Tony Stewart, NASCAR Hall of Famer and three-time Cup Series champion, voiced intense frustration this week, declaring that the Daytona 500 no longer carries the prestige it once did. Speaking candidly on the Rubbin’ Is Racing podcast, Stewart argued that the race’s reputation has changed dramatically, explaining that true champions now miss out while drivers with less consistent records claim victory. He emphasized that, unlike 15 or 20 years ago during NASCAR’s heyday, the stature of being a Daytona 500 winner no longer automatically signals greatness.
During his interview, Tony Stewart shared his belief that recent winners of the iconic Great American Race fall short of the elite status once associated with past champions. Without naming individuals directly, Stewart criticized how recent Daytona 500 contests have frequently ended with unexpected outcomes—often the result of last-lap wrecks and caution-filled conclusions. He maintained that this unpredictability has allowed less accomplished drivers, many with only a handful of wins, to secure the Harley J. Earl Trophy at the expense of the sport’s most dominant racers.
It just doesn’t feel like the best are coming out on top anymore,
Tony Stewart said, his tone underscored by visible disappointment. He pointed out that, since Kurt Busch’s win in 2017, not one Daytona 500 winner has captured the Cup Series championship. Even Denny Hamlin, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and possible Hall of Famer, feels like an outlier among recent victors. Stewart specifically referenced William Byron’s 2025 triumph as an example, where a last-lap crash cleared the way for an unexpected winner instead of rewarding a season-long leader.
Tony Stewart’s frustrations are partially rooted in his own history with the race. Despite 17 attempts at the Daytona 500, the trophy eluded him, his closest shot being a runner-up finish to Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2004. Stewart openly admitted he would trade some race wins for a Daytona 500 title, though never one of his three championships, highlighting the bitter prestige the race once held for drivers of his caliber.
While Tony Stewart concedes the Daytona 500 remains NASCAR’s marquee event, he is adamant its stature has diminished, with true champions often left out. Stewart’s opinions reflect those of several other legendary drivers—including Mark Martin and Kyle Busch—who have similarly watched the iconic trophy slip through their fingers. His comments underline the growing debate among fans and insiders about the direction of NASCAR’s biggest race, raising questions about what value a Daytona 500 win truly represents for today’s competitors and how future champions might reclaim the event’s historic significance.
