck, a nod to the iconic #3 NASCAR car driven by his late father, Dale Earnhardt Sr.
Known as “Smoke,” Tony Stewart is a prominent figure in the racing world, with a career that covers both NASCAR and IndyCar. Having secured championships in both series, he remains the only driver to achieve such a feat, with his IndyCar success coming in 1997. Stewart’s NASCAR career spanned from 1999 to 2016, during which he won three Cup Series championships in 2002, 2005, and 2011. Notably, he clinched the 2011 title as an owner-driver with his team, Stewart-Haas Racing. In addition, he started Tony Stewart Racing in 2000 and owns Eldora Speedway, maintaining a net worth of approximately $90 million, according to celebritynetworth.com.
In a press conference prior to his NHRA race, Tony Stewart discussed his thoughts on the collaboration between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Cleetus McFarland. This partnership took place in April when the duo completed a practice lap around the Talladega Superspeedway. With Dale Jr. having an impressive record of six Talladega Cup Series race wins, including four consecutive victories from 2001 to 2003, his expertise proved invaluable. During this session, Junior shared his knowledge with McFarland on qualifying techniques, various pit strategies essential for success at Talladega, and mastering the unique driving lines on the track. This instructional lap occurred just days ahead of Cleetus McFarland’s much-anticipated debut in the ARCA Menards Series at the speedway.
Reflecting on his own career, Tony Stewart recalled skepticism surrounding his decision to leave Joe Gibbs Racing to co-found Stewart-Haas Racing in 2009. Many doubted his ability to thrive as a driver-owner, anticipating he would struggle to win again. However, he turned the tide by winning the All-Star Race that same year, driving the No. 14 chevrolet/”>Chevrolet, and proving his critics wrong. During a recent interview, Stewart expressed how that victory represented a significant milestone not just for him, but for his entire team, who had yet to secure a Cup Series race win prior to this achievement.
Stewart-Haas Racing has since emerged as one of NASCAR’s top teams, amassing 69 Cup Series wins and 28 Xfinity Series victories before closing its operations after the 2024 season. The closing of this chapter raises questions about the future of racing, the legacy of storied figures like Tony Stewart, and the new path for teams as the sport continues to evolve. As the excitement around Dale Jr. and Cleetus McFarland grows, it will be intriguing to watch how this collaboration impacts their careers and the broader NASCAR community.
