Rico Abreu, known in sprint racing circles, recently offered fresh insight into the Tony Stewart racing perception, aiming to challenge the common understanding of Stewart as merely intimidating. Speaking ahead of his new partnership with Tony Stewart Racing (TSR) for the next sprint season, Abreu highlighted aspects of Stewart’s character that are rarely discussed, suggesting there is more to Stewart than his tough reputation and competitive drive.
Abreu Shares His Experience Working with Tony Stewart
Rico Abreu has spent more than ten years in the orbit of three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, ever since their friendship began at the 2012 Chili Bowl Midget Nationals. While many in motorsports circles see Stewart as notorious for his fierce demeanor and uncompromising style, Abreu believes that this external impression misses the mark. This belief became particularly clear when Abreu, during an interview with Motorsports.com, described Stewart not only as a fierce competitor but as someone who has shown him genuine kindness and encouragement throughout his career.
Their relationship, rooted in racing and camaraderie, was underscored when Abreu faced adversity off the track, including repeated break-ins at his shop. It was during these moments that Stewart stepped up with an offer of support, urging Abreu to work out of Stewart’s own facilities. Abreu recounted instances where Stewart went beyond expectations to foster confidence and respect among drivers, especially those who, like Abreu, may have felt like outsiders at times within the racing community.
“People see the other side of Tony Stewart. The part of him that is a gruff hard a** but all I’ve ever seen from Tony is kindness. Someone kept breaking into our shop, and Tony told me to come over and work out of his place, and I was reluctant to at first.”
– Rico Abreu, Sprint Car Driver
“He always treated me respect. He respected me as a racer. I haven’t always had confidence; as a little person, believing that I fit in here, but he always made me feel like I belonged. I learned a lot about leadership from Tony. And above all else, when we got done doing (Dale Jr. Download), I just sent him a thank you text for all of that because I don’t know that I would have made it without people like him who made me feel welcome here in the first place,” he concluded.
– Rico Abreu, Sprint Car Driver
This deeper account of Stewart’s actions provides valuable perspective for those focused only on his competitive edge. Abreu’s experiences challenge others, including fellow racing professionals like Ryan Blaney, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, and Kyle Larson, to re-examine their perceptions of NASCAR and NHRA personalities.
Stewart’s Racing Evolution: From NASCAR to NHRA Success
Tony Stewart’s career has spanned a wide variety of racing disciplines beyond his years at Stewart-Haas Racing or his ownership of a NASCAR All-Star team. In 2024, Stewart replaced Leah Pruett in her Top Fuel ride, kicking off a new chapter that extended his achievements across motorsport boundaries. By September 2025, Stewart had further enhanced his decorated résumé by winning the NHRA Top Fuel regular season title at Indianapolis Raceway Park, cementing his status among elite drivers who have mastered multiple formats of racing.
Abreu’s partnership with TSR comes at a time when the team is gaining new momentum, showing how Stewart’s leadership and willingness to mentor drivers has impacted the broader racing community, continuing to shape the careers of people like Abreu and many others coming up through sprint and stock car racing series.
Stewart Describes the Divide Between Stock Car and Drag Racing
Expanding on his experience and insight, Tony Stewart joined Kevin Harvick on the “Happy Hour” podcast, sharing firsthand observations about the core differences between NASCAR stock car events and high-intensity NHRA drag racing. Stewart highlighted that NHRA races compress the drama and demand of racing into a matter of seconds, as opposed to NASCAR events that can last hours and test the endurance and skills of drivers and crew alike.
“It’s not like what you and I were used to, where we’ve got a three-and-a-half-hour race. We’ve got six or eight pit stops during the day, and we have three, four, or five hundred laps to get the job done. If we make a mistake, we’re going to fix it.”
– Tony Stewart, Racing Driver & Owner
Stewart went on to explain that, in NASCAR, the outcome largely rests on the driver’s ability, accounting for about seventy percent of performance, while crew input makes up the rest. By contrast, in NHRA drag racing, the car’s preparation, setup, and tuning are much greater factors, meaning the mechanics and technical aspects play a decisive role. Stewart also pointed out another detail: NHRA racing suits are significantly heavier than those used in NASCAR, reflecting the different physical challenges each discipline presents.
The Impact of Changing the Tony Stewart Racing Perception
By speaking openly about his positive interactions with Tony Stewart, Rico Abreu has contributed to a broader understanding of the Stewart-Haas Racing legend as more than just a tough competitor. These accounts encourage fans and those in the racing world to acknowledge Stewart’s leadership, mentorship, and efforts to make motorsports more inclusive for all drivers, regardless of background or stature.
With Abreu joining Tony Stewart Racing for the next sprint season, the relationship between the two, along with Stewart’s proven track record in both stock and drag racing, positions TSR as a force poised for further success. As Stewart continues to cross boundaries between racing series—and as drivers like Abreu rise through the ranks alongside him—the evolving Tony Stewart racing perception will likely influence both the present and future of motorsports.
